Investigation of the Post-Static Fire Test Effect on the RX320 Rocket Motor Nozzle Through Mechanical Properties Testing of Graphite Material Setiadi (a*), Bagus Wicaksono (a), Fajar Ariwandono (b), Nurul Lailatul Muzayadah (b), Taufiq Satrio Nurtiasto (b)
a ) Rockets Technology Centre, National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), Indonesia
*seti1159[at]gmail.com, bagus_wicaksono2002[at]yahoo.com
b ) Aeronautics Technology Centre, National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), Indonesia
Abstract
Abstract. Rocket nozzle is a crucial and complicated part of a rocket, primarily for rocket RX320. Its function is to control the exhaust flow, so the rocket gets the maximum possible amount of forward thrust. However, Graphite materials are materials used inside rocket due to good mechanical properties and high melting temperatures resistance. This study discussed the effect of post-static rocket fire testing on the mechanical properties of graphite materials compared to graphite technical data sheet (TDS). Mechanical properties testing has been done to determine the average value of flexural strength with the three-point bending test method and the average value of the compressive test. The graphite has an average three-point bending test value of 40.185 MPa, with an average elastic modulus of 0,656 GPa. Furthermore, the average compressive test of graphite has a value of 67.71 MPa, with an average load of 1560 N. The mechanical properties trends are slightly decreasing due to post static fire testing compared to TDS. It was around 23,94 % for flexural strength and 49.95% for compressive strength.
Keywords: graphite, nozzle, rocket, three-point bending test, compressive test
