EPDM rocket motor insulation
AssigneeAlliant Techsystems Inc.
InventorsDavid G. Guillot, Albert R. Harvey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A novel and improved EPDM formulation for a solid propellant rocket motor is described wherein hexadiene EPDM monomer components are replaced by alkylidene norbornene components, and, with appropriate adjustment of curing and other additives, functionally required rheological and physical characteristics are achieved with the desired compatibility with any one of a plurality of solid filler materials, e.g., powder silica, carbon fibers or aramid fibers, and with appropriate adhesion and extended storage or shelf-life characteristics.
Claims20
A rocket assembly comprising a rocket motor component insulated by an elastomeric insulation cured from an EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) terpolymer composition, the EPDM terpolymer composition comprising:
- a primary EPDM terpolymer formulated from ethylene, propylene, and an alkylidene norbornene;
- polyisoprene;
- aramid staple fibers;
- and
- a curing agent,
- wherein the elastomeric insulation insulates the rocket motor component.
A method for insulating a rocket motor component, comprising:
- providing a rocket motor component;
- preparing an elastomeric insulation comprising aramid staple fibers by curing a primary EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) terpolymer and polyisoprene with a curing agent, the primary EPDM terpolymer being formed from ethylene, propylene, and an alkylidene norbornene;
- and
- insulating the rocket motor component with the elastomeric insulation.
A rocket assembly comprising a rocket motor component insulated by an elastomeric insulation cured from an EPDM (ethylene propylenediene monomer) terpolymer composition, the EPDM terpolymer composition comprising:
- a primary EPDM terpolymer formulated from ethylene, propylene, and an alkylidene norbornene;
- a secondary polar polymer;
- at least one filler selected from the group consisting of silica and carbon fibers;
- and
- a curing agent,
- wherein the elastomeric insulation insulates the rocket motor component.
A method for insulating a rocket motor component, comprising:
- providing a rocket motor component;
- preparing an elastomeric insulation comprising at least one filler selected from the group consisting of silica and carbon fibers by curing a primary EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) terpolymer and a secondary polar polymer with a curing agent, the primary EPDM terpolymer being formed from ethylene, propylene, and an alkylidene norbornene;
- and
- insulating the rocket motor component with the elastomeric insulation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.