11 replies to this topic

[dfk]

Hey all

After trying like 3 bathes of "glitter" and failing all I figured, maybe its not me but my ingedients. Thats were all you come into play. Is anyone familiar with the science of glitter? my Al is atomized, and my antimony trisulfide is dark pyro, everything else is standard(AFcarcoal, sulfer flour, lampblack,kno3)
The stars burn fine, just without the actulal "glitter" part. the stars end up looking like a white star with a little bit of a spark trail. I have no idea whats wrong but i would like succes. Any one have any suggestions I would appriciate it.
thanks


Marcus

[Richard H]

Try one of the glitter formula's posted on the forum. Usually the mesh size of the atomised aluminium will be important, as a really fine mesh will probably result in no glitter effect at all.

[dfk]

Reading around I see that dark pyro antimony sulphide isnt the best for glitter.
I also was realizing that there is no stabalizer or protectant for the aluminum in my recipe could that cause a problem problem? or might just changing my antimony fix the problem. If any one could offer any solutions it'd be appreciated.

Marcus

[BigG]

Reading around I see that dark pyro antimony sulphide isnt the best for glitter.
I also was realizing that there is no stabalizer or protectant for the aluminum in my recipe could that cause a problem problem? or might just changing my antimony fix the problem. If any one could offer any solutions it'd be appreciated.

Marcus

You really need to tell us what is the formula you are using, the binder and so on. You are right - the dark pyro type is not used for glitters.

The orange type that someone mentioned is not used in pyro at all. You need the chinese needle type.

[dfk]

from Wouters practical pyro page.
source:rec.pyrotechnics archive, post tommy hakomaki
kno3 55
Al(200-400m) 5
dextrin 4
antimony(III)sulfide 16
sulfer 10
lampblack 10

[bernie]

Whats your mixing method? It also appears that the amount of aluminum is on the low side. Try lowering your antimony % and increasing the al content. Boric acid is widely used to buffer the reaction with aluminum in this type of comp. Are they stinky stars?

Lampblack is a very pretty effect but I'm not familiar with it's use in glitter comps. All that really means is that I've never used it myself. As an experiment try replacing the lampblack with some airfloat.

I would be interested to hear what others might think about the lampblack replacing the charcoal in the BP base comp of a glitter formula.

Your first step is to get the right form of antimony like Big pointed out.

Edited by bernie, 07 January 2004 - 12:50 AM.

[dfk]

being that they are both carbon based feuls I don't see a reason why they shouldnt be exchangable, but through expirience when trying to replace charcoal for lampblack in a firefly comp, I got almost no effect, almost didnt even burn. for an unknown reason to me, the origions of these two feuls do give em some different qualities.
as for the glitter formula its worth a try till I get my chinese needle. heck i have a whole pound of probably otherwise usless dark antimony. pluss I realy want to see some glitter.

when I mix my "glitter" comp I add little water because its prone to decomposition.
then I roll it out, cut and roll in some bp to prime. pretty standard

Marcus

[BigG]

from Wouters practical pyro page.
source:rec.pyrotechnics archive, post tommy hakomaki
kno3                            55
Al(200-400m)              5
dextrin                        4
antimony(III)sulfide    16
sulfer                            10
lampblack                  10

Is your AL atomized? Flake will not work.

Charcoal and lampblack has different burning characteristics. They are not always interchangeable.

[Pazza]

you can exchange charcoal with lampblack in firefly comps, but you will not get a good tail because charcoal burns a lot faster, so you wont get the effect of the fire lingering in the sky

ps: if you dont want that dark pyro antimony sulphide i'll have it! it makes some really neat white stars

[bernie]

Marcus, there is also a lack of a delay agent in the formula you posted.

[dfk]

what is a delay agent and what would might be a suitable one for my listed comp?

[bernie]

If your really interested in a glitter effect find yourself a copy of Pyrotechnica #2 by Robert Winokur. Shimizu did a few studies on the subject in some later issues of Pyrotechnica but these tend to be on the pricey side. P2 was not the pretty publication that they are today and you should be able to get a copy at a very reasonable price.