27 replies to this topic

[flynn]

Hello pyro people

I've been thinking about the possibilities of making a large 3D (like maybe a metre square sort of size) sparkler out of wire, bent to form a shape, for a once-only art project (that hopefully i could film, sparkling its way around the shape). I've been searching around the internet but I figured it best to ask proper experts.

I have aluminium powder, but I haven't tried lighting it without proper adult supervision (it's okay, I'm 45 and quite sensible) and I also have graphite powder if that's useful.

I've seen references to potassium chlorate and dextrin solution. How could I get hold of those?

Most importantly, is this a really dangerous thing to do or should it be quite straightforward?

Look forward to hearing back from you...

Fiona

[pyromaniac303]

Hi,

Its not so much a dangerous thing to do, but more awkward. Sparklers are normally produced by dipping wires repeatedly into a slurry of composition, once the composition has dried and hardened, bending the wire results in cracks and flaking.

Stay well clear of potassium chlorate for now, it can create some fairly sensitive mixtures if used incorrectly. Traditionally sparklers are made from barium nitrate and steel powder, plus a binder such as dextrin or gum arabic to help it stick. Barium nitrate is quite toxic, so you may want to use something like potassium perchlorate, which is both easier to get hold of, and safer.

What would the shape be, and how were you thinking of applying the sparkler composition to the shape? There may be other simpler ways of producing what you are after.

Paul

Edited by pyromaniac303, 25 August 2009 - 07:48 PM.

[flynn]

thanks Paul. I did see that warning about potassium chlorate elsewhere in the forum when i searched around. I was thinking of applying a mixture to an already formed wire - i'm open to the shape a circle or a random shape that bent in different directions - it could even be just a very long horizontal line or a spiral - possibly in metres or feet anyway - the idea being primarily about watching the line form as the sparkling travels...

so I'd have to make a vat? or could it be applied by hand if it was quite a stiff mixture?

As you can see, I have absolutely no experience. Does aluminium powder not work then? It's just that I have a tin of it (got it from a theatrical chandlers shop).

ps I'm based in South East London if there are any local chapters of the pyro society here...

[pyromaniac303]

So you would take a long exposure photograph and watch the shape form on that?

It may be possible to make a really long sparkler composition tube to dip a long piece of wire in, then when still soft bend the wire to shape, though it will be difficult to prevent gaps in the comp and flaking. It may also be possible to apply it by hand, but the result would look very messy and uneven, burning bright and fast in some places then fading to much darker slower burning unless the whole wire is evenly coated. To do this would require something containing a lot of binder to help it clump together and stick well.

Does something need to remain after the burning is finished? It may be possible to make a small wire template, then a thin flexible paper tube which burns away with the composition, and can be bent to the shape you like. This would stop any problems with cracking as the comp would be contained inside the paper and couldnt fall off, though cracks wil increase the burn speed of it, so you want a fairly slow mixture.

Aluminium can be used, but what particle size do you have? This is very important, as a very fine aluminium powder (say under 20 micron) would burn too fast, but something big like 60 mesh would barely light.

Hope this helps,
Paul

[flynn]

Thanks again, Paul - really helpful. It's very fine, yes. no idea what microns it is, but it sits on top of water for ever. I really like the idea of there being nothing left after it had burned - like a long stream of cigarette papers? but then it'd have to be quite small, I guess. But it might still make a nice film. or long exposure photo. or both...

have you done this?

Fiona

[crystal palace fireworks]

Paul,.............normally, how thick is the slurry/viscosity of a sparkler comp? is it like plaster or thick glue consistancy?

Im thinking, would it be possible to thread the wire through a straw (using those straws with bends), and then shape the wire accordingly before pouring/funneling or injecting (syringe) at different sections along the wire?, the gaps/edges could be taped-up, and then left to dry until the straw is ready to be cut away (hopefully using a brass blade of some sort).

Edited by crystal palace fireworks, 26 August 2009 - 07:13 AM.

[flynn]

I like the sound of that. By the way, CP fireworks, I took a look at your profile and saw your interest in S London firework history. My local pub's called the Pyro - the Pyrotechnists Arms. Brocks had a factory round the corner in the 19th Century.

Fiona

[crystal palace fireworks]

I like the sound of that. By the way, CP fireworks, I took a look at your profile and saw your interest in S London firework history. My local pub's called the Pyro - the Pyrotechnists Arms. Brocks had a factory round the corner in the 19th Century.

Fiona

Hi Fiona,

Thanks for that,..........I didn`t know that pub existed..........yes its in Nunhead Green I believe?........funnily enough I used to work at a printers many years ago in Gordon Road, Nunhead.

I contact your local family history society last year,....about some photo`s or documentary history of the firework site,....but no luck!

Are there any photo`s of the site in the pub itself?

[flynn]

To be honest I've not scoured the walls for them but there might be. there are some pretty solid local history buffs round here who are quite easy to get hold of. I think. The site was on Brayards Road which is right by where I live. it wouldn't be that hard I reckon - OS maps and the local history archives and the chaps who write all the local books. Just a bit of research.

Let me know if you need help on that - if I'm looking for help on making my uber-sparkler, it seems a fair exchange...

F

[Creepin_pyro]

Howsabout using a length of falling leaf fuse - I only suggest this because it can be easily sourced and doesn't mind being bent/manhandled...

[flynn]

would that be as lively as a pyro composition?

[portfire]

Effect Fuses can be very lively, take Flying Fish fuse for instance. This could be the best way to go. Make the shape you want then secure the fuse using metal ties. Flying Fish fuse comes in different effects, coloured and my favorite silver.

[flynn]

Thanks, portfire. any recommendations for where to buy? It sounds like it'd be good to experiment at least with these different types of fuses. can you buy in small amounts? done a quick search and all seem to be in US dollars...

F

[portfire]

You have mail

[Mortartube]

Just a word of warning Flynn. You say your Al powder floats on water. Very fine Al can under the right circumtances spontaneously ignite in the presence of water, especiall if it is alloyed with magnesium. It is unlikely to do so ona mass of water, but when you pur it away, any residue could do this as it begins to dry out an oxidise.

On your topic, sparkler dipping is an art and the temperature of the slurry matters. I have never done it but I know a man who has, and to do it well is not as easy as would first appear.