Synthesis and characterization of a novel hydroxy telechelic polyfluoroether to enhance the properties of HTPB solid propellant binders

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces. A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects Physicochemical and engineering aspects, 2022-09, Vol.648, p.129199, Article 129199
• Main Authors: Zhang, Wenshuo, Zhang, Tao, Liu, Huihui, Zheng, Yuewei, Zhong, Yuye, Wang, Guannan, Zhu, Qing, Liu, Xinghai, Zhang, Luyao, Li, Houbin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Block polymerization; HTPB; Hydroxy telechelic polyfluoroether; Propellant binder
• ISSN: 0927-7757; 1873-4359
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.129199

As the most commonly used polymer binder for solid propellants, it is of great significance to modify hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) to obtain improved low-temperature behavior and mechanical properties. A novel hydroxy telechelic polyfluoroether (HTPF) was synthesized by cationic ring-opening polymerization of fluorine-containing epoxides (FPO). HTPF was introduced into HTPB polyurethane to enhance the mechanical behavior and thermodynamic properties of the elastomer. As a result, the microphase-separated structure of the polyurethane was optimized and the bonding effect with the aluminum powder became tighter. The tensile strength and elongation at break were increased by 94.69% and 197.49% after adding aluminum powder, respectively. For thermodynamic properties, the stability property in a wider temperature range was maintained up to 467.2 ℃, and the glass transition temperature (Tg) was lowered by 5.6 ℃. Therefore, block polymerization of fluorinated polyethers with HTPB proved to be a promising scheme to obtain advanced propellant binders. [Display omitted]