Polybutadiene acrylonitrile
Solid rocket motor fuel copolymer / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Polybutadiene acrylonitrile (PBAN)[1] copolymer, also noted as polybutadiene—acrylic acid—acrylonitrile terpolymer[2] is a copolymer compound used most frequently as a rocket propellant fuel mixed with ammonium perchlorate oxidizer.[3] It was the binder formulation widely used on the 1960s–1970s big boosters (e.g., Titan III and Space Shuttle SRBs). It is also notably used in NASA's Space Launch System,[4] likely reusing the design from its Space Shuttle counterpart.
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Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Polybutadiene acrylonitrile is also sometimes used by amateurs due to simplicity, very low cost, and lower toxicity than the more common hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB). HTPB uses isocyanates for curing, which have a relatively quick curing time; however, they are also generally toxic. PBAN based composite propellants also have a slightly higher performance than HTPB based propellants.[5] PBAN is normally cured with the addition of an epoxy resin, taking several days at elevated temperatures to cure.