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Rocket fuel

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Author	Topic: Rocket fuel
*Igenx* Frequent Poster	posted October 16, 1999 08:50 PM I'm looking for any easy to make rocket fuels. I have looked thru my info and haven't found anything that seems it might work; I don't mean blackpowder for this, but something with a faster burn rate.
VeHeMT Frequent Poster	posted October 16, 1999 10:37 PM For small motors, I have found that KN03 and Sucrose finely milled into a powder makes an excellent rocket fuel. It is quite simple to prepare and has a very high burn rate. Only drawback is that the motors need to be stored in airtight containers. Though I have tried motors with quite a bit of moisture in them and they still worked quite exceptionally. The proportions can vary quite a bit, a 60% KN03 and 40% sucrose works well, this can still vary though. The propellant must be rammed into the rocket motor casing's so it will burn slow enough, otherwise it can explode. A core pretty much needs to be there too. If used in very large motors, it is very advisable to melt the two together then casting it into the casing, as to ensure a solid propellant grain without any cracks or faults which can cause an explosion.
*Igenx* Frequent Poster	posted October 17, 1999 12:18 AM Funny, I have heard from three other people that the sugar KNO₃ mix burns slower than blackpowder. I tested the fact and, when both are milled to the same size, blackpowder appeared to burn faster.
nbk2000 Moderator	posted October 17, 1999 01:04 AM The vitamin C propellant has a faster burn rate than BP. It doesn't mention melting so I don't think that would be possible. But it can be compressed into a solid grain using drystarch as a binder. You have to use a press to get enough pressure to solidify it. Maybe if you use a slightly water moistened starch paste and ram that into the case it would dry into a solid enough mass. ------------------ "The knowledge that they fear is a weapon to be used against them." www.50megs.com/nbk2000
VeHeMT Frequent Poster	posted October 17, 1999 12:21 PM It is indeed true that that BP burns faster then th KN03 Sucrose propellant, but the KN03 Sucrose actually has more power, and since its not nearly as easy to make an engine explode (only happened to me when I was testing nozzle sizes) it is a bit more reliable. BP requires much more labour to prepare (if a grade of high enough quality to launch a rocket, launch/burst a shell etc..) then the KN03 Sucrose mix. Simply weigh the ingredients, throw into the mill, and wait a few hours =] I did not get very good results with the Vitamin C caplets. I can only blame this on the fact that there where simply too many additives in the pills. I will purchase some of the pure ascorbic acid soon and test that out in rocket motors and small salutes. Also something to be noted, the KN03 Sucrose when burned will leave no slag which happens very often with homemade BP.
*Igenx* Frequent Poster	posted October 17, 1999 01:47 PM If the ratio of sucrose/ KNO₃ is too far off it does produce quite a bit of slag. I'll try another batch to make rocket engines. (The first two were used to make fuzes because they are both water soluble and a saturated soloution of the two absorbes into a string easily)
*Igenx* Frequent Poster	posted October 17, 1999 01:48 PM I should have included this in the last post, but does anyone have any idea how muck of this mix is nessary to propell a 200g payload 400 meters?
VeHeMT Frequent Poster	posted October 17, 1999 04:19 PM I have yet to make a batch of it with any slag. Only the soft porous ashes. It loses the porous solid structure and turns into a fine powder when rubbed between the fingers.
nbk2000 Moderator	posted October 17, 1999 07:17 PM The vitaC powder was the same way. No slag and carbon powder that disintegrated on touching. Have the components but haven't gotten around to making another batch yet. Should be interesting to experiment with though. ------------------ "The knowledge that they fear is a weapon to be used against them." www.50megs.com/nbk2000
Dr-D Frequent Poster	posted October 17, 1999 09:43 PM I was experimenting this weekend with several mixes of fuels, and found flour to burn interestingly. When KNO3 is mixed with flour, it tends to burn slower than sugar, but seems to produce a LOT of gas. This may or may not be helpfull for rockets. I noticed that it burned for a long time, while having a loud hiss and a long stream of burning gass shooting out of the end of a loosly wrapped coffee filter. It takes a while to get it lit and going.
*Igenx* Frequent Poster	posted October 18, 1999 10:07 PM Thanks for the responces, but Dr D I don't think that would help. I Am develpoing plans for a homemade rocket launcher and The fuel must start burning extremely fast.
Bob's RAC A New Voice	posted October 18, 1999 11:47 PM If the flour mixture does produce ample propulsion, an ignition stage of a more readily ignited fuel such as the sugar mixture may work. Bob's Rent A Cow
Nick A New Voice	posted October 20, 1999 05:36 PM KNO3 is is Vitamine C correct?? I have a lot of this shit {ascorbic acid} I dont the how to mix it though.. i use surgar right?? well, will some one that has made some that worked real good let me know the correct proportions.. also how sensitive is it?
nbk2000 Moderator	posted October 20, 1999 07:23 PM KNO3 is potassium nitrate AKA saltpeter or nitre. You mix this with the vitamin C to make the propellant powder. 35% vit C with 65% saltpeter, by weight. Mix to a thick paste with rubbing alcohol, and stir and mash while it dries. My website has complete details in the explosives section. ------------------ "The knowledge that they fear is a weapon to be used against them." www.50megs.com/nbk2000

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