8 replies to this topic

[wjames]

Out of interest, has anyone ever heard of a Perchlorate/Bitumen mix as a rocket Fuel ?????

Or, indeed, has anyone tried/experimented with it ???

[rr22]

Out of interest, has anyone ever heard of a Perchlorate/Bitumen mix as a rocket Fuel ?????

Or, indeed, has anyone tried/experimented with it ???

I did some small scale experiments on the Galicit  J.A.T.O. fuel,
it was messy as hell,and needs very strong confinement to get up to the pressures needed for propulsive effects,they used steel bottles for the original items I believe.

It didn't seem worth while developing processes to use it.

There is a short vid. somewhere of one test, and I may have some information knocking about if you wish to pursue the idea,let me know and I'll dig it out.

Edited by rr22, 25 January 2010 - 11:12 PM.

[digger]

I seem to remember a fuel using Gilsonite. Is this the one to which you are referring?

[wjames]

Didnt know what gilsonite was - but the term "asphalt" seems to be thrown about alot.

I just thought it seemed very simple....melt asphalt, stir in Perc, pour into mould/casing......Job done.

[digger]

Didnt know what gilsonite was - but the term "asphalt" seems to be thrown about alot.

I just thought it seemed very simple....melt asphalt, stir in Perc, pour into mould/casing......Job done.

Gilsonite is not quite the same thing as asphalt, although I guess it may be similar. I think good old wikipedia has a decent explanation of what it is. Why not try http://www.rbhltd.com/gilsonite.asp

[rr22]

Yes.
From the Galicit projects ,

It is in the internet database I think.

Very fine powdered Gilsonite can be had from art supply outlets.

Edited by rr22, 25 January 2010 - 11:21 PM.

[Creepin_pyro]

I'm sure I've heard of Gilsonite being used in a few coloured star formulas. It also appears on Ebay with the following description: "...as a hydrocarbon fuel and as a pyrotechnic binder/adhesive and sealer."

Here's an old thread worth checking out:
http://www.pyrosocie...ite-propellant/

[icarus]

i had a can of evo stick glue the top had been left off it was quite stiff and rubbery i kneeded twice its weight of perc into it the none sticky rubberoid blob was an excellent fuel for small rockets long thin strings rolled from it if confined by sticky paper casing behaved like quickmatch with a large gas thrust as it burnt. Its too expensive to be a practical fuel i,m still trying cast polyamide and epoxi resin fuels i think recorcinol has a lot to offer in this area sorry if slightly off topic will try block bitumen

[wjames]

perhaps the addition of a catalyst should be considered if using bitumen....