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US 6,606,852 B1Granted
Rocket motor insulation containing hydrophobic particles
AssigneeAlliant Techsystems Inc.
InventorsAlbert R. Harvey, John W. Ellertson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rocket motor insulation including an elastomer base polymer is improved in its processability by the addition of silica particles treated with a hydrophobic coating. The insulation also preferably includes a metallic coagent cross-linker, which when used in combination with the hydrophobic silica particles increases the tear strength and the elasticity of the insulation, while at the same time not adversely affecting the bonding characteristics of the insulation.
Claims20
A rocket motor assembly comprising:
- a case having a combustion chamber;
- a nozzle in operative relationship with the case;
- at least one solid propellant loaded in the combustion chamber of the case;
- and
- an elastomeric rocket motor insulation interposed between the case and the at least one solid propellant, the elastomeric rocket motor insulation comprising:
- at least one ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, the EPDM rubber being formed from an EPDM polymer cured with at least one peroxide curative and at least one curative coagent, the at least one curative coagent comprising a polyfunctional metal salt for forming organometallic cross-link bonds in the EPDM rubber;
- and
- filler comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of silica particles and silicate particles, the filler being treated with at least one hydrophobic surface agent.
5 more elements
A rocket motor assembly comprising:
- a case having a combustion chamber;
- a nozzle in operative relationship with the case;
- at least one solid propellant loaded in the combustion chamber of the case;
- and
- an elastomeric rocket motor insulation interposed between the case and the at least one solid propellant, the elastomeric rocket motor insulation comprising:
- at least one elastomer, the at least one elastomer being formed from at least one organic polymer cured with at least one peroxide curative and at least one curative coagent, the at least one curative coagent comprising a polyfunctional metal salt for forming organometallic cross-link bonds;
- and
- filler comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of silica particles and silicate particles, the filler being treated with at least one hydrophobic surface agent.
5 more elements
A method for making a rocket motor assembly, comprising:
- cross-linking at least one ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) rubber with at least one peroxide curative and at least one curative coagent in the presence of a filler to form an elastomeric rocket motor insulation, the at least one curative coagent comprising a polyfunctional metal salt for forming organometallic cross-link bonds in the at least one EPDM rubber, the filler comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of silica particles and silicate particles, the filler being treated with at least one hydrophobic surface agent;
- and
- preparing a rocket motor assembly containing the elastomeric rocket motor insulation, the rocket motor assembly comprising a case having a combustion chamber, a nozzle in operative relationship with the case, at least one solid propellant loaded in the combustion chamber of the case, and the elastomeric rocket motor insulation interposed between the case and the at least one solid propellant.
A method for making a rocket motor assembly, comprising:
- cross-linking at least one organic polymer with at least one peroxide curative and at least one curative coagent in the presence of a filler to form an elastomeric rocket motor insulation, the at least one curative coagent comprising a polyfunctional metal salt for forming organometallic cross-link bonds, the filler comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of silica particles and silicate particles, the filler being treated with at least one hydrophobic surface agent;
- and
- preparing a rocket motor assembly containing the elastomeric rocket motor insulation, the rocket motor assembly comprising a case having a combustion chamber, a nozzle in operative relationship with the case, at least one solid propellant loaded in the combustion chamber of the case, and the elastomeric rocket motor insulation interposed between the case and the at least one solid propellant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.