Mrinal

• 18 Mar 2019

Why is it in News?

Celebrated by the ISRO, February 21 marks the 50th anniversary of India’s first solid rocket propellant.

About Mrinal:

• It was named after a famous Classical Dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai, wife of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai.
• It was the first totally indigenous composite propellant manufactured using locally available raw materials.
• On Feb 21, 1969, this propellant was used to fly Rohini series RH-75 sounding rocket, which was designated Dynamic Test Vehicle (DTV), from Thumba.
• At present, India is one of the pioneers in field of Solid Rocket Propellants, but the kick start was provided by Mrinal Solid Rocket Propellant.

Raw Materials used in Mrinal:

• Polyester resin
• Ammonium Perchlorate
• Aluminium Powder along with Nitro-glycerine

What are Composite Materials?

• A composite material is a material made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties that, when combined, produce a material with characteristics different from the individual components.
• The individual components remain separate and distinct within the finished structure, differentiating composites from mixtures and solid solutions
• Composite materials are light in weight and possess better structural and thermal properties, making them suitable materials to realize structural and ablative products for launch vehicle applications.

Source: www.isro.gov.in