CuriousAmateur
Member
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2018
- Messages
- 9
- Reaction score
- 0
Hello,
We are slowly working on "DIY" rocket motors. Yes, we've read many pages of safety advice, and are taking a number or safety precautions. At this point, the build is roughly as follows:
3/4" tube, packed with
3/4" clay plugs at each end
3" sugar fuel (white mix)
7/32" nozzle punched through one of the clay plugs.
There is no recovery charge yet, and nothing else fancy. We're just trying for a build that works.
For the casing, we have been following some popular advice of schedule 40 PCV pipe. However, as a part of that safety research, I have learned that although it is popularity recommended, PVC has the tendency to shatter if it fails. Schedule 40 PVC has a 480 PSI capacity rating. For better or worse, we have used this PVC pipe in successful tests, and the PVC has not failed so far. We haven't dared to reuse the PVC, but if that is the only disadvantage, that's fine with us.
Our fuel is the basic [ed. - formula removed by mods] blend, used in powder form (and packed firmly)
My questions are:
1. Does anyone have some idea what kind of PSI this build contains, or suggestions on how to measure it?
2. What kind of casings are viable and fairly safe? Suggestions?
3. Any other thoughts, suggestions, or dire warnings of catastrophic explosions?
We have made a build using layered paperboard for a casing, but we have not been able to set up a safe launch environment to test it yet. My concerns with that are that
1. The casing might burn out too quickly, and fail catastrophically in flight (we considered treating the casing with baking soda, be decided to try it plain)
2. The casing might stretch enough to eject the clay plugs (including the nozzle)
Any thoughts on this are also welcomed.
Thank you!
We are slowly working on "DIY" rocket motors. Yes, we've read many pages of safety advice, and are taking a number or safety precautions. At this point, the build is roughly as follows:
3/4" tube, packed with
3/4" clay plugs at each end
3" sugar fuel (white mix)
7/32" nozzle punched through one of the clay plugs.
There is no recovery charge yet, and nothing else fancy. We're just trying for a build that works.
For the casing, we have been following some popular advice of schedule 40 PCV pipe. However, as a part of that safety research, I have learned that although it is popularity recommended, PVC has the tendency to shatter if it fails. Schedule 40 PVC has a 480 PSI capacity rating. For better or worse, we have used this PVC pipe in successful tests, and the PVC has not failed so far. We haven't dared to reuse the PVC, but if that is the only disadvantage, that's fine with us.
Our fuel is the basic [ed. - formula removed by mods] blend, used in powder form (and packed firmly)
My questions are:
1. Does anyone have some idea what kind of PSI this build contains, or suggestions on how to measure it?
2. What kind of casings are viable and fairly safe? Suggestions?
3. Any other thoughts, suggestions, or dire warnings of catastrophic explosions?
We have made a build using layered paperboard for a casing, but we have not been able to set up a safe launch environment to test it yet. My concerns with that are that
1. The casing might burn out too quickly, and fail catastrophically in flight (we considered treating the casing with baking soda, be decided to try it plain)
2. The casing might stretch enough to eject the clay plugs (including the nozzle)
Any thoughts on this are also welcomed.
Thank you!