Test program to demonstrate the stability of hydrazine in propellant tanksThe suitability of stainless steels and Inconel for long-term hydrazine propellant-storage tanks is investigated. Rectangular coupon samples cut from propellent tanks were sealed with a measured amount of hydrazine in glass capsules, stored at 43 or 60 C, and removed after 6 to 24 months, when corrosion of the coupon and decomposition of the hydrazine was determined, and SEM and electron spectroscopy were performed on some coupons. Corrosion was found to be unmeasurably low for all the coupons, and hydrazine decomposition produced less than 1.0 cu cm of gas per sq cm of wetted surface per year, except in those few cases when catalysis or contamination were detected. Especially good stability was observed for type 304L stainless steel. The decomposition rates determined in the coupon tests are confirmed by preliminary results of actual tank storage trials.
Document ID
19830055155
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Moran, C. M. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Propulsion Systems Section, Pasadena CA, United States)
Sutton, D. (Propellants, Explosives and Rocket Motor Establishment, Aylesbury Bucks., United Kingdom)