14 replies to this topic

[madtrick]

Hi guys,

I have been wondering for some time now weather you could colour bp green or red without messing around too much with the mixture. I have looked everywhere, but haven't found the answers.

Thanks, (sorry if this has already been posted, I have searched for it)
Matt

[overflow]

Hi guys,

I have been wondering for some time now weather you could colour bp green or red without messing around too much with the mixture. I have looked everywhere, but haven't found the answers.

Thanks, (sorry if this has already been posted, I have searched for it)
Matt

It's not really that simple. mainly because black powder already has it's own colour. There are specific formulas for colouring the flame.
What you can do is to add some alluminium powder to the black powder to make a "white" flame (and it will burn faster, be carefull!)

[madtrick]

Great, aluminium gives a nice effect.
I heard that adding different kinds of mineral salts changes the colour. Such as strontium for red, and barium for green.
I got this info off youtube, its a good video!
Matt

[paul]

I heard that adding different kinds of mineral salts changes the colour. Such as strontium for red, and barium for green.

Yes, but you won´t get a red burning black powder just by adding SrCO3 to it. There are special mixtures for every colour you want to create. Just have a look around here or use the PFP database for example.
SrCO3 for example needs a very hot flame to emit its nice red flame, this is why it is usually mixed with chlorates or perchlorates and certain additives like chlorine donors to improve the colour quality.

[overflow]

One thing: when you mix aluminium with BP and you won't use it right away you must add 2% boric acid (you can get it from your local pharmacy) to prevent an exotermic reaction between the nitrate and the aluminium, witch could lead to spontaneus combustion.

[portfire]

Hi. Adding boric acid is there to counteract the Al/nitate reaction but if your mixing small quantities and work on a make/shoot basis you should be ok (depending on other factors,if you smell ammonia when working with a damp comp,move the mix to a safe place and dispose) but this as been discussed in other topics.

paul is right ,BP or nitrate based comps dont burn hot enough to produce good colors.

As for the link,i recorded this when it was first aired, good program but it was slightly missinformed i thought.
I will say one thing though,if you go to 7.13 you'll see one hell of a shell,some people want to know what this effect is called (me included) and i think this is a perfect example of it. Sorry to be off topic


regards
dean

Edited by portfire, 25 April 2007 - 09:16 PM.

[madtrick]

Yes, it looked like they were only using rice husks in the shells with no charge in center or even stars.

[Creepin_pyro]

I will say one thing though,if you go to 7.13 you'll see one hell of a shell,some people want to know what this effect is called (me included) and i think this is a perfect example of it. Sorry to be off topic
regards
dean

I believe those are farfalle inserts.

[madtrick]

I have to try some of them!
Anyway, back on the subject. Does anyone know of any lifting charge which has or can be modified to give a trail of a certain colour except gold?

[Mumbles]

What do you mean? You're not very clear in what you want. Do you want the lift charge to give a different color than the standard orange/gold? You do realise the lifting charge burns very fast, and doesn't rise with the shell.

Perhaps what you want is a rising tail on the shell? This is done by attaching a comet to the shell. Any color or effect you want can be done this way.

[Creepin_pyro]

madtrick, you need to forget all the terminology in that 'how to make fireworks' video. Fireworks do not detonate and rockets do not use a lifting charge. Reading this glossary would be a good place to start...

[madtrick]

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I meant the rocket trail in something like a bottle rocket.

[pudi.dk]

That video was extremely uncorrect in relation to discovery programs. "pyrotechnicians call this effect bursting charge" and a cake is firing... wtf? that's lifting charge!

[portfire]

"And the secret ingredient is rice"

[madtrick]

Looking back on the video, it has been put together rather oddly. Like when they are talking about black powder, and demonstate how they use it at night, when they then ignite a fountain. And also just after they talk about shells, they show a rocket taking off, then again in slow - mo ???

But I sure would like to empty out a huge pile of black powder, and wade my hands through it. Ggggrrrrrrrr