...
| Test Number | Grams BP Used | Glue Type | Results | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.5 | Zap-A-Gap Medium CA+ | Approximate equilibrium extension of 5.5in It was at approximately ambient pressure when we unscrewed it which meant that the bolt didn’t go shooting out. A lot of residue on the walls—could be improved by using much less glue. Couldn’t fully clean before the next test as a result. Small amount of movement–maybe the gas was able to leak out a little bit? The piston was definitely pressurized when we got to it at approximately ambient pressure but it wasn't at the same volume because the rod had moved. | May have lost small amount of black powder and/or displaced other powder when getting rid of excess glue. We performed a tap test and black powder did not come loose once the glue was dry |
| 2 | 1.0 | Insta-Cure Super Thin 1-3 sec | Very loud noise, the epoxy was blown of the FireBolt and then conservation of momentum worked against us. Even though the piston was clamped down, it was able to slide forward significantly. |
Videos and Images
Observations and Suggested Improvements
- Slot the 1/4 NPT cap instead of the Firebolt
- Only use a drop of glue at a time otherwise it won't dry.
Disassembly and Cleaning
Disassembling the piston was surprisingly difficult. When it was finally disassembled, we noticed that the black powder residue didn't extend very far up into the bore. We theorize that this is because the reaction occurred faster than the piston rod could move up the bore.