Hydroxyl-terminated Polybutadiene - Uses

Uses

HTPB is used in many solid rocket motors to bind the fuel and oxidizing agent into a solid mass. It is also used as a hybrid rocket fuel. Together with N₂O (nitrous oxide, or "laughing gas") as the oxidizer, it is used to power the SpaceShipOne hybrid rocket motor developed by SpaceDev. It also powers all 3/4 stages of the Japanese M-5 rocket satellite launchers. JAXA describe the fuel as "HTPB/AP/Al=12/68/20" which means, proportioned by mass, HTPB 12% (binder and fuel), Ammonium perchlorate 68% (oxidizer), and Aluminium powder, 20% (fuel).