Propellants

1) Rocket propellants are either high oxygen containing fuel or a mixture of fuel and
oxidant whose combustion takes place in definite. Controlled manner with evolution
of large volume of gases.
2) A propellant reacts quickly producing hot gases which exit through short opening at
supersonic velocity.
3) This act of pushing gas backward produces equal, opposite reaction which moves
rocket upward.
Characteristics of a good propellant
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)

It should be stable over wide range of temperature

It shouldnt produce toxic products
It should be non corrosive and non hydroscopic
It should burn with slow rate
It should produce low molecular weight by products
It should be safe to handle and store
It should produce very high temperature on combustion.

Classification of Propellant
Propellants

Solid
Propellants

Homogeneous
Propellants
E.g. Basillisite
(Mixture of nitrocellulose and
Nitroglycerine)

Cordite
(Mixture of
Nitrocellulose,
Nitroglycerine,
Petroleum jelly)

Heterogeneous
Propellants
E.g. Gun powder
(Mixture of KCIO4,
Asphalt oil)

Liquid
Propellants

Monopropellants
Biprope
(Fuel + oxidizer (Fuel and oxidizer m
Present in same molecule)
E.g. H2O2, CH3NO2

E.g. F
Lique
Hydro
Hydraz

Oxidi
Liquefie
Liquefie