Thermophysical Properties Measurements of Rocket Propellants RP-1 and RP-2

Published

September 1, 2009

Author(s)

Stephanie L. Outcalt, Arno R. Laesecke, Karin Brumback

Abstract

The density, speed of sound, and viscosity of two rocket propellants (RP-1 and RP-2) have been measured. The combined range of the data is from 270 K to 470 K with pressures to 40 MPa. The estimated uncertainty of the density data is 0.1 % and that of the speed of sound data 0.01 %. Adiabatic compressibilities derived from the density and speed of sound data are also reported. The uncertainty in the viscosity measurements is estimated at 1.5%. The measurement results are consistent with compositional differences between the two samples. Correlations have been developed to represent the measured properties within the estimated uncertainties of the experimental data and to allow physically meaningful extrapolations beyond the range of the measurements.

Citation

Journal of Propulsion and Power

Volume

25

Issue

5

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

Adiabatic compressibility, Compressed liquid, Density, Isobaric thermal expansivity, Rocket propellant, Speed of sound, Vibrating-tube densimeter, Viscosity.

Citation

Outcalt, S. , Laesecke, A. and Brumback, K. (2009), Thermophysical Properties Measurements of Rocket Propellants RP-1 and RP-2, Journal of Propulsion and Power, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=832303 (Accessed October 13, 2025)