Huh, just a couple weeks ago I went 3 CATOs for 4 motors on a design that
had a perfect 14/14 success rate previously. KNDX grains were stored in
fridge with desiccant for 2+ years. I always use a KNSU header grain with
KNDX for fast ignition, those grains were fresh.
I also had my first PVC motor CATO experience. It does shatter into small
pieces, but they do not travel far at all because of their high drag to
weight ratio. I already knew this from... extensive non-rocket pvc
exploding shenanigans... but confirmed it for real. Be safe though, my
anecdote does not by itself constitute a final conclusion on the matter.
On Mon, Mar 4, 2019 at 10:05 AM Richard Nakka <richard.rocketry@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
But did these motors have the same safety margin? Perhaps these motors
that did not CATO were more tolerant to higher pressure.
Richard
On Mon, Mar 4, 2019 at 8:36 AM Nikolai Nielsen <
nielsen.nikolai86@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
i had some motors of the same size and age that didnt have RIO and they
didnt kato. the RIO is doing something
Nikolai Nielsen
On Mon, 4 Mar 2019 at 16:29, Richard Nakka <richard.rocketry@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
My experience regarding long term storage is with KNSU, KNSB and KNDX.
I've used both KNSB and KNDX after being stored for about a year with no
noticeable change in performance. Storage was in redundant zip-lock bags at
room temperature in a relatively low humidity environment (approx. 60% +'/-
10%). I've stored KNSU for long durations in a zip-lock bag in a freezer
with similar results (this is probably your best bet for storage). As noted
by others, *never *store your grains with desiccant for more than a
week or so. The residual moisture is sucked out and the burn rate increases
enough such that a CATO could result when fired (depending on your safety
margin). Moisture is a burn rate inhibitor. I'm guessing but the effect
could be exacerbated by RIO.
On Sat, Mar 2, 2019 at 5:24 PM Nikolai Nielsen <
nielsen.nikolai86@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
6 months to a year and KNSU
On Sun, 03 Mar 2019, 1:09 AM Ben Brockert, <wikkit@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
What is "old" in this context? And is this KNSB or plain sugar or
sugar/corn syrup or what?
On Fri, Mar 1, 2019 at 8:33 AM Nikolai Nielsen
<nielsen.nikolai86@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
has a limited life span in terms if usability. I tested some old motors
I've recently observed that old fuel (atlest fuel with RIO in it)
that had RIO in it and they all katoed. I also has some old powdered fuel
used for making hand rammed motors and the the motors that I make now with
it all Kato. I made new fuel and it worked fine. I suspect that maybe the
RIO catalises some side reactions that makes the fuel become unstable?
Anyone able to shed some light on what's going on here?
