Fin flutter is an important consideration when designing a rocket. It refers to an aerodynamic phenomenon where the forces acting on the fins of your rocket will cause such an extreme moment, that it will permanently deform or snap the wings, leading to a catastrophic failure. Fin flutter is a function of the fin's cross-sectional area, thickness, and modulus of elasticity.
Calculating Fin Flutter
There are multiple ways to calculate fin flutter, either by hand, with calculators, or with flow simulations. It is usually best to use two different methods to ensure you are getting comparable results. FinSim is a software package that is best suited for calculating fin flutter, and can be downloaded by contacting an administrator of the team. Beyond that, there are a series of websites that show the formulas needed to calculate flutter, and some Excel calculators that can be used as well. These can be found below in the "Links" section.
Links
Apogee Newsletter 291 "Fin Flutter"
MatWeb Physical Properties Database