Abstracto

An improved analytical method for determination of hydroxyl number of hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), 1, 4- butanediol (nBD) and trimethylol propane (TMP)

Chandra Shekhar Pant, Rajendra S.Patil

Hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), 1, 4-butanediol (nBD) and trimethylol propane (TMP) are the key ingredients of binder system in composite propellant formulations. HTPB is a pre-polymer while nBD and TMP are used as chain-extender and cross-linker respectively. For these compounds determination of hydroxyl number is very essential, as depending upon the hydroxyl number the quantity of isocyanate curing agent is finalized to get the desired mechanical properties of the cured propellant. This paper describes a method for determination of hydroxyl number of HTPB, nBD and TMP by a rapid and ambient temperature acetylation reaction. The results are obtained with remarkable repeatability.