🏠
Mixture & Preparation
- 1 cup water
- Approximately 1 1/2 test parts Potassium Nitrate (KNO₃)
Burn Test Results by Boil Time
3-Minute Boil
- Burn times: 2:40, 2:18
- Average: 2:29 ± 0:11
4-Minute Boil
- Burn times: 2:58, 2:35, 2:41
- Average: 2:45 ± 0:13
5-Minute Boil
- Burn times: 1:28, 2:19, 1:48
- Average: 1:52 ± 0:26
7-Minute Boil
- Burn times: 52s, 58s, 55s
- Average: 55s ± 3s
8-Minute Boil
- Burn times: 1:30, 1:09, 2:08
- Average: 1:35 ± 29s
9-Minute Boil
- Note: Strings were flexed to loosen fibers ("broken in")
- Burn time: 1:13
12-Minute Boil
- Note: A different dyed string was used
- All strings from here on were broken in
- Burn times: 1:03, 46s, 33s
- Average: 47s ± 15s
13-Minute Boil
- Burn times: 31s, 43s, 30s
- Average: 35s ± 7s
14-Minute Boil
- Burn times: 12s, 13s, 17s
- Average: 14s ± 3s
15-Minute Boil
- Initial burn: 5 seconds (stopped)
- Relit and continued for 12 more seconds
Additional Experiment
- Two 15-minute boiled fuses were wrapped together
- Burned aggressively for 14 seconds
Separate Observation: High Saturation Test
- Mixture was highly saturated
- Failed to maintain flame once ignition source was removed, even when bundled
Conclusion
- Breaking in string may reduce burn time and increase fuse reliability
- Highly saturated strings lose combustion stability