hydrophobic material

[RaZias]

I has reading some stuff about hydrophobic materials, and I think that puting an hibrophobic material inside the rocket (maybe teflon tape ?) would decrease water viscosity and allow to expell all water out avoiding its weight.
I know that maybe the weight of the tape wouldn´t compensate the water weight but for a water+soap it might compensate.

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/kit-eat ... -accidents

Here is a paint version (how about painting the inside of rocket ?)

http://www.spray-shop.co.uk/product.php?id=7

[Tim Chen]

I has reading some stuff about hydrophobic materials, and I think that puting an hibrophobic material inside the rocket (maybe teflon tape ?) would decrease water viscosity and allow to expell all water out avoiding its weight.
I know that maybe the weight of the tape wouldn´t compensate the water weight but for a water+soap it might compensate.

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/kit-eat ... -accidents

Here is a paint version (how about painting the inside of rocket ?)

http://www.spray-shop.co.uk/product.php?id=7

There are a number of car wash soaps on the market that advertise that they decrease the surface tension of water and allow it to run off the car so it requires no drying. I had considered trying this in a rocket. There's also some wash products that have a polymer in them that makes the paint hydrophobic and it "beads up" like wax. I bet one of those would work the same way.

[RaZias]

There are a number of car wash soaps on the market that advertise that they decrease the surface tension of water and allow it to run off the car so it requires no drying. I had considered trying this in a rocket. There's also some wash products that have a polymer in them that makes the paint hydrophobic and it "beads up" like wax. I bet one of those would work the same way

I think using both, the wash soap and the wax, would optimize the effect.
A soap that would get out of the rocket easly in flight would be nice.

[Tim Chen]

There are a number of car wash soaps on the market that advertise that they decrease the surface tension of water and allow it to run off the car so it requires no drying. I had considered trying this in a rocket. There's also some wash products that have a polymer in them that makes the paint hydrophobic and it "beads up" like wax. I bet one of those would work the same way

I think using both, the wash soap and the wax, would optimize the effect.
A soap that would get out of the rocket easly in flight would be nice.

If you try the idea, could you post any comparison tests you do? I am very interested in the results.

[RaZias]

Be sure that when I would do the test I will post it.
Altought I am known for suggesting ideas I don´t have time for making them, so I suggest them to at least echange them.

Right now I am building my second launcher, that is more portable and will be able to interchange between 9mm and 22mm.
All the tests will be canceled until spring, here is France it´s the worst winter ever in 30 years.

A static test would be great to weight after how much water or soap remained.

[air.command]

I has reading some stuff about hydrophobic materials, and I think that puting an hibrophobic material inside the rocket (maybe teflon tape ?) would decrease water viscosity and allow to expell all water out avoiding its weight.
I know that maybe the weight of the tape wouldn´t compensate the water weight but for a water+soap it might compensate.

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/kit-eat ... -accidents

Here is a paint version (how about painting the inside of rocket ?)

http://www.spray-shop.co.uk/product.php?id=7

Hi Razias,

This is an interesting proposal, and worth pursuing. Foam sure does stick well inside a regular bottle. It's interesting because you want the nozzle material to be the exact opposite (hydrophilic) in order to reduce friction.

- George

[Andromeda]

I has reading some stuff about hydrophobic materials, and I think that puting an hibrophobic material inside the rocket (maybe teflon tape ?) would decrease water viscosity and allow to expell all water out avoiding its weight.
I know that maybe the weight of the tape wouldn´t compensate the water weight but for a water+soap it might compensate.

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/kit-eat ... -accidents

Here is a paint version (how about painting the inside of rocket ?)

http://www.spray-shop.co.uk/product.php?id=7

Hi Razias,

This is an interesting proposal, and worth pursuing. Foam sure does stick well inside a regular bottle. It's interesting because you want the nozzle material to be the exact opposite (hydrophilic) in order to reduce friction.

- George

Have you guys looked at teflon spray lubricant? The reason I mention this is because a while ago I tried to make my launch tube slipperier and the only thing I had in my shed was a can of tri-flow bike chain lubricant. I noticed that this stuff repels water in a huge way. If you spray it on and let it soak in before wiping it off you will get a nice film of teflon on any surface and it repels water and is very slippery. It doesn't seem to wear off easily and it doesn't collect dirt. If you do testing then I would suggest you try it out.

[U.S. Water Rockets1]

I has reading some stuff about hydrophobic materials, and I think that puting an hibrophobic material inside the rocket (maybe teflon tape ?) would decrease water viscosity and allow to expell all water out avoiding its weight.
I know that maybe the weight of the tape wouldn´t compensate the water weight but for a water+soap it might compensate.

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/kit-eat ... -accidents

Here is a paint version (how about painting the inside of rocket ?)

http://www.spray-shop.co.uk/product.php?id=7

Hi Razias,

This is an interesting proposal, and worth pursuing. Foam sure does stick well inside a regular bottle. It's interesting because you want the nozzle material to be the exact opposite (hydrophilic) in order to reduce friction.

- George

Have you guys looked at teflon spray lubricant? The reason I mention this is because a while ago I tried to make my launch tube slipperier and the only thing I had in my shed was a can of tri-flow bike chain lubricant. I noticed that this stuff repels water in a huge way. If you spray it on and let it soak in before wiping it off you will get a nice film of teflon on any surface and it repels water and is very slippery. It doesn't seem to wear off easily and it doesn't collect dirt. If you do testing then I would suggest you try it out.

That looks like an interesting lubricant to test out. We currently use WD-40 for our launch tube, but it seems to get blasted off by the thrust after only a few flights. We will give this a go and see how it works.