Interesting, thanks for mentioning that. It's possible that there's some
fundamental difference between the metal loaded slag of an APCP motor and
whatever the solid is in a sugar motor.
On Sunday, September 10, 2017, Steve Peterson <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Actually, I did try that. I didn't notice much difference. Not sure why.
--Steve
On 09/09/2017 11:43 PM, Ben Brockert wrote:
A solution to slag in APCP motors is the addition of a small
percentage of silicone oil. It burns to amorphous silicon dust, which
acts as both a thermal insulator and apparently keeps other solids
from being able to stick to the convergent section.
For liquid engines it's typical to use low viscosity silicone oil,
like 50 centistoke, but for a solid the viscosity likely doesn't
matter as much. If someone has time for an experiment, adding a half
or one percent of silicone oil (available in small quantities at
reasonable prices at drugstores as a "personal lubricant") might solve
the slag problem.
On Sat, Sep 9, 2017 at 7:42 PM, Steve Peterson
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On 09/09/2017 03:49 PM, Mike Smith wrote:
Steve Peterson, is the slag you mention un-burned sugar? And does itcarbonate but I'm not a chemist. Richard N. might know; when dissolved
always occur in sugar motors? Most of the sugar web sites I have read
do not
even mention it. I wonder if more oxidizer or a more efficient way of
mixing
(dissolving in water method) can lessen its presence.
It's the residue left over after burning--I believe it is potassium
in a
small amount of water, it has a very soapy feel to it. It can, at times,
be
rock-hard and require considerable soaking in water to get it cleaned off
the nozzle or other surface.
--Steve
