IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,560,135
Granted Patent B2
US 12,560,135 · App. 18/064,703 · Granted Feb 24, 2026

Precursor compositions for an insulation and related methods

Inventors: Himansu M. Gajiwala (Layton, UT); Steven B. Hall (Perry, UT)
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
F02K9/346C08K3/04C08L9/00C08L23/083C08L23/145C08L23/16C08L77/10F02K9/34
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,560,135
App. No.
18/064,703
Granted
Feb 24, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A precursor composition comprising, before curing, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), an aramid, and a carbon material comprising carbon nanotubes, graphite, or a combination thereof. A rocket motor including a reaction product of the precursor composition and a method of insulating a rocket motor are also disclosed.

Claims (62)

1. A precursor composition, consisting of, before curing:

ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM);

an aramid;

multi-walled carbon nanotubes in an amount of from about 15.0 parts by weight to about 30.0 parts by weight of the precursor composition;

expandable graphite in an amount of from about 1.0 parts by weight to about 10.0 parts by weight of the precursor composition;

a plasticizer;

one or more of zinc oxide, silica, or magnesium hydroxide;

a chlorinated organic compound;

trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate or a poly(butadiene) resin;

an antioxidant;

a fatty acid; and

a peroxide,

wherein after curing, the precursor composition provides an insulation material exhibiting an ablative performance suitable for use in various regions of a rocket motor.

2. The precursor composition of claim 1 , wherein the plasticizer is an aliphatic resin.

3. The precursor composition of claim 1 , wherein the plasticizer is a five carbon petroleum hydrocarbon.

4. The precursor composition of claim 1 , wherein the chlorinated organic compound is a solid chlorinated paraffin.

5. The precursor composition of claim 1 , wherein the antioxidant is a hydroquinoline compound, an amine compound, a phenol compound, or a combination thereof.

6. The precursor composition of claim 1 , wherein the antioxidant is a polymerized 1,2 dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline.

7. The precursor composition of claim 1 , wherein the fatty acid is stearic acid.

8. The precursor composition of claim 1 , wherein the peroxide is 1,1-di-(t-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane or dicumyl peroxide.

9. A precursor composition, comprising, before curing:

ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM);

poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide;

multi-walled carbon nanotubes in an amount of from about 15.0 parts by weight to about 30.0 parts by weight of the precursor composition;

expandable graphite in an amount of from about 1.0 parts by weight to about 10.0 parts by weight of the precursor composition;

a five carbon petroleum hydrocarbon;

magnesium hydroxide;

a solid chlorinated paraffin;

a poly(butadiene) resin;

a hydroquinoline compound;

a fatty acid; and

1,1-di-(t-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane or dicumyl peroxide,

wherein after curing, the precursor composition provides an insulation material exhibiting an ablative performance suitable for use in various regions of a rocket motor.

10. The precursor composition of claim 9 , wherein the hydroquinoline compound is a polymerized 1,2 dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline.

11. The precursor composition of claim 9 , wherein the poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide is poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide fibers or poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide pulp.

12. A precursor composition, consisting of, before curing:

ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM);

poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide;

multi-walled carbon nanotubes in an amount of from about 15.0 parts by weight to about 30.0 parts by weight of the precursor composition;

expandable graphite in an amount of from about 1.0 parts by weight to about 10.0 parts by weight of the precursor composition;

a five carbon petroleum hydrocarbon;

magnesium hydroxide;

a solid chlorinated paraffin;

a poly(butadiene) resin;

a polymerized 1,2 dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline;

stearic acid; and

dicumyl peroxide,

wherein after curing, the precursor composition provides an insulation material exhibiting an ablative performance suitable for use in various regions of a rocket motor.

13. The precursor composition of claim 12 , wherein the poly(butadiene) resin is a high vinyl poly(butadiene).

14. A precursor composition, consisting of, before curing:

ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM);

an aramid;

multi-walled carbon nanotubes in an amount of from about 15.0 parts by weight to about 30.0 by weight of the precursor composition;

expandable graphite in an amount of from about 1.0 parts by weight to about 10.0 parts by weight of the precursor composition;

a plasticizer;

one or more of zinc oxide, silica, or magnesium hydroxide;

a chlorinated organic compound;

a co-agent;

an antioxidant;

a fatty acid; and

a peroxide,

wherein after curing, the precursor composition provides an insulation material exhibiting an ablative performance suitable for use in various regions of a rocket motor.

Continuity (2)
Continuation 15793862 · Oct 25, 2017
Related Publication 20230287848A1 · Sep 14, 2023
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