73 replies to this topic

[Potassium chlorate]

I'm out of barium nitrate for the moment. I though that the chlorate would do considering it being a colour and chlorine donor at the same time.

[Potassium chlorate]

What do you think about this: Potassium perchlorate/barium chlorate/magnesium in a ratio 4:3:3? It's like the nitrate recipe with an extra oxygen and chlorine donor.

[Potassium chlorate]

Yellow is really a piece of cake: 85% sodium nitrate (available in any Swedish food store btw) and 15% Mg. The flash is very nice but the report is a mere "whoof" in my experience.

Edited by Pyroswede, 21 January 2009 - 03:47 PM.

[MDH]

I don't think we should forget that as a strong reducer, magnesium opens up a much greater amount of oxidizers (or potential oxidizers) which can be used to create coloured flash compositions, including carbonates, sulfates, benzoates, oxychloride - the list can go on for a long time.

[Potassium chlorate]

I wonder if Mg could make blueish flash with hydrous copper sulfate or at least hydrous copper sulfate that you make an-hydrous in the oven.

You can even make flash of Mg and S, which otherwise usually is a reducer by itself. It's called magnite for those of you who never heard of it before.

[spanner]

Not if my experiments prove anything.

I used different ratios of Mg:CuSO4 that had been oven-dried until nearly all white. Gave a hollow report, bright, but no blue.

For me, the ONLY blue flash (I use the term loosely) has been made with Paris green:

KClO4...........4.2
Mg...............3.5
Paris green....2.0
PVC..............0.3

KClO3............3.2
Mg................4.2
Paris green.....2.25
PVC...............0.35

[Potassium chlorate]

Paris Green needs a permit to buy in Sweden. Maybe K*t*n sells it. I haven't asked him.

[Brakkie]

Just keep an eye on the fact that Paris Green is extremely poisonous! It's the main reason why Paris Green is hardly used in fireworks anymore.

http://cameochemical...v/chemical/2981

I would definetly look for a replacement if I was you and to be honest I DOUBT that Paris Green is still used on a professional scale.

[spanner]

I would definetly look for a replacement if I was you...

No way- it took a year of looking to find this supply! For blue, there are replacements, but precious few compositions duplicate PG blues, if any.

As to the toxicity of Paris green, like many other compounds used in pyrotechnics, if mishandled it can harm you. If you lack the protective gear necessary to handle it or any other toxic substance- then don't.

For myself, PG is useful for comparison's sake as it represents the "Gold Standard" for blue.

[Brakkie]

I know it has it's perfect uses and if obtained I'd definetly keep it! But it's more as a comment for Pyroswede. Paris Green is, as you've stated as well, damn hard to find plus it's damn expensive nowadays (or at least that Paris Green I was offered some time ago).

[spanner]

It sure is expensive! I paid about $25/lb, at least this was delivered. Likely would be more today, what with the cost of Cu (and most all metals) going through the roof.

[Potassium chlorate]

I know it has it's perfect uses and if obtained I'd definetly keep it! But it's more as a comment for Pyroswede. Paris Green is, as you've stated as well, damn hard to find plus it's damn expensive nowadays (or at least that Paris Green I was offered some time ago).

It was actually obtainable in Sweden as late as last year - but only with a permit.

[MDH]

As I said before, there is the potential for low-light output fuels to still produce a blue "report" - If we use, say, copper benzoate and barium or potassium chlorate/perchlorate granulated with a chlorine donor. This may even be useful for blue twinkling star cores with the right ratios.

[starseeker]

I thought you may like to try these coloured flash comps which of yet i have not tested .
These are by Tony Petro and have be used with success at the PGI get togethers.

Red,

strontium nitrate 65
pottasium perc 10
magnesium {2 mic} 36
parlon 14
red gum 3
sulphur 6

Green

Barium Nitrate 65
pottasium per 10
magnesium {2 mic} 36
parlon 16
red gum 7


yellow

sodium nitrate 30
pottasium per 30
magnesium {2 mic }30
parlon 14
red gum 2
sulphur 10