Biaxial tensile test and meso damage numerical simulation of HTPB propellant

Aiming at the shortcomings of the current research on the mechanical properties of solid propellants under complex stress conditions, an effective cross-shaped test piece configuration and variable-scale biaxial tensile test method are designed in this paper, and the meso-simulation model of propellant is constructed by Micro-CT test and random filling algorithm. Then, based on the Hook-Jeeves method and the cohesive force model, the mechanical performance parameters of each mesoscopic component were obtained, and finally the damage evolution process of the propellant was numerically simulated. The results show that the stress–strain curve of the propellant under biaxial loading is similar to that of uniaxial stretching, and has obvious rate dependence and stress state dependence. The mechanical properties of the propellant under biaxial tensile loading are significantly lower than those in uniaxial stretching, and the maximum elongation is only 45–85% of that in uniaxial stretching. The fracture process of propellant can be divided into initial linear stage, damage evolution stage and fracture stage. The dewetting phenomenon generally occurs at the interface between the large-sized AP particles and the matrix. With the loading of the load, the pores formed by the dewetting and matrix tearing continue to converge into cracks and expand in the direction perpendicular to the resultant force, and finally fracture. The propellant dehumidifies more easily under high strain rate loading, but the degree of dewetting is lower when the same strain is reached.