8 replies to this topic

[ak_4554]

Ive done a few tests with nitrate and perchlorate flash using 2micron flake al powder and it works pretty good, ive used 3500 mesh granular al powder before in nitrate flash (granular powder has gravel shaped particles with points edges, 2nd most reactive form) and it still works considerably well. Ive noticed lots of topics on aluminum powder and its forms. Do any of you think i could use granular 3500 mesh al powder for chlorate and perchlorate flash with a decently fast deflageration rate?

[W.P]

Short answer, yes. Should you attempt it with chlorates? No.

[ak_4554]

Short answer, yes. Should you attempt it with chlorates? No.

I understand the danger of chlorates, i just stated chlorates because if it works in chlorates it'll most likely work in perchlorates =P Thanks for the answer though, greaty appreciated!

[Draco_Americanus]

read this http://www.pyrosocie...p?showtopic=821 . it's long but has a lot of info. dark flake is best for flash and it can Detonate rather then deflagrate and can be very dangerus stuff, never mix with chlorate

[MDH]

I sense another detonation discussion on the horizon...

Either way, Put the simple rules of flame and how it works into perspective. Simply put, the easier, the hotter something burns, the faster it will decompose other components, the faster it will propogate through the presence of itself and other present compounds or metals.

Better yet, if the presence of this hot burning substance is in a form that has a wide surface area, the more area the flame will cover. The more thin the aluminum is if you are using flake, the better.

You will find 600 Mesh Dark Aluminum will, needless to say, to be quite powerful. A sheet of this stuff uncrushed into a fine powder will still burn up with a bright flash because of all of the unburned volatiles and carbons inside of it.

1600 Mesh Granular will also work but if it is milled (read, with something to stop a pyrophoric reaction) into a flake powder it will work significantly faster.

[marble]

Whats wrong with chlorate flash?

[Draco_Americanus]

IMHO flash made with chlorate is too sensitive to impact and friction, why make death mix when you can get allmost the same report with a safer formula?

[BigBang]

Short answer, yes. Should you attempt it with chlorates? No.

Actually, short answer is NO. Granular/atomised aluminium is usless with chlorate/perchlorate. Its not too bad with nitrate though.

Ive tried it with 1micron uncoated atomised aluminium, which is finer than 3500mesh, and it barely ignited. You have to use flake Al with these oxidisers.

If you have 2micron flake, which is perfect for the job, why do you want to use 3500mesh granular?

[MDH]

You could cut about 99% of the worry, relax, and make nitrate based flash with a little boric acid.

If you are wanting to make very small devices such as firecrackers for shell inserts or the novelty, your best bet is 6:2:1, BaNO3/AL/S (although again there's the poison factor, move to KNO3 and up the level of present aluminum by one gram).

Edited by MDH, 10 January 2008 - 06:02 AM.