The effect of aluminum on the emission spectra of solid propellants in the 7.5 to 15.0 micron region.

• Main Author: Habicht, Roland Franz.
• Other Authors: Spencer, Glenn H.
• Language: en_US
• Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 2013
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/25867

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited === The effect of aluminum in solid propellants on the emission of combustion energy in the 7.5-15.0 micron region of the infrared spectrum was measured. The presence of an "atmospheric window" (8.0-13.0 mi­crons) allows energy in this region to be transmitted over long atmospheric paths with minimal attenuation. The 7.5-15.0 micron spectra of three propellants, similar in composition except for aluminum content, were recorded on an oscillogram. The deflection of the oscillogram at certain wavelengths was then compared to the oscillogram of a 600°C blackbody. The apparent spectral radiance for each propellant at these wavelengths was then computed. Results indicated that in the aluminized propellants a relatively intense band occurred at about 10.3 microns. No evidence for such a band was found in the control propellant which contained no aluminum. Results also showed that the intensity of the HzO band was inversely proportional to the aluminum content of the propellant.