First Fully Lathe-Machined Convergent-Divergent Steel Nozzle!
This represents my inaugural endeavor in fabricating a steel nozzle using stock material and lathe equipment. Currently without specific applications, hydrostatic testing could provide valuable insights.
Nozzle Design Specifications
- 45° half-angle convergent section
- 30° half-angle transition
- Approximately 0.2" throat diameter
- 45° half-angle divergent section
Construction Notes
The design prioritizes experimentation rather than optimization, with no strict dimensional specifications. Equipment utilized included vintage machinery (approximately 60-year-old lathe with modified cutting edges and worn drill bits).
Future Plans
I intend to develop formal schematics and source smaller materials compatible with current rocket motor experiments to evaluate potential nozzle-based performance improvements.