my experimental composite fuel rocket motor

[nils]

Here is the video and composition:

 

KClO3 - 37,79 ultrafine floating particles

KNO3 - 15,12 table salt like particles

Polyester resin - 30,23

Hardener - 1,13

Styrene 2,64

Aluminium 10,05

Yellow iron oxide - 1,5

Red iron oxide - 1,5

 

I want to add more oxidizer but how? Can I somehow make KClO3 particles bigger?

Currenlty it becomes too thick and it is very difficult to cast. It is not pourable.

Composition is like that mostly because I can not get other oxidizers and chemicals.

Edited July 23, 2018 by nils

[gdeputy]

Where are you located?

 

I've done a fair number of motors with Ammonium Perchlorate, i've never used Potassium Chlorate. Is that and potassium nitrate the only things you have available to you?

[Arthur]

Ammonium Perchlorate is hard to get unless you have high power rocketry experience and club memberships.

[gdeputy]

Whats preventing you from joining a local club? Are there any?

[nils]

Ammonium Perchrolarate is not available in my country(Estonia).
KClO3 and KNO3 are pretty much the only oxidizers available. KMnO4 is also but that tends to react with my current chemicals. NH4NO3 is also available as fertilizer.
I know only one rocket club here and they use commercial model rocket motors and they have difficulties buying them.

[gdeputy]

Ammonium nitrate would be a better propellant IMO than KNO3 or KCLO3. Lots of folks have used that as a cheaper alternative to AP. It has its own issues, like phase changes with temperature swings that can cause grain cracks, hygroscopicity, etc but has decent ISP. Is good for longer burn motors, too.

[Mumbles]

What are you goals for the propellant?

[nils]

My goal with the propellant is to make a motor for my rockets that can carry smartphone-sized payload up to 150 meters. The next goal is steerable parachute. Rocket goes up unguided but comes down with guided parawing-style parachute so I can drive it to somewhere where I can get it back for sure.

 

I will try combination of bigger particle NH4NO3 and smaller particle KClO3.

[FlipperFuego]

Good stuff, have you attempted to use it all, like attaching a small weight to ithttp://freeimagehost.info/i/ocXw8LUDKw.png

 

would love to see that video

[GrassyKnollShooter]

Any oxidizer that will facilitate the fuel burning is all you need.

Ammonium Perchlorate is available from some pyro chem sources.

Have you researched what else you could use?

There are combinations you'd never think of.

[nils]

I made 20 experiments with polyester resin, epoxy resin, aluminium, KClO3, KNO3 and additives. Burn rates were only suitable for coreburners and the burning smell was just awful.

Now I use Sorbitol+KNO3. It's just much easier to make. Smell is mild and endburner works just fine.

Here is first video with smartphone:

Delay charge was too long so it crashed before parachute ejection charge. Also the nozzle was only partially steel. Plywood parts did erode uneven.

 

Here is new improved motor. Fully steel core nozzle. It is T-nut or Hit-nut inside plywood. It has powerful built-in igniter. Almost no pressure buildup time.

Edited August 25, 2019 by nils