56 replies to this topic

[Jerronimo]

Because of the hygroscopic nature of the kno3/sucrose propellant I tried another composition

kno3: 75
bbq charcoal: 15
sulfer: 10

The normal BP mix but with lower quality charcoal, the core width/depth were the same as with the kno3/sucrose rocket.

And I must say they performed excellent!

They had a nice long tail when going up.

I've got an video of the test, if anybody is interested to put it on their site
just tell me I'll mail it to you.

[crazyjim]

Tiranti Al, 200 grain works for me, but I have not compared with other sources in my thermite experiments. The Al goes black quickly when you start to mix the fe203 with the Al. I have had a lot of trouble starting the thermite, but I understand this is normal. The fe203 I am using is very fine, like talcum powder, 500g was ?2.50 bargain!

Incidentally, has anyone tried sucrose & KN03 with sulphur as a binder to make propellent? It certainly works some magic with first fire mix.

-jim

[Jerronimo]

Hey crazyjim,

Do you mean the 5 cent sugar comp 63/27/10 ?
What did you have in mind, mixing it all together and then heat to melt the sulfer(112 C)?
I don't know what the viscosity of this melted mixture is,(I never tried it)but I think it will remain pretty thick and you will have a hard time handling it .

If this is what you mean ofcource .

One mixture that involves melting sulfer that I know is: yellow powder

I think you have allready seen it somewhere, 60 gram's kno3, 40 gram's potassium carbonate, 20 gram's sulfer.
Put it all together and gently heat untill the mixture is melted.
This gives an flashlike! composition and works really great for burstcharges.

[adamw]

Please be careful with the aforementioned Yellow Powder. As soon as it is melted enough, it WILL explode. It is said to be around 7 times more powerful than BP, but I cannot vouch for that as I have never tried it. It was used long ago as a propellant for hunting. The ingredients were melted and fused together (carefully) and then the mixture allowed to cool and just before it set completely, its porous mass was crumbled into grains.

[lord_dranack]

What purpose does the potassium carbonate serve?

[adamw]

I havent worked out what is going on in the reaction, but it obviously serves a major part. The fact that you have to melt the mix shows that you are imparting a reaction to make a different compound. Surely this is the case and you arent simply making a very intimate mixture of the components?

[PanMaster]

finally, something to look forward to, that stuff sounds amazing
the carbonate produces polysulphides
K2CO3 + 8S => K2S3 + K2S4 + SO2 + CO2

there you go
you heat them below nitrate decomposition temp < 300C and reaction occurs

i think it is called fulminating gold

[BigG]

You are all mad

Do you know how many accidents happened with this reaction? Are you working in a lab where you have temperature control? Do you have a barrier to keep you away from the mixture?

This is worse then mixing flash. Stop this!

[Richard H]

I'd stay away from anything that sensitive and powerfull. Stick to the tried and tested methods when it comes to burst charges.

[Rhodri]

This compound should be called "FOOL-MINATING powder" and sit alongside other dangerous compounds.

[PanMaster]

hey, theres no way i'd ever get hold of normal flash powder, so this stuff sounds like its worth an eardrum or two, potassium carbonate is so cheap compared to exotic chemicals such as perchlorate or aluminium

[BigG]

We are not talking about eardrum or two. I read of at least two death cases back in the early 20th century, and dozens of accidents. This have been phased out for a reason.

Now, how about used granulated black powder? It does the burst job beautifully for large shells, and a reasonable job for smaller ones. H3 is easy to get and break small shells better then most commercial items today. Why oh why do you have to use dangerous composition like yellow powder?

Answer this: 1) Do you know the temperature area where the mixture bound?
2) Do you have the ability of maintaining that range of temperature for x amount of minutes with little fluctuations?
3) Do you have unmanned mixing capabilities?
4) Do you have a blast screen?
5) Are you capable of using the mixture in a safe manner?

I assume that if you can’t invest in perchlorate or aluminium then you probably don’t invest in proper facilities as well.

I had access to all of the above and I didn’t go near this formulation. You think you know better? Be my guest

[Jerronimo]

WOW!!!! I didn't know it was THAT dangerous !

Yes I do have temperature control.

Yes I know the temperature it melts (around 112 celsius).

I have made several batches and had no problems so far,(fjew I'm glad).
After the mixture is melted it turns dark orange, then I remove it from the heat directly!

I think it will only ignite/explode when you continu heating it to a higher temperature until it turns black in color.

I know extreme caution should be taken when handling this mixture.

[adamw]

Nothing is worth an eardrum or two. It could easily end up being a limb or two, or maybe a life or two.

[PanMaster]

YELLOW POWDER is dangerous, don't make it, unless you're reckless like me

Edited by PanMaster, 03 October 2003 - 07:05 PM.