• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.26-32
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• 2015

In this study, it is evaluated for fracture toughness to analyze crack resistance properties of particulate reinforced composite propellant. Fracture toughness test using WST specimen is conducted by temperature conditions from $50^{\circ}C$ to $-60^{\circ}C$. Evaluation method for fracture toughness calculated using an equation suggested by ASTM E399 with linear elastic fracture mechanics. From these result, splitting loads and stress intensity factors of propellant increase according to decrease of test temperature. Also, the strain fields of specimen surface using digital image correlation increase as temperature decreased from $50^{\circ}C$ to $-40^{\circ}C$, but it sharply decreases at $-60^{\circ}C$ because of brittle behavior.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.29-34
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• 2014

Particulate reinforced composite is composed of hard particles and polymer matrix. This material has been widely applied for engineering industry such as automobile, construction and aerospace. For the safe application, it is important to assess crack resistance behavior. Especially in aerospace industry, crack could cause significant problem when the material is used for solid rocket fuel. Therefore, it is inevitable to estimate the characteristics of the crack propagation. In this study, crack propagation tests were conducted using particulate reinforced composite under crosshead rate 2.54 mm/min in the range of temperature $-60^{\circ}C$ to $60^{\circ}C$. The strain contour of surface for specimen was generated using digital image correlation method.