A Plating Method for the Construction of High-Precision Nozzles

A research program to study the effects of density ratio and exit Mach number on the development of a compressible, axisymmetric jet has been undertaken, using different gases to change the density of the jet. However, each gas and Mach number combination requires a unique nozzle contour, and the manufacture of the planned number of nozzles by traditional methods would have been prohibitively expensive. A plating technique to inexpensively manufacture high precision nozzles was developed, and a prototype nozzle constructed. Data are presented which shows the flow quality to be as good as or better than the nozzles used by previous experimenters.