AbstractFriction sensitivity of ammonium perchlorate (AP) composite propellants has been studied experimentally by means of thermal analysis and micro‐thermocouple techniques. Several types of catalysts were mixed with AP in order to examine the effect of the reactivity on the sensitivity. The results of friction sensitivity test show that the samples are sensitized when the concentration of catalysis which are used for high burning rate propellants is increased. Metal contents within the catalysts tend to give some effects on the friction sensitivity. Based on the results of the temperature profile measurements in combustion waves, it is found that the friction sensitivity is correlated with the burning surface temperature of the propellants. The catalysts which accclerate the AP decomposition are responsible for the friction sensitivity but not for the fallhammer sensitivit