Any highly efficient fuel?

[Vipertiper]

I was looking at efficient fuel for model rockets. But didn't find anything good. I was wondering what kind of fuel other people use on these forums.

 

[COrocket]

Ammonium perchlorate based fuel is pretty standard issue around here. In terms of efficiency it is far better than black powder motors. You would have to use specialized hybrid or liquid propulsion to do better than AP motors.

 

[Vipertiper]

Oh thanks. Mostly all I found was scientist finding a new molecule able to lift quadruple space shuttles.

 

[powderburner]

There are indeed certain chemicals out there that can improve the specific impulse of rocket motors, but generally speaking you are going to run into problems with:

1) Cost
2) Availability
3) Toxicity
4) Complicated cooking/manufacturing processes
5) Complicated casting/fabrication processes
6) Limited storage life
7) Combustion stability
8) Nozzle and throat material limitations
9) Ignition conditions
10) Plenty of others

And if these problems weren't enough, even after mastering all these fun little aspects of solid propellants, you still are not going to be in the performance ballpark of liquid propellants.

The use of black powder (gunpowder) in hobby rocketry is a tradeoff that was made by experienced people a long time ago. This choice has not been improved on very many times.

Not saying you can't do it, just suggesting that you not set your expectations too high.

 

[Voxels]

Given your previous threads, I would recommend just using Estes BP motors for your first LPR rocket- take small steps to build up to making your own propellants.

 

[shreadvector]

That is *NOT* "fuel".

"Fuel" + "Oxidizer" = "Propellant"

For "Model Rockets" we do not mix our own propellant. The term "Model Rocket" has specific legal meaning and it also has plain old basic simple meaning as well - just like "model car" or "model train".

If someone (such as the perrson asking the original question) continues to display the inability to use multiple simple terms properly, then they will likely be an extreme danger to themselves and others nearby if they attempt to mix propellant for Experimental or Amatuer Rocket Motors. They cannot use or understand simple scientific words properly and therefore they will likely make dangerous errors.

Ammonium perchlorate based fuel is pretty standard issue around here. In terms of efficiency it is far better than black powder motors. You would have to use specialized hybrid or liquid propulsion to do better than AP motors.

 

[Area66]

I’m very interested to build an ALICE ( Aluminum + Ice ) motor , I need to source the good grain size aluminum powder

 

[daveyfire]

I’m very interested to build an ALICE ( Aluminum + Ice ) motor , I need to source the good grain size aluminum powder

It doesn't work well. Don't waste your time!

 

[Area66]

It doesn't work well. Don't waste your time!

this is why it's interesting to play with it, if it's too easy it's not fun......

 

[luke strawwalker]

Oh thanks. Mostly all I found was scientist finding a new molecule able to lift quadruple space shuttles.

This statement makes no sense...

Later! OL JR

 

[Cl(VII)]

If your looking for power, and chemical sexiness, look no further than octanitrocubane...the compound you'll only try to isolate once. Now you have something to aspire to.

 

[RWmarlow]

Some people swear by this stuff....but I have never used it myself

 

[r1dermon]

If scientists did it, how hard can it be?

 

[Aksrockets]

Oh thanks. Mostly all I found was scientist finding a new molecule able to lift quadruple space shuttles.

 

[shreadvector]

Ask the Biaviians.

 

[3stoogesrocketry]

Try using CH3NO2 .

Eric

 

[Cl(VII)]

Try this one out: C2N14, Azidoazide Azides. You can never have enough nitrogen, or maybe it's "you'll never know you had too many nitrogens"

 

[AlexK]

View attachment 140012

I *thought* I recognized the "Stuff I won't Work With" blog! For those who aren't familiar: https://pipeline.corante.com/archives/things_i_wont_work_with/

The blog is a professional organic chemist's blog - I think he focuses on pharmaceuticals - but the "stuff I won't work with" posts are downright hilarious. And some of the compounds he talks about are downright terrifying, even from a "I'll never go within five miles of it and it could STILL kill me" sort of way. He semi-seriously suggests running shoes as a way to deal with fires caused by some of the oxidizing agents, and uses several not-so-veiled comments about how some of the compounds are just DYING to decompose into rapidly-expanding clouds of gas that desperately want to kill you. Certain azides are particularly fun, but I think my favorites have to be oxygen difluoride and chlorine trifluoride (the latter was tried by the germans in WWII to make self-lighting flamethrowers, but they abandoned even that because it was just too darned hard to hold onto without killing the operator).

If your looking for power, and chemical sexiness, look no further than octanitrocubane...the compound you'll only try to isolate once. Now you have something to aspire to.

I love that the wikipedia article on that says it's 'not as powerful as originally thought' but still staggeringly powerful as explosives go. And STABLE... I never would have guessed that an carbon could form 90-degree angles like that (assuming it's not rhomboid) and stick together.

 

[CCotner]

Try this one out: C2N14, Azidoazide Azides. You can never have enough nitrogen, or maybe it's "you'll never know you had too many nitrogens"

View attachment 140012

I heard you like Aside groups, so we put azide groups on your azide groups so you can decompose an azide group while decomposing your azide groups

 

[Cl(VII)]

I heard you like Aside groups, so we put azide groups on your azide groups so you can decompose an azide group while decomposing your azide groups

I made 1,3-diazobenzene (nowhere near as frisky as the other stuff I've mentioned, but still shock sensative) on 25 g scale in grad school. It took me 36 hrs before I calmed down enough to sleep. That let me know I was not cut out for energetic materials chemistry. Give me poisons over explosives any day.

 

[Vipertiper]

I make such interesting subjects.. But I found motors on amazon and I was wonder would this work good for my first rocket?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QV0EEK/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Cl(VII)]

In all seriousness:

Yes, those will work provided your rocket is light enough (a few ounces). Get a kit (estes and quest make excellent entry level kits), and it will tell you what the recomended motors are. I would suggest starting with an A, B, or C motor (like the C6-5 you link to).

Referencing your other thread, these will not lift car batteries, and that is a good thing.

 

[Vipertiper]

In all seriousness:

Yes, those will work provided your rocket is light enough (a few ounces). Get a kit (estes and quest make excellent entry level kits), and it will tell you what the recomended motors are. I would suggest starting with an A, B, or C motor (like the C6-5 you link to).

Referencing your other thread, these will not lift car batteries, and that is a good thing.

If that motor can lift car batteries. It is a bad thing

Just found a set that comes with motors already that you have to install
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VLP67S/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
Im going to buy 5 set of motors. which have 3 of them in each set.

 

[Area66]

If you want to get certified and build rockets, drop the small Estes and go with an Aerotech Initiator, with this one you will be able to use Single use motors and reloadable motors. I fly one as low as 300 feet ( with a E ) and I reach over 2000 feet with it on another flight. I myself start with a G-Force.

 

[Cl(VII)]

This has gone from fun, to frustrating...done! Good luck man, you are going to need it.

 

[Vipertiper]

When im cerified. I'll start building rockets. But for now. I want to know how the rockets work before I start building them. To make me safe and people around me.

 

[shreadvector]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lxIL1WlxSQ

 

[Area66]

This has gone from fun, to frustrating...done! Good luck man, you are going to need it.

yes he gone need it, he talk to build a 100 k rocket and now he is scare to build one, where he gone get the certification ? in a box of cereal ......

 

[Voxels]

When im cerified. I'll start building rockets. But for now. I want to know how the rockets work before I start building them. To make me safe and people around me.

You have to build rockets to get NAR/TRA/UKRA/CAR certified

 

[tmacklin]

I was looking at efficient fuel for model rockets. But didn't find anything good. I was wondering what kind of fuel other people use on these forums.

Try this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81KQX81j_0o