Hello everyone,
a few days ago we (Forschungsgemeinschaft Alternative Raumfahrt - FAR
e.V.) tested an O-motor with a nitrate-based fuel. The part of the
nozzle near the combustion chamber was made of graphite and withstood
the high temperatures and the abrasive exhaust without any problems. The
nozzle extension - for weight reasons made of carbon fiber reinforced
epoxy resin (tempered, but otherwise standard resin), material thickness
3 - 7 mm - however, failed after about one second of burning time (see
attached photos).
Question(s): What can be improved to prevent the extension from burning
through in the future? Is there any chance at all chance to make a
weight-saving nozzle extension made of composite, designed for a burn
time of 5 - 10 seconds? Which more temperature-resistant resin should I
use? Which reinforcing fibers are (more) useful? Do basalt fibers have a
significant advantage over carbon fibers?
Regards,
Hagen
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before.jpg
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full_thrust.jpg
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failure.jpg
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after.jpg
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