Kinetic Analysis and Thermal Safety Evaluation of CL-20 Modified HTPB Propellants: Optimization of Energetic Performance and Stability
摘要
To investigate the effect of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) content on the thermal decomposition characteristics of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) composite solid propellant, four HTPB-based propellant formulations with 0–10mass% CL-20 loading were prepared. The thermal decomposition behavior of the propellants was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at heating rates of 1–4 K·min⁻1. Using the advanced kinetics and thermal simulation (AKTS) software platform, we performed kinetic analysis and thermal safety evaluation by combining the Kissinger integral method and Friedman differential method. DSC results revealed that CL-20 primarily affected the AP decomposition stage in HTPB propellant, with its content significantly altering the thermal decomposition temperature. A low CL-20 content (2–5mass%) delayed thermal decomposition, while a high content (10mass%) accelerated thermal runaway and advanced the process. A nonlinear relationship was observed between the content of CL-20 and the activation energy (Ea). Low CL-20 content reduced the system's Ea, whereas high content increased it. In addition, adiabatic safety assessment indicated that high CL-20 content reduced the material's adiabatic decomposition temperature. An optimal CL-20 content (2–5mass%) enhanced thermal stability by modifying the decomposition pathway, whereas excessive CL-20 induced free radicals reactions, thereby compromising system safety. This study provides a theoretical basis for optimizing CL-20 content (2–5mass%) in HTPB propellants to balance energy output and thermal safety.