Understanding Solid Rocket Nozzle Ablation and Accumulation

• Rachel Cruz
• Michal Pekala
• Patrick Begalowski

To increase the reliability and performance of solid rocket motors, the research and experimental methods of this project will seek to explain the mechanical ablation and thermal effects of solid propellant combustion processes on nozzles. Upon utilization of various nozzle geometries and materials, the initial research promotes further scientific and engineering design exploration in aeronautical and aerospace applications. The Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory allows the incorporation of X-ray radiography for ablation rate measurements and observation of other mechanical phenomena. Experimentation involves a solid propellant strand burner as an apparatus to contain commercially available rocket motors at a small-scale. The Advanced Photon Source, in conjunction with a high-speed camera allows for optical observation of interactions between propellant product species and nozzle materials. Using Python image processing, along with experimental data, the effects of surface shear forces on nozzle materials will be measured and used to graph surface nozzle ablation.