69 replies to this topic

[BigG]

I have deleted the last two post. The thread subject is PIC fuse - please try to retain conversation around it and it's alternatives.

[pyrotrev]

Visco using a perchlorate based core is available and has roughly the same 1"/sec burn rate as PIC, takes fire quite easily and burns hot. However the stuff I have although admirably flexible is NOT waterproof in any shape or form, but if this was overcome it could be a partial replacement.

Edited by pyrotrev, 12 July 2006 - 02:13 PM.

[Darkstar]

Visco using a perchlorate based core is available and has roughly the same 1"/sec burn rate as PIC, takes fire quite easily and burns hot. However the stuff I have although admirably flexible is NOT waterproof in any shape or form, but if this was overcome it could be a partial replacement.

Maybe a light, cheap heat shrink sleeve would work? It may confine it too
much however - and would not help with taking fire. I did try some very
fine BP in heat shrink once - it flew well!

Paul

Edited by Darkstar, 12 July 2006 - 03:21 PM.

[adamw]

Anything with a 'powdery' core may cause trouble - ie in Visco, if cut incorrectly the powder may fall out of a section rendering the fuse unlightable at that point - although with perc based fuse this seems to be less of a problem due to the energy of the composition.

[Give_me_APCP]

Check my last post in the thread titled "Ulitimate water-proof fuse", in the Pyrotechnics forum.

Just wrap Visco with silicone tape. It's easy and quick to do, is probably something just like the PIC fuse from what I hear (although I really can't say as I haven't used PIC), and is a lot easier than trying to get ahold of PIC.

I twisted and bent the fuse badly I tested, and it still worked perfectly. Use the slightly thicker silicone pipe tape, it holds the structure of the fuse under bending very well. You can control the burn rate of coarse by more wrapping, but it is quite hard to speed up the burn of the 2.2mm visco I use, takes a lot of wrap. A good thing in my opinion.

[iggy]

any news on other alternative to pic as we are getting desperatly short just 1full roll left and the 1 in the fuse box is half gone :/ at curreent usage will be totaly out in a about a month

prays for a small miricle that someone starts makeing it again * starts random chanting to the god of fire *


regarding wazzag fuse the red fast fuse is briliant apart from the lack of waterproofness and the fact it loves to absorb moisture on a damp winteres evening:/ briliant for chaseing shells in our fanned 3" racks

Edited by iggy, 22 August 2006 - 08:06 PM.

[iggy]

any news on new fuse types lads?
we are useing the pyrolock system for the first time this year have done a few tests etc and seems prety good.
but still would like a replacment for pic other than manticore

[pyrotrev]

The best substitute I've found is perchlorate cored visco waterproofed with RTV silicone sealer - it burns a tad faster than PIC and nice and hot and is admirably waterproof (see video of it burning underwater at http://www.pyroartis......ed visco.AVI). Unfortunately you can't buy this off the shelf at present, but I've made a little jig to apply the silicone compound (a fairly fluid industrial version would seem to be the best) in a consistent and non-messy manner. Used it on one or two (damp) shows up here in Cumbria and seems to work well.

[BrightStar]

Rumour has it that MLE has recently imported a large quantity of some sort of PIC to the UK.

Has anyone used it? Is it any good?

Edited by BrightStar, 20 July 2008 - 10:42 PM.

[pyrotrev]

Aye, the Mantitor stuff - another good thing to come from Brasil! It's not quite as fierce burning as ICI PIC (actually an advantage under some circumstances), but still does the job well and is mechanically more robust. I like it.