Data graph for VPP

Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures represent a promising approach to enhance the mechanical and combustion properties of conventional HTPB fuel grains in hybrid rocket engines. Leveraging the distinct technological advantages of three-dimensional printing, selective laser melting (SLM) has been selected as the fabrication method to design three different AlSi10Mg skeletal architectures embedded with HTPB fuel. Combined compression experiments, firing tests, spectral diagnostics and numerical simulations, the properties of the HTPB fuel grain with and without TPMS are compared and analyzed. Accompanied by an increase in oxidizer mass flow rate, the fuel grain with a finer TPMS structure exhibits better mechanical and combustion properties, with Young’s modulus and regression rate increased by over 1864% and 57% compared with those of the pure HTPB grain, respectively. The ignition of these fuel grains occurs rapidly, while the combustion process remains relatively stable. The excellent thermal conductivity and inherent flammability of the Al-Mg alloy make the skeleton with TPMS structure a promising candidate for further enhancing HTPB fuel performance.