Rocket Engines

[Hazard1556]

So a while ago (before the purge of data that occurred a few months back) I had a discussion going about making rocket engines/rocket fuel. To sum it up a I was given a pretty good place to start and this was the result!

It's solid rocket fuel made from very basic ingredients. I need to improve on the ignition system, nozzles (most likely built into the fuel itself), and making it a bit more potent for thrust. A primary goal at the moment is to make an engine I can mount in an estes rocket. So overall I think I've found a good start point for a long term project~

Just thought I'd share, any comments or suggestions (and subscriptions to my youtube channel!) are welcome!

[drakesdoom]

Why remake the wheel on the nozzle? Take a mold of an estes nozzle and use that to shape yours.

[OdinYggd]

Good old rocket candy.

The Estes rockets have nozzles made of clay. You could probably purchase clay from a craft shop and produce a similar shape.

Mind you, since your engines appear to be larger inside they'll need a larger nozzle so as not to build up an unacceptable pressure.

[K^2]

Nozzle diameter also depends on the fuel. You'll probably only get it by trial and error. And avoid metal parts. Once you start getting close to reasonable nozzle sizes, you WILL have explosions.

[Tangent]

Use rust powder in the next batch, don't buy the pre-made rust use homemade.

[Hazard1556]

Ok, so nozzles made out of clay and I think I have the perfect local hobby shop for the job! Do I need to keep a hole drilled all the way through the fuel? I've looked at other designs and it seems helpful in concentrating the escape of the gases in one direction... might be wrong though. The metal tubing I realize can be dangerous, I think I am going to try for some sort of reinforced cardboard or something but I'm not sure. Also I have a large source of it but what does ruse powder do?

[Tangent]

The rust will cause your solid propellant to burn hotter and faster because its an oxidizer (Iron OXIDE) i dont have any numbers or anything because i don't really measure much while making them but i have gotten great results. Drilling a hole down the center will cause more fuel to be burning at any given time but it can also cause an explosion, or at least a fireball. I just experiment with different materials until i find something i like. Adding a small amount of baking soda will cause the fuel to burn a bit slower, but the key is that pretty much anything organic or reactive can be added to the fuel for different effects. Rocket science isnt so hard once you give up on numbers

Also if your really careful you can use mercury to cause aluminum to rust almost completely and that can be added to the fuel.

No.1 tip NEVER INHALE VAPORS

Edited May 17, 2013 by Tangent

[GOOMH]

I know you can use Hydrogen Peroxide as a monopropellant, any of guys think it be possible to do on a hobby scale or am I reaching too high again.

EDIT: Just did some research for peroxide to be a propellant it needs to be 90% concentration and apparently H2O2 can be a pain in the backside to concentrate. The dream isn't completely dead but sidelined.

Edited May 17, 2013 by GOOMH