Study of Zirconium and Ammonium Perchlorate Based Igniter for Composite Solid Base Bleed Propellant

 Abstract —Ammonium perchlorate and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (AP/HTPB) based solid composite base bleed (BB) propellant is used in BB units of modern artillery projectiles. An igniter is very vital part of BB unit for ignition and reignition of BB grain of projectile after muzzle exit. Very high energy igniter compositions based on Ammonium perchlorate (AP) and Zirconium (Zr) were developed with and without gum arabic as binder. Different ratios of Zr/AP were studied for pressure-time (P-t) curve, pressure maximum (P max ), rate of change of pressure (dP/dt), time to reach P max (t Pmax ), calorific value, and burning rate. It was observed that composition Z-7 with 50 wt. % of Zr and 50 wt. % AP having 6.5 wt. % of binder (additional) gave good burning rate, P max , dP/dt and heat of reaction. Selected composition was filled in igniter cups and of igniter bodied developed for BB unit of 155 mm Extended Range Base Bleed (ERBB) artillery projectile. Several igniters were fired by electronic ignition to recording burning time, igniter mass burning rate and ignition