Flash products
#1
Posted 02 February 2004 - 02:21 PM
For example, I took a single 8mm white star, a small circle of flash paper, and some electric sparkle additive (comp unknown) with a small amount of copper oxide added. Placing the star in the centre of the paper, powder was added to surround the star, leaving just enough free paper to twist or glue the end to keep the star together. When launched, the stars leave the tube emmiting bright blue sparkles in quite a dense cloud, then countinue as normal white stars.
I have also experimented with using flash cotton instead of coarse grained BP to launch these things, with great success. I've reached a good 20-30 feet in the air with a lovely "pfoot" sound from the cotton.
I realise there are more conventional ways of producing colour changing stars, but I have little equipment, and my star rolling is still in the experimental stage.
Thought this might be of interest, if not of much practical use. Hope it sits well in this forum, as flash products are used mostly in theatre/film SFX.
#2
Posted 02 February 2004 - 07:09 PM
The use of flash cotton etc as a lifting medium has been dabbled with before, but as you said, would probably work out more expensive. The safety of such a method also has to be established - ie chemical compatibility. In essence what you have with flashpaper is nitric acid. Although in the manufacture stage it should have been rigerously cleaned to remove any free acid, the fact that some may remain or may leech out or form from decomposition of the paper should not be ruled out.
When you say "Placing the star in the centre of the paper, powder was added to surround the star" I assume you mean the sparkle additive, yes?
I am interested to know how pure and bright the blue effect produced was. Sparkle additive generally contains 'orbron' type bright aluminum and magnesium. Wether it contains a chlorine donor which may have enhanced the blue colour I do not know.
What brand is the additive? PyroPak? I have some of this somewhere so may dig it out and try.
Let us know how you get on.
#3
Posted 02 February 2004 - 08:04 PM
The reason given for using NC was as it is cleaner burning and allowed less salts/chlorine donors to be used so was more environmentaly friendly.
It also mentioned a giant set of computer controlled mortars developed by disney that uses compressed air to give pinpoint accuracy
#4
Posted 02 February 2004 - 09:24 PM
Blackpowder has been used for thousands of years. To be honest, I don't see it ever being replaced. Stay with me forever! The smell would never be the same!
#5
Posted 03 February 2004 - 09:46 AM
In the end BP can?t allways be replaced, and manely due to burnings caracteristics but also friction and shock problems and price.
I tend to make as few comps as possible to ceep it simple and be abel to reproduce the same comp after a period time.
With 9 differens comps you can make most off the effects out there!
Edited by Yugen-biki, 03 February 2004 - 09:47 AM.
http://www.freewebs....biki/Index.html
#6
Posted 03 February 2004 - 10:05 AM
Anyway, prepared some lovely flash cotton recently. Doesn't compare to the real stuff, as it leaves some ash and burns slightly slower, but created a less dense flame with a kind of arc-ing deep orange sparkliness...
Should have recieved chem order today, so I can stop playing around with the Cat. 1 indoor stuff.
#7
Posted 09 February 2004 - 07:38 PM
#9
Posted 17 August 2004 - 04:47 PM
#10
Posted 18 August 2004 - 07:57 AM
I was wondering, could someone tell me how to make flash cotton for propulsion?
Hi Miniskinny
Technically flash cotton (cellulose nitrate) is not used in pyro.
It's also classed as HE and as such we cannot describe its manufacture here.
If you are interested any decent book (A level +) will explain the process.
Nitrating organics is not a pleasant task either.....
#11
Posted 18 August 2004 - 08:53 AM
What kind of propulsion were you thinking of?
#12
Posted 19 August 2004 - 01:55 AM
Edited by miniskinny, 12 March 2005 - 07:54 AM.
#13
Posted 20 August 2004 - 06:06 PM
#14
Posted 20 August 2004 - 10:23 PM
#15
Posted 28 August 2004 - 04:20 AM
Heh, I guess that's sort of American of me to get those mixed up?
Yes, a common mix up started by the illegal selling of Class B fireworks many years ago. Dont worry I used to think the same thing at one point too .
I dont see flash cotton replacing BP for lifting. I would first elaborate more on how you feel BP can cause problems then someone could help you out. Im having the same issue you are with lift powder, I think it will just take time and a precise practice.(and getting my monster mill started)
Edited by italteen3, 28 August 2004 - 04:54 AM.
2 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 2 guests, 0 anonymous users