24 replies to this topic

[RangerOfFire]

Does anyone know of any potassium perchlorate composite propellant formulas? I've checked PFP and it only mentions one using Asphalt (tarmac) as a fuel... any idea what it means?


Regards,
RoF

[Frozentech]

Does anyone know of any potassium perchlorate composite propellant formulas? I've checked PFP and it only mentions one using Asphalt (tarmac) as a fuel... any idea what it means?
Regards,
RoF

What is actually meant is an asphalt type hydrocarbon, the type used to seal around smokestack flashing on roofs, etc. The exact one used in early solid fuel rocket development was "Gilsonite". I found a source in the UK after a short search:

United Kingdom & Ireland:
Meade-King, Robinson & Co., Ltd.
22 Water Street
Tower Building
Liverpool, L3 1BL
United Kingdom
Phone: 441-51-236-3191
Fax: 441-51-236-4431
e-mail: philip@mkr.co.uk

[RangerOfFire]

Thanks for that, I was considering substituting ammonium perchlorate for potassium perchlorate in APCP, but thought it looked too similar to flash powder...

[dr thrust]

so anybody know how to make the gilsonite, perc rocket grain?

[FrankRizzo]

This formula works pretty good, using a clay nozzle and end-burner BP tooling:

Potassium Perchlorate - 75
DAP - Weldwood Resorcinol Resin - 19.5
DAP - Weldwood Paraformaldehyde Catylst -4.5
Dark Aluminum powder - 1

Add enough denatured alcohol to form a putty, and press into a casing. You can use a core for more power if your aluminum doesn't make the mix hot enough.

Edited by FrankRizzo, 23 August 2007 - 11:55 AM.

[dr thrust]

thanks! may i ask how much pressure to apply on a 18mm id caseing

[FrankRizzo]

thanks! may i ask how much pressure to apply on a 18mm id caseing

Just enough to insure there are no voids or air-bubbles in the grain (moderate hand pressure will suffice). If you try to hydraulically press it, it will extrude up between the rammer and the case wall, making a mess.

[Pyromaster2003]

Anyone tried that Perchlorate rocket mix yet? How much more powerful was it that BP motors?

[dr thrust]

hi yes, i am working on it, got some perc now, from moonfruit, seems a bit lumpy is that normal? anyway up to my elbows in bp rockets! trying to find the perfect comp, then ill start on the perc composites , epoxy and the gilsonite from skylighter and yes they are a lot more powerful than bp

[rr22]

I have Gilsonite on order,does anyone have a detailed method for the formula Galcit Alt 161 from the PFP?

Any hints appreciated.

Up-date,
I am yet to get my work bench/space set up for proper tests,
but just tried a screened dry mix of 75 % Perchlorate / 25% "Gilsonite"
10- grammes in a 3/4" open tube.
Very energetic! will try for a video tomorrow.

Edited by rr22, 07 December 2007 - 09:25 PM.

[jeffrocket55]

Does anyone know of any potassium perchlorate composite propellant formulas? I've checked PFP and it only mentions one using Asphalt (tarmac) as a fuel... any idea what it means?

I just dry screened kc104 75 gilsonite 25 loosely packed it in a small tube and it lite with a vengence,very energentic mix but dont know if pressing or ramming is safe.Says mix gil with mineral oil will try next

Regards,
RoF

[pyrotrev]

I have Gilsonite on order,does anyone have a detailed method for the formula Galcit Alt 161 from the PFP?

Any hints appreciated.

Up-date,
I am yet to get my work bench/space set up for proper tests,
but just tried a screened dry mix of 75 % Perchlorate / 25% "Gilsonite"
10- grammes in a 3/4" open tube.
Very energetic! will try for a video tomorrow.

If I remember rightly it's something like heat the oil, add the asphalt to dissolve it into a gloop, then stir in the finely ground perc. and cast into your tube. I think the oil was 30....40% of the total fuel weight but don't hold me to that!

(obviously temperature controlled/indirect heating unless you have a death wish)

Edited by pyrotrev, 06 March 2009 - 01:55 PM.

[rr22]

[quote name='pyrotrev' date='Mar 6 2009, 01:53 PM' post='54406']
If I remember rightly it's something like heat the oil, add the asphalt to dissolve it into a gloop, then stir in the finely ground perc. and cast into your tube. I think the oil was 30....40% of the total fuel weight but don't hold me to that!

Here is a short video of a (small) test of the melted mix,I think I used around 10% oil,the mix looked consistent,but the burn was uneven.




I believe that this propellant needs strong confinement to reach working pressure, that and the P.I.T.A. prep. led me to
think this is not a particularly useful amateur R.p.

[pyrotrev]

Something you might like to fiddle with is this mix I came up with:

KClO4 72
Atomised aluminium (fine) 4
Fe2O3 1
Polyester resin 23

Slowish burning (would have to be a core burner) but quite fierce. Seems to need a slight excess of catalyst to get it to set hard.

[jeffrocket55]

Does anyone know of any potassium perchlorate composite propellant formulas? I've checked PFP and it only mentions one using Asphalt (tarmac) as a fuel... any idea what it means?


Regards,
RoF

try this: 75 kc104/10 sulfur/7.5 airfloat charcoal/7.5 pine charcoal:rammed of course 4mm nozzel 27mm ID 110 mm length got at least 600 meter flight with a 6 second burn.Used beleive it or not cia method no ball mill.Spindle the entire length till the delay.Carried a 2 inch hemi fp!