Scientists used radiation to improve rocket fuel

Scientists from the Institute of Solid State Chemistry and Mechanochemistry of the SB RAS and the Federal Research and Production Institute

The Altai Center conducted a series of experiments, as a result of which it was found that radiation treatment of polymers significantly accelerates the production of high-quality rocket fuel.

"Solid rocket engines are almost likebuns with raisins. Only as a test we have a polymer, and instead of raisins we have an explosive that works as fuel, and other fuel components. Just as the batter is poured into baking molds, the dissolved polymer is poured into special molds along with explosive particles and other microscopic “raisins”. Next, the polymer vulcanization process begins, which lasts tens of days. For this purpose, special initiator substances and high temperatures are used,” said the chief researcher, head of the laboratory of the ICHTM SB RAS, Doctor of Chemical Sciences Boris Petrovich Tolochko.

As a result, specialists were able to find out thatpre-irradiated polymers can cure 30% faster, while in theory this process can be accelerated even more, just increase the radiation dose.