Rocket
Propellant #1 ('Candy Propellant')
It is best prepared by melting the potassium nitrate and sugar together,
but this is a dangerous operation and could result in accidential
ignition during preperation. Dry mixing is possible and much safer
but produces lower quality propellant.
Potassium nitrate.................................74.5
Sugar.............................................25.5
Rocket
Propellant #2
The propellant has a burn rate of 0.0385 inch/sec at 100psi and a
burn rate of 0.04 inch/sec at 300psi. Burn temperature is approx.
1800K. and ISP=180.
Ammonium nitrate..................................85-90%
Elastomeric binder (HTPB or other urethane plastic).....?
Rocket Propellant #3
Stinks like ammonia when mixed, and hardens faster than normal epoxy
curing time. Suggestions for rocket dimensions: 1" rocket tube,
3" fuel length, Durhanm’s water putty nozzle 3/8" thick,
and 5/16" diameter. Core in center of fuel about 3/8" diameter
through the length.
Ammonium perchlorate, 200 micron..................80
Resin (Epon 815 epoxy & curing agent U)...........20
Copper chromite...................................+1%
Rocket Propellant #4 (Five Cent Sugar Rocket)
Mixture is somewhat hygroscopic. Low impulse propellant.
Potassium nitrate.................................63
Sugar.............................................27
Sulfur............................................10
Rocket Propellant #5 (Whistling)
Loud whistling rockets can be made with this. The author of the text
this composition was taken from used it in nozzle-less whistling rockets.
The rocket casings were 3/4 inch inner diameter, and 3.25 inch length.
The fuel grain ended 1/8" from the rear end of the motor tube.
Preparation: 1. Mix the iron oxide with the potassium benzoate and
mill this mixture untill a very fine powder is obtained. 2. Melt the
petroleum jelly in a beaker on low heat. Turn the hot plate or stove
off. Make sure no sources of heat or sparks are present before proceeding
with the next steps. 3. While stirring, add 5 parts of toluene to
each part of petroleum jelly by weight. Laquer thinner can be substituted
for toluene when pure toluene is not available. Continue stirring
untill the petroleum jelly has completely dissolved in the solvent
used. 4. Add the petroleum jelly to the potassium benzoate/iron oxide
mix and stir the mixture untill it becomes homogenous. 5. Then, slowly
add the potassium perchlorate while stirring continuesly with a wooden
spoon for several minutes until homogenous. At this point, the mixture
usually has a consistency of thick soup and the beaker is warm to
the touch. If the mixture seems too dry or thick, extra toluene or
laquer thinner can be added at this stage. 6. Spread the composition
out in a layer about 1/2" thick on kraft paper over newspapers
to dry overnight. It is important that the mixture has thoroughly
dried before pressing motors. A slightly damp mix can cause some shrinkage
of the propellant grain over a period of days or weeks, causing the
rocket to explode when ignited. 7. When the composition has dried
overnight, carefully run the mixture through a 20 mesh sieve twice
and store in a paper container so that trace amounts of solvent can
evaporate. After several days, the mix is ready to press.
Potassium perchlorate (fine mesh).................64
Potassium benzoate................................32
Red Iron Oxide, Fe2O3.............................1
Petroleum jelly...................................3
Rocket
Propellant #6 (KNO3 propellant)
The burning rate of these rocket fuels depends much less on pressure
than that of black powder. This widens the accetable limits of the
ratio nozzle area/fuel surface area.
Potassium nitrate.................................72
Carbon............................................24
Sulfur............................................4
Rocket Propellant #7 (NaNO3 propellant)
The burning rate of this rocket fuels depends much less on pressure
than that of black powder. This widens the accetable limits of the
ratio nozzle area/fuel surface area.
Sodium nitrate....................................69
Carbon............................................27
Sulfur............................................4
Rocket Propellant #7 (Zinc/Sulfur)
Burns very fast, producing lots of smoke. It is not a very effective
propellant due to its low energy density.
Zinc..............................................67.1%
Sulfur............................................32.9%
Space
Shuttle Boosters Propellant
Aluminum powder...................................16
Ammonium perchlorate..............................69.9
Fe2O3 catalyst....................................0.07
Rubber based binder of polybutadiëne acrylic acidacrylonitrile.....12.04
Epoxy curing agent................................1.96
ESTES C-Class Rocket Engine Propellant
Potassium nitrate.................................71.79
Sulfur............................................13.45
Charcoal..........................................13.81
Dextrin...........................................0.95
Blue
Strobe Rocket Propellant
The GE silicone II is noted for having an ammonia-like odor, where
the GE silicones smell more like vinegar. The dimensions of the rocket
made with this propellant were 1 1/8 inch ID, with a 1/2 inch core.
Mix the copper oxide, PVC and silicone first, in a plastic bag. Then
mix in the ammonium perchlorate. The stuff is said to be somewhat
crumbly, and presses well.
Ammonium perchlorate..............................63
Silicone II.......................................22
Copper(II)oxide...................................10
PVC...............................................5
Rocket
Tracer
(Strapped
to side of rocket)
Saltpeter.......................................5
Sulfur...............................................2
Red arsenic.........................................3
Tourbillions
(Whirlwinds)
Regular
rocket with 2 wings attached in opposite inclines so rocket violently
spins itself into the air
#1
Saltpeter.................8
Meal powder................7
Charcoal.........................2
Sulfur............................2
Steel filings........................3
#2
Saltpeter.................5
Meal powder................12
Charcoal.........................3
Sulfur............................3