7 replies to this topic

[Frozentech]

Decided to make *something* with Ammonium Perchlorate today. So, went with simple and did up a few 1/4" x 5" lances using a formula from Peregrin's Introductory Practical Pyrotechnics, "McClain Violet" to give the color enhancing properties of Ammonium Perc a workout.

I already had some lance tube rolled from previous projects, so I just hopped to it. Read through the article, and mixed up the comp:

McClain Violet
Ammonium Perchlorate 48
Strontium Carbonate 10
Copper (II) Oxide 6
Sulfur 6
Magnalium 50:50 31 ( I used -100 mesh)

Using 25/75 Alchohol/H2O as solvent, I dampened it, and moved to my assembly area, first removing my respirator ( I was using a nice 1/2 face mask with organic vapor cartridges ) As soon as I pulled the mask off, the stale cat-piss odor of ammonia hit me. "Crap, what've I gone and done? *Magnalium* isn't that reactive with H2O" Of course, it *is* reactive with ammonium perc. NO mention in the article or formula of pickling the MgAl with dichromate either Well I went ahead and packed the lance tube since the comp wasn't heating up, and the smell faded quickly. I slapped together a small drying shed out of old paneling, and put them outdoors to dry. While the lances were drying, I could definitely feel them heating up, so for about 1/2 hour I was constantly monitoring them, they didn't get uncomfortably hot, just obviously warm. Once they dried they cooled off rapidly, so packed the last 1/4" with Perchlorate prime, and they are waiting until dark to light up.

I'll make a video, and post the link. Lessons learned :

1) From now on, I am a Potassium Dichromate believer.
2) Even well respected authors leave out important info.

[edit] the wmv movie is at http://s17.yousendit...Y72A26H6ZFQ08M6

Edited by Frozentech, 21 October 2005 - 05:28 AM.

[Frozentech]

Well, I lit off 5 of those lances, they worked very well. Extremely bright, and gorgeous violet, wine purple hue.
Burn time was 55 sec apiece. I didn't quickmatch them to go together, for this test. Just as well, I would be blind now I bet 3/8" stars of this would look right pretty.

Edited by Frozentech, 21 October 2005 - 05:27 AM.

[sizzle]

That looks pretty good. Thank god you're still not injured after your nervous situation .

[fishy1]

you lucky americans with your kgs of ammonium perchlorate.

[seymour]

I have some Ammonium perchlorate and am loving the superior colours it produces. However it is fairly coarse which is adding to its slow burn rate. I would like to reduce it to dust in a coffee grinder but I have heard that there is a danger of it detonating.
Is there any truth to this?

[portfire]

I have some Ammonium perchlorate and am loving the superior colours it produces. However it is fairly coarse which is adding to its slow burn rate. I would like to reduce it to dust in a coffee grinder but I have heard that there is a danger of it detonating.
Is there any truth to this?

MSDS suggests so

http://physchem.ox.a...erchlorate.html

http://en.wikipedia....ium_perchlorate

[MDH]

Slow burn rate a complaint? Me, I like slow burn rates. It means I can make more stars with less composition.

Why the need for speed?

[Mumbles]

The main reason I can think of is that slower burning, smaller stars, give less light output. Light comes from the energy contained within the stars. Less energy per unit time means dimmer flames. Generally some sort of middle ground is best. There is no use in having 1" stars that burn in less than a second(unless you're making spider shells)