15 replies to this topic

[RegimentalPyro]

I spent a couple of hours yesterday hacksawing up brass bar into ?inch lengths for use as milling media. At the end of this procedure I was left with a fair sized pile of brass powder which I couldn't bring myself to throw out.

Is it any use in pyro or should I just bite the bullet and chuck it out?

[Jerronimo]

Chuck it out

[Richard H]

Just keep it as a scientific curiosity I too have a good amount of the stuff, even though it is quite useless in pyrotechnics.

[Stuart]

I'm sure that I have seen one or two instances where it has been used. Because it is an alloy and cotains Copper, it can be used for colour.

[Phoenix]

Guess what - my 1/2" brass rod just got delivered yesterday too, and I have been thinking exactly the same thing. There several posts in the rec.pyotechnics archive saying that it is possible to use brass and/or bronze key filings in BP fountains to good effect, several from people who've tried and failed, and one or two claiming they've done it and it works. The effect is supposed to be aqua sparks. No doubt it depends on the actual proportions oc copper and zinc, but there's no harm in trying (I'll let you know what happens when I do).

[Creepin_pyro]

How does it look when dribbled through a flame?

I've had my eye on some Copper/Aluminium alloy, but it's expensive stuff, and I can only find one formula containing it.

[RegimentalPyro]

How does it look when dribbled through a flame?

I've had my eye on some Copper/Aluminium alloy, but it's expensive stuff, and I can only find one formula containing it.

Good idea.

I dribbled a pinch through a blowtorch flame and they came out bright orange, I'll put it in a fountain and let you know

[Stuart]

You will probably want quite a hot flame and have it in for a second or two to get up to temprature. I dont think that the proportions of Copper/Zinc in brass vary that much, about 90% Copper and 10% Zinc is the normal alloy from what I have read.

[Phoenix]

I haven't actually got around to cutting mine yet (probably tomorrow or Sunday). Testing metals in a gas flame isn't always very accurate. My home made aluminium flake doesn't usually ignite like this, but makes great fountains.

[Phoenix]

I tried some brass mixed with BP (no particular ratio, just "enough" by eye), in a loose burn and rammed in a 1/4" tube. It did not produce any particularly interesting visual effects, just very dull, short lived red sparks. However, it did make a quiet, but none the less noticable enough crackling, not unlike magnesium powder. On the whole, however, pretty dissapointing, and, for my alloy at least, not very useful in fireworks.

[cat]

In the past I?ve used 200-400mesh brass in my e-matches to provide long lasting sparks. This process was replaced by Si I find the molten glass works better. JMHO -Cat

[Phoenix]

What did the sparks from the brass look like? Were they the aqua colour that some people report, or just a dull red like mine?

[cat]

Sorry i only check this board once a week or so..

What did the sparks from the brass look like? Were they the aqua colour that some people report, or just a dull red like mine?

Orange in color, very dull.

-Cat

[Phoenix]

No problem. Thanks. It seems that successfully obtaining aqua sparks from brass is a fairly rare occurence.

[Pyrorand]

No problem. Thanks. It seems that successfully obtaining aqua sparks from brass is a fairly rare occurence.

I have not seen any formulas that use brass powder but what I do is cut the bars into 3/4" pieces and use them in my ballmill. I was using lead for the longest time but did not like the contamination that it was causing.
Pyrorand