Abstract
In the study of heterogeneous propellants that contain large amounts of fine aluminum and ammonium perchlorate, it is appropriate to distinguish between the matrix (a homogenized blend of fine particles and binder) and larger particles that are embedded in this matrix. Then the burning properties of a pure matrix are required. We construct a one-dimensional model for this purpose. Key ingredients include the determination of the thermal conductivity and pyrolyis law of the matrix, and an accounting of the radiation field generated by the fine aluminum in the gas phase. Experimental results of Dokhan et al. (The Ignition of Ultra-Fine Aluminum in Ammonium Perchlorate Solid Propellant Flames, AIAA Paper 2003-4810, July 2003) are used for calibration and in comparisons.