| abstract |
1. Novel thixotropic, monopropellant compositions comprising a mixture of a fuel selected from the group consisting of inorganic carbides, inorganic borides and inorganic boride-carbide mixtures, a liquid oxidixer selected from the group consisting of nitric acid, nitric acid enriched with NO2, nitric acid enriched with NO2 and HF, nitrogen tetroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and perchloric acid dihydrate and a thixotroping agent selected from the group consisting of carbon, silica, clay, and mixtures thereof. 23. A method of developing thrust in a reaction motor, having a combustion chamber and a discharge opening, comprising the steps of igniting in said combustion chamber, a hterogeneous propellant composition of from about 15-40 parts by weight of a solid fuel selected from the group consisting of inorganic carbides, inorganic borides and inorganic boride-carbide mixtures, from about 60-95 parts by weight of a liquid oxidizer selected from the group consisting of perchloric acid dihydrate, concentrated H2O2 and N2O4, and up to about 10 parts by weight of optional propellant adjuvants and a thixotroping agent selected from the group consisting of carbon, silica, clay, and mixtures thereof; and venting the combustion gases derived therefrom through said discharge opening. |