Effect of DBTDL Cure Catalyst on Mechanical and Ballistic Properties of a Composite Igniter

Igniters are main sections of motor that initiate the ignition of propellant grain. Large motors usually use pyrogen composite igniters. Pyrogen igniters have similar formulation with solid composite propellants, but their burning rate is relatively high. In this research, a composite igniter, based on hydroxyl terminated poly-butadiene, prepared via cast-cure method and effects of 0.02 percent addition of dibutyltin dilaurate, as an organo-metallic cure catalyst, was investigated. Results show that applying the cure catalyst enhance hardness up to 15%. Tensile stress increases vigorously, but elongation reduces 50%. Applying the cure catalyst has also no significant effects on burning rate, but pressure index increases from 0.353 to 0.383.