Bondline Infrared Spectroscopy (BIS)

Laboratory procedures for making the IR spectrum of propellant, liner, and insulation were established. Samples of an HTPB propellant bond system and a minimum smoke propellant bond system were aged for 32 weeks at up to 165 F. Changes in the absorption (peak height) of certain IR wave lengths in the spectra of the binders of the propellants, liners, and insulations were correlated to changes in the strengths of the bond between the various substrates. Computer programs were written to perform the IR data reduction, correlate the changes taking place in IR absorption and bond strength, compute reaction rate constants, reaction activation energy and predict bond strengths at some future times at selected temperatures. (Author)