Evolution of 100-$\mu$m aluminum agglomerates and initially continuous aluminum particles in the flame of a model solid propellant. I. Experimental approach

This paper presents a quenching/sampling method for studying the evolution of monodisperse particles based on a comparison of the parameters of a set of particles before and after combustion. Burning 100-$\mu$m aluminum agglomerates were produced using inclusions of a metallized propellant in the form of $\varnothing$130 $\times$ 150 $\mu$m cylinders introduced into a nonmetallized propellant. In experiments with 100-$\mu$m aluminum particles, the latter were also introduced into the nonmetallized propellant. A description is given of the procedures employed in the particle-size and morphological analyses, particle density determination, and calculations the combustion time and the residence time in the flame.