9 replies to this topic

[Golden arrow]

hi. i am new, so il tell u abit about me. i am 13 and live on a farm in the south west. i make my rockets from potasium nitrate-sugar mix, but i was a bit bored one day, and looked arouned the farm for other powders that burn. i came across some wood(sawdust), and tryed that o. i mixed the sawdust with the potassium nitrate, and i was quite supprised wen, with abit of persuasion, it burst into flames and slowly burnt a hole thro my wooden chock, so if anyone wants avery hot, slowburneng fuel, try this.

[BrightStar]

Hi, welcome to the forum!

The use of sawdust isn't so new, but it's always fun to re-discover things.

Here's a recipe from Weingart in 1947, using it to fill a low cost red parade torch:

Strontium nitrate 30
Potassium chlorate 8
Red gum 7
+ up to 50% fine sawdust

A 1/2" diameter, 12" long torch with this mix should burn for 8 to 12 minutes.

I suggest avoiding chlorates completely when starting out, but I'm sure you could could have fun creating a similar mix without it...

[dr thrust]

hmmm interesting,ive got lots of sawdust being a carpenter!. ive just ordered weingarts book and cant wait for it to plop through the letter box,anyway my question has anybody used hexamine as a fuel in rocket motors, im thinking of trying some,is it the same stuff they use in solid fuel tablets?(camping,model steam engines) ive seen some at hobbychem .

[Creepin_pyro]

It would probably work in combination with Ammonium Perchlorate and a catalyst, not the easiest/safest thing to try!. I have no idea about binding/consolidation other than I would NOT advise ramming/pressing, or trying to use it in a BP-like composition. Don't mix it with Chlorates, and avoid breathing fumes. It's also a relatively expensive fuel, especially from hobbychem!

Save it for nice deep blue microstars!

[dr thrust]

wow looks like nasty stuff,is that what its used for small stars?,i was just interested think i'll stick with sugar,thanks for taking the time to answer my question

[MMMMMM Pyro]

Hi,
Hexamine isn't too bad, MSDS from Oxford University; http://ptcl.chem.ox....urotropine.html
Only bad thing is possible neoplastigen, pretty much the same as carcinogen as far as I know, also, LD50's aren't too nice...

Regards,

Mike

Edited by MMMMMM Pyro, 28 May 2007 - 06:16 PM.

[fishy1]

I used hexamine once, total nightmare, stars had drying problems and burned pathetically and slowly. Also, it set rock hard on it's own if you got it wet, and it was not possible to coffee grind it, I hit it with a hammer and sieved it. Stars also needed heavy priming.

[dr thrust]

Hi,
Hexamine isn't too bad, MSDS from Oxford University; http://ptcl.chem.ox....urotropine.html
Only bad thing is possible neoplastigen, pretty much the same as carcinogen as far as I know, also, LD50's aren't too nice...

Regards,

Mike

hi whats a "Ld50"???? or is it better that i dont know! thanks chris.

[portfire]

Lethal dose 50%.I didn't know either,quick google search and .........

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LD50

Edited by portfire, 02 June 2007 - 12:36 PM.

[dr thrust]

ive got some of those fuel tabs hanging around from some model steam engines ,they are hard and burn for a good 15 mins,might add a bit to some kn03 in the name of pyro : ho yes babee,just got weingarts book,those parade torches look interesting do they burn for 12,15 mins thats great!, would be nice at a bbq, or dotted about on bonfire night

Edited by chris m, 04 June 2007 - 10:50 PM.