36 replies to this topic

[440rt]

First thanks to all the posters for helping me out along my way. Second I have some Magnalium -325 and Magnalium -10 + 30, and I can’t find any formulas to use it in. Most of the formulas I have use Magnalium -200 or -100. Does anyone know of a way I can use it up. Thanks

[newtoolsmith]

I use -325# magnalium in stars.

I prefer magnalium therefor because it is made and milled very easy and I have a large mass of magnesium to produce it (old VW Käfer engine).

I tried using it for flash but it didnt work. I think MgAl is much too brittle to be flake shaped after milling.

Mfg
newtoolsmith

[Richard H]

The fine Mg/Al will be useful in stars as a fuel to aid coloured flame production, for example you might combine it with strontium nitrate, potassium perchlorate, an organic fuel like red gum, a chlorine donor, a small percentage of charcoal, and a bit of dextrin.

The course Mg/Al will be usable in gerbs, often providing a nice crackling / sizzling effect. Try a basic gerb composition with around 10% metal content. A wider range of mesh sizes will provide a more visually appealing effect. Make sure you use a press, ramming is not advised!

[440rt]

Thanks for the responses. For colored stars I use the Veline color system which calls for -200 mesh magnalium, do you think I can use the 10 + 30 mesh or the 325 mesh and roll my stars as usual? I would imagine that the courser magnalium would sparkle a lot more, but I not sure if they would blow blind more easily or be to harder to roll. I use Veline’s prime. What would be the effect of the finer 325 mesh? Thanks for the help.

[Creepin_pyro]

I'd try the -325 in your Veline stars. I don't think it will make much difference in performance other than to increase burn speed somewhat.

As Richard suggested, your coarser Magnalium is probably best suited to gerbs. I'm not sure if it's slightly TOO coarse, but you might find some use for it in strobes and crackling microstars.

[BrightStar]

I'd try the -325 in your Veline stars. I don't think it will make much difference in performance other than to increase burn speed somewhat.

I have used very fine magnalium (5 micron) in Veline stars and it works well. The burn rate might be slightly higher, but they seem relatively easy to ignite, you still get some of the 'sizzle' and the colours seem fine.

Edited by BrightStar, 07 January 2007 - 09:20 PM.

[440rt]

Thanks for ideas. Now I can get ride of some of the stuff I didn't know what do with

[cplmac]

The 325 can be used to help round out the sound of a flash comp. I think it adds a little to the bottom end.

[maxman]

I was just reading the thread about strobing formulas. I was thinking of trying this formula

Barium Nitrate 51
Potassium nitrate 7
Sulfur 19
Magnalium 18
Dextrin 5

I dont fancy making magnalium and from what I've read the 10 micron for sale at hobbychem is unlikely to work well. Would this be a better buy at -250mesh? I'm not too sure how mesh converts to micron but from what i've read would I be correct in thinking -250 mesh is about 50 micron?

Also would I need to coat the magnalium in this formula?

[treefingers]

I bought the exact same magnalium from that ebay seller before and tried it in the above forumla. The results weren't great, more of a fliker than strobe which i'm guessing is due it being too fine mesh. I got a new camera today so i'll try and get a video of one.

One thing suprised me was recently I accidentally tried lighting some of these stars semi wet. They were extremely hard to ignite but i found that they burnt with a very slow strobe. I was thinking could a delay agent be used to compensate for using higher mesh Magnalium?

[Richard H]

Also would I need to coat the magnalium in this formula?

Adding 1% boric acid in your solution is probably a better strategy. Mg/Al is more like Aluminium in its reactivity, and so similar precautions should be taken in its use. Also try to use as little water as possible.

[maxman]

Ill keep my eye out for some 100 or 200 mesh then. Something else for Inoxia to start stocking I think. Apart from making it anyone know of any sources n the UK?

[treefingers]

I was just reading the thread about strobing formulas. I was thinking of trying this formula

Barium Nitrate 51
Potassium nitrate 7
Sulfur 19
Magnalium 18
Dextrin 5

I dont fancy making magnalium and from what I've read the 10 micron for sale at hobbychem is unlikely to work well. Would this be a better buy at -250mesh? I'm not too sure how mesh converts to micron but from what i've read would I be correct in thinking -250 mesh is about 50 micron?

Also would I need to coat the magnalium in this formula?

I managed to get a video of these stars using -250 mesh .....

http://s85.photobuck...estarmine-1.flv

More of a twinkling effect but still quite pretty.

[maxman]

What size stars were those treefingers? I beleive that comp buns a long time.

[treefingers]

IIRC they were 1/2" pumped and yea they do seem to have quite a long burn time. I also found them quite hard to ignite so I had to use a step up prime as meal prime didn't seem to work.

The problem with this is i'm finding there is a delay before ignition and combined with thier slow burn rate they more often then not end up hitting the floor. For example below is a star mine I made with these stars...

http://www.youtube.c...4...ser&search=

Is there anyway around this? I was thinking of mabey trying a perchlorate based prime but i'm not sure if would be hot enough. Anyone have any ideas?