• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.229-232
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• 2006

Two novel synthetic route proposed for Hydro-Terminated Poly(EO-ran-THF) and tri-block(PEC-PTHF-PEG) copolymer by cationic ring-opening polymerization of tetrahydrofuran(THF) and ethylene oxide(EO) and just by polymerization of EO on poly-THF, respectively. Polyurethane was synthesized from random and tri-block HTPE using N-100/IPDI mixture as curing agent, and TPB(Triphenylbismuth) as catalyst. The mechanical properties of resultant polyurethane after mixing with various ratio of isocyanate was also investigated. Finally, the post treatment process of HTPE based on amount of catalyst used in the synthesis was studied, to evaluate the optimum curing condition for the polyurethane propellant binder.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.129-140
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• 2024

This study evaluates the ratio of Toluene di-isocyanate (TDI) functional group isocyanate (NCO) to the binder functional hydroxyl group (OH) in HTPB/AP/Al-based propellants on their mechanical properties, flow rate, and viscosity to determine the limitations of NCO/OH in the composition of solid propellants. The propellants consisted of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) polyurethane (PU), aluminum (Al) and tri-modal ammonium perchlorate (AP). The tri-modal AP consisted of 30% of coarse AP, 30% of medium AP, and 8% of fine AP. The ratio of NCO/OH varies from 0.73 to 0.85, with two binder percentages of 10.5% and 12%. An increase in NCO/OH ratio with 10.5% binder provided 20%, 95%, and 8 to 9% increments in UTS, modulus, and hardness, respectively. However, the propellant elongation, density, and flow rate decreased by 170%, 0.2%, and 11-12%, respectively. Viscosity increased 20% based on initial hour reading. The 12% binder provides 27%, 47%, and 5~6% an increment of UTS, modulus and hardness respectively. However, the propellant elongation, density, and flow rate decreased by 47%, 0.17% and 27%, respectively. The viscosity increased 30% based on initial hour reading. This study suggests the NCO/OH value of 0.77 and 10.5~11% binder content in propellant based on the mechanical properties, flow rate, and viscosity for better processing and pot life.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.231-236
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• 2008

The well-defined copolymers derived from Epichlorohydrin(ECH), Tetrahydrofuran(THF) were synthesized by Cationic ring-opening polymerization(CROP) with 1,4-Butandiol, a initiator, and $BF_3THF$ Complex, a catalyst via Activated monomer mechanism, which could lead to hydroxyl-terminated polyethers. The molecular weight of polymers were dependant on the ratio of [monomer]/[diol], Copolymer structures were controlled by monomers feed ratio, ECH and THF added. This polymers were functionalized from Chlorine group to Azide group using $S_N2$ reaction. Synthesized polymers were found to be as the prepolymer for polyurethane. Polyurethane was synthesized in the presence of N-100/IPDI mixture, a curing agent, and TPB(triphenyl bismuth)/MA(Maleic anhydride) mixture, a catalyst system. The curing behavior and mechanical properties of polyurethane after mixing with various prepolymer’s composition and the molecular weight were studied.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.417-421
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• 2005

Novel two synthetic technics using cationic ring-opening copolymerization of tetrahydrofuran (THF) and ethylene oxide (EO), or just polymerized EO on Poly-THF, could lead to random hydroxyl-terminated poly(EO-ran-THF) or tri-block PEG-PTHF-PEC, respectively. These reactions were carried out using $BF_3O(C_2H_5)_2$ as catalyst, 1,4-butanediol or PTHF as diol initiator. Copolymer structures were controlled by monomer feed ratio, or initial PTHF and EO monomer added amount. The molecular weight of polymer was merely dependant on the ratio of [monomer]/[diol], but not on catalyst. Well-defined random and block hydroxyl-terminated copolyether was found to be as the prepolymer for the propellant binder from the experiment to polyurethane with them.