Sugar Motor Research Page
Sugar Motor Formulas
I have cast Dextrose and Sorbitol
grains. My current favorite is Sorbitol. It melts at a lower
temperature, but more important to me is it has better working and
casting properties. The sorbitol casts in a manner more similar to my
PBAN with rolled logs mostly not sticking too much until packed. A
couple raps on the table will slide the log to the bottom of the
casting tube. I found Dextrose to be extremely sticky to work with and
difficult to cast in 54mm tubes (with mandrel).
Candy Motor
Workbench - KNSB, KNDX
I use a Waring Kitchen Kettle to melt directly with no oil or wax bath.
I do use a Router speed controller set at low to minimize local hot
spots by lowering the on-temp of the heating elements. Do be extremely careful if you don't use a
double boiler or wax bath! In particular thin pots can be very
problematic.
Vacuum Processing
I find improved grain density and
quality by vacuum processing. My Candy Motor Workbench picture
illustrates my complete setup, but I do have a
Vacuum Processing page with
additional detail on the vacuum processing system and on that page will
maintain any improvements I make.
Casting
I use Loki casting bases and mandrels
and Lyngdal liners.
Sugars
Sucrose, Dextrose, and Soribitol are
all common. I prefer Sorbitol as it's casting propertites are far
superior to the others. In particular it's the least sticky to handle
and it's melting temperature is also the lowest of the 3
Jimmy and a few others like to add or substitute some Karo to
facilitate processing.
Formulas
Basic
65% KNO3
35% Sorbitol
Sparky
Generally metal additions should be
about +10%
58.2% KNO3
31.3% Sorbitol
0.1% Graphite
10% Titanium Flake
Properties
Click on table to visit table source web page.
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