Senior Space Cadet
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- May 23, 2020
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I've been using Kevlar chord for my parachute shock chords. I attach it to the engine mount, so it's really secure. But it doesn't have much give, so you are supposed to use a lot of it, which can be a real pain. I have some 1/8" bungee chord that works great, as a shock chord, on larger rockets, but is too stiff and bulky for small rockets.
I have a little boating experience. It occurred to me that something used for docking boats might help in this situation.
https://www.westmarinepro.com/buy/west-marine--dock-line-snubbers--P011160652?recordNum=14Obviously this one would be too big for a rocket. What I'm proposing is taking a short length of bungee chord, tying the Kevlar chord to one end, spiral wrap some around the length of the bungee, tie the Kevlar chord to the other end, then super glue the knots at each end.
Maybe I should have tried this myself before posting, but with the seasons changing, who knows when I'll get to launch again.
Another thing to consider is marine bungee. The bungee I have is 1/8" that I got from Apogee. Marine bungee is of really high quality. Not sure if there is any difference in heat resistance.
I have a little boating experience. It occurred to me that something used for docking boats might help in this situation.
https://www.westmarinepro.com/buy/west-marine--dock-line-snubbers--P011160652?recordNum=14Obviously this one would be too big for a rocket. What I'm proposing is taking a short length of bungee chord, tying the Kevlar chord to one end, spiral wrap some around the length of the bungee, tie the Kevlar chord to the other end, then super glue the knots at each end.
Maybe I should have tried this myself before posting, but with the seasons changing, who knows when I'll get to launch again.
Another thing to consider is marine bungee. The bungee I have is 1/8" that I got from Apogee. Marine bungee is of really high quality. Not sure if there is any difference in heat resistance.