121 replies to this topic

[BrightStar]

One question with dragons' eggs - is the random delay in 'cracking' inherent in the burning of the formula itself, or is it dependent on the prime used?

Can the comp burn slowly for a while before popping, or is the delay solely due to the environment we ignite it in?

Edited by BrightStar, 12 November 2006 - 06:08 PM.

[Frozentech]

One question with dragons' eggs - is the random delay in 'cracking' inherent in the burning of the formula itself, or is it dependent on the prime used?

Can the comp burn slowly for a while before popping, or is the delay solely due to the environment we ignite it in?

The eggs seem to have a 'smolder' phase that varies in time, between explosions.

[karlfoxman]

Its the properties of magnallium, it burns with a vibrating flame.

[EnigmaticBiker]

Its the properties of magnallium, it burns with a vibrating flame.

Very interesting, is that in a similar way as stobe compositions, smoulder/flash/smoulder/flash, etc.?

(As it burns all the Mg on the surface, in a flash, then the Al smoulder phase?)

[adamw]

I'm not sure it works like Mg->Al->Mg->Al etc (because the combination in the alloy will be soooo intimate there will hardly be any distinguishing)

[EnigmaticBiker]

I'm not sure it works like Mg->Al->Mg->Al etc (because the combination in the alloy will be soooo intimate there will hardly be any distinguishing)

Yes, it's unlikely the alloy would be organised in layers.

Oh dear, I can see hours researching metallurgy, crystal structures, electron microscopy...

...to find out why I'm wrong.

[hoarp001]

excuse my ignorance, but what are Dragon Eggs?!

[EnigmaticBiker]

excuse my ignorance, but what are Dragon Eggs?!

The bluish-white crackling stars used in rockets, mines and fountains. Here is a ground test of a crackle ball.

http://www.jackerypy...new_crackle.avi

Edited by EnigmaticBiker, 14 November 2006 - 01:32 PM.

[pyrotrev]

The bluish-white crackling stars used in rockets, mines and fountains. Here is a ground test of a crackle ball.

I'd always thought (from reading labels on shells) that "dragons eggs" is the kind of delayed-but-altogether-at-almost-the-same-time crackling made by single biggish microstars rolled with an outer (dark fire) layer, whilst crackle stars give a more continuous effect by having lots of little microstars mixed up in e.g. a charcoal or silver comet mix. What do other people reckon?

[Creepin_pyro]

This is the way I see it:

I think 'Dragon egg' refers to the individual grain of composition which crackles. I think there's a special name for the specific effect you're describing, which uses dragon eggs rolled with Titanium in a dark delay, but I can't remember the term...... time rain? or is it something else? There's a distinct difference between these stars and 'normal' stars with a dragon egg at their core.

The crackling comets are simply a matrix composition with many dragon eggs embedded within.

[EnigmaticBiker]

Okay, okay, I was just trying to find the simplest explanation possible.

[pyrotrev]

This is the way I see it:
I think 'Dragon egg' refers to the individual grain of composition which crackles.

That's interesting, I'd not heard of that before, thanks. "Time rain" is the right word for the Ti spiked crackle - it seems to be an extension of the crackling microstar core idea, but with flake Ti added, normally used for the single big microstar core construction, but can be used in a matrix too as shown in some shells I recently got from Lidu. Most of the "Dragon eggs" shells I've fired don't have the Ti though, they just give a big rush of normal crackle.

Okay, okay, I was just trying to find the simplest explanation possible.

No problem - just wanted to discuss the strange name the Chinese give to these things!

Edited by pyrotrev, 16 November 2006 - 01:30 PM.

[Addiction]

Hello guys,

I just want to ask you. I don't have magnallium, maybe just Al will work?

[EnigmaticBiker]

Hello guys,

I just want to ask you. I don't have magnallium, maybe just Al will work?

No, as far as I know, it needs the particular characteristics of Magnalium and I've not seen a formulation without it.

I suspect it wouldn't crackle, just burn.

[Addiction]

Thanks EnigmaticBiker. It's a little bit pity becouse I don't have magnalium and in the Lithuania it's almost impossible to get it.