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new rocket prpellant


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#1 al69

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Posted 24 September 2005 - 08:30 PM

Tonight i thought i would try a new rocket propellant.

The propellant consists of 65/35 KNO3/Sucrose plus x%glycerine.

The normal propellant was made and then glycerine was added in the following amounts: 0.5,0.5,1,1 ml.
Upon addition of 0.5ml there was little change in texture or burn speed.
Another 0.5ml increased the burn rate very little.
Addition of another 1ml of glycerine produced a rather noticable effect on the burn speed of the propellant as well as the texture.

Upon addition of the final ml of glycerine (totalling a concentration of 3ml/100g, or 3%). A reasonable increase in burnrate was evident (about 15% faster than that of 65/35 KNO3/glycerine), and the texture was changed from powder to more of a putty.

No more than 3% of glycerine was added as this could have resulted in a useless composition that has too much glycerine and so doesnt light.

Upon friction testing the mixture did not ignite (as is expected of a KNO3/sugar based composition).
Friction testing consisted of the mixture being roughly scraped along the floor with a knife as well as impact testing; primitive but effective.

As i understand it the potassium nitrate and sugar dissolved in the glycerine thus creating a more intimate (sp?) mix. This caused the burnrate of the mixture to increase much like melting the propellant, in which the potassium nitrate dissolves in the molten sugar. Also because glycerine is flammable, it doesnt slow down the burn rate.

The composition was used in a rocket which i will complete tomorrow by drilling the nozzle and coring about half way. the nozzle will be 4mm, the tube is 3/4ID 1/8 walls and 3 1/2 long. There may even be a video if its any good, if not i will still post the result.

Any questions,comments will be appreciated. I dont know if this is actually a new formula so dont batter me if it isnt
:D
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#2 alany

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Posted 25 September 2005 - 01:19 AM

The best part about adding glycerol to candy propellant is its plasticising effect, which makes the propellant much easier to work mechanically.

#3 al69

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Posted 25 September 2005 - 08:29 AM

Well, as there is also an increase in burn rate. You could use this propellant instead of candy propellant...it would be easier to work with, as there would be no mad rush to get it all in before it sets. Also you dont have to melt anything so its easier and safer.

Oh and its Glycerine not Glycerol
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#4 alany

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Posted 25 September 2005 - 08:57 AM

Glycerin, Glycerine, Glycerol, 1,2,3-propanetriol, 56-81-5, 200-289-5, and a bunch of other synonyms, they all mean the same thing.

#5 al69

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Posted 25 September 2005 - 09:10 AM

Oh, right i never knew that. Sorry. well i have finished the rocket....but i am not allowed to do any pyro in my back garden so i will be heading to a field and filming it...hope it goes well.
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#6 al69

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Posted 27 September 2005 - 07:15 PM

I have tested the rocket and it wasnt bad. The rocket went up about 50 metres and then started curving. There was a nice smoke tail as would be expected of this type of propellant. The rocket burned very long so perhaps a shorter but faster burning propellant would be better.

Because of this i would say its better than dry mixed candy propellant, and with an addition of a few % of iron oxide this could be as good as molten candy propellant
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