Proportions (a primer)

[Tard]

By weight, not volume.

Potassium Nitrate - 65%

Sugar - 35%

The sugar is ocassionally blended with corn-syrup and sometimes also plain water.

Because corn-syrup is a sugar also, it's included in the percent of sugar in the blend. 65/35 is the common mix.

Because sugars melt and/or decompose at different temps, you'll have to be cautious about the type used. Sucrose, Sorbitol, Fructose, Dextrose; sugars differ.

[Tard]

This is the only pic taken of my last cooking experiment. 65% Potassium Nitrate, 19% corn syrup, 16% sucrose (powdered-sugar), and just a tiny sprinkle of RIO (Red Iron Oxide) for that pretty cherry color. Hehee, naw, it's not added for color, but a tiny bit of RIO increases burn-rate. Faster thrust from the rocket nozzle.

Unfortunately, was cooking using a brand-new pan, and didn't realize the "no-hot-spots" coating on the bottom would continue cooking the fuel even after removing it from the hotplate! It got overcooked and crumbly, no longer usable as a rocket propellent.... [img]frown.gif[/img]