7 replies to this topic

[al69]

right, i know that most people tend to ram their rocket motors, i also used to do this.

but i was thinking of buying a press so that i would be able to press my rocket motors.
Has anyone had any experience with pressing rocket motors?

is it worth it?

does evryone do it damp or can you press dry?

also what types of pressure do you ram at?

any help would be appreciated as well as experiences with pressing propellants, in particular i was thinking blackpowder based propellants

[BlackSky]

Hi al69,

Almost all you questions are answered in the previous post. Check the link :

http://www.ukrocketr...?showtopic=2127


Regards
BS

[al69]

to be honest, i dont think it does.

i was thinking more along the lines of a paper tube rocket.

also what types of pressure are sufficent and methods of pressing..

any experience out there on this?

[Yugen-biki]

I have pressed BP rockets up to 1Lb size. The exact preasure is something you will find out for yourself. It depends greatly on fuel particle size and more. It is pressed dry. Moist presseing, or ramming for that matter, will most likely result in a CATO because the fuel collumn shrinks when it dryes. This creates space for the flame to ignite all the fuel at the same time.
You'll need a sleave or else the tube will crack. The crack may not be visible but will make the tube week and it will CATO.
The fuel needs to be milled "enough" or else it will not solidify when pressing. No binding aditive will be needed when the particle size is good. Milling also increase the burning speed of the fuel, and a ingredient ratio has to be combined with a empiricly determined number of hours in the ball mill. Or elese it will CATO.

Pressing rockets are easy when you get the hang of it. And the result of the finished device will be better. I never ram anything any more.

Edited by Yugen-biki, 25 September 2006 - 06:43 PM.

[al69]

thanks a lot. also i was thinking of buying a press for it.

do you think a 3 ton arbor press is enough?

or shall i buy a 20 ton hydraulic one?

thanks

[BlackSky]

I use 5 ton hydraulic one and it's OK.

[Yugen-biki]

I have used 2 metric tons. And it is more then enough for rockets.

[Silverturk]

What i have heard from the guys at APC's forum, the blackpowder should be pressed with about 6500 PSI. That's pound per scuare inch. 2 tons is about 4500 punds.

To find out the maximum diameter of a rocket: 4500 = R^2 x Pi x 6500
(4500/Pi6500)^1/2 = 0.468" ® Diameter ~ 0.94".
This means that you can press a 3lb rocket with that press.