2 replies to this topic

[44RedHawk]

First, a brief introduction: I am a new member from across the pond in New Hampshire, U.S.A., near Manchester, with a deep passion for all things pyrotechnic especially and most fondly for traditional Euro/American display fireworks shells and rockets. My fireworks interests were sparked about 1968 when I acquired a pack of 1-1/2 X 16's Black-Jack Pirate brand firecrackers and a package of small bottle rockets. Many years later I worked for various local commercial fireworks companies as a display operator from about the late 1970's until my last officially licensed show in 1997. I Started manufacturing as a hobbyist by the early 1980's then commercially by the late 1980's working for a local fireworks display & manufacturing company and eventually under my own licensed facility. I am no longer affiliated with any commercial operations as over-regulation and Asian imports have forced the closure of all fireworks manufacturing in this part of the country. I am, however, still an active hobbyist with a newfound added passion to "give back" and share my knowledge, experiences, trials and tribulations with those who may not ever have the opportunities I've enjoyed in a commercial manufacturing environment. The rest is history for another discussion.

Now on topic - Barium Chlorate Green Stars.

Barium Chlorate has often been unfairly demonized by various Internet tongue cluckers and self proclaimed safety experts who provide little or no evidence to substantiate their fantastic claims. Conversely, there are those with similar lack of knowledge and experience whose cavalier attitude toward high energy materials and compositions give credence to the aforementioned safety faker's claim when such indifference lends itself to a sudden workshop launch into orbit or worse, their own or a neighbor's serious injury or untimely demise. This is not to say that one must take extra precautions with Chlorate compositions as common sense would dictate, but going to either extreme severely limits ones willingness to enjoy various & sundry established pyrotechnic compositions, chief among these are the Chlorate based colors.

That said, extra caution must be taken when mixing Chlorate based pyro compositions.
1. Avoid contact between Chlorate compositions and Sulphur and Sulphur compounds especially highly acidic "Sulphur Flowers," i.e. sublimated sulphur.
2. Avoid using fine metal powders in any Chlorate based color compositions especially with Barium Chlorate. Such compositions have a history of spontaneous combustion and IMHO, are simply not worth the risk when much safer Perchlorate / Barium Nitrate / Parlon / mag or aluminum color compositions exist.
3. Avoid priming Chlorate stars directly with standard black powder meal although such was the practice in at least three commercial fireworks manufacturing plants with which I'm familiar having produced an aggregate in the thousands of kilos annually for decades without incident. It is always best practice to use a non-Sulpur prime for added safety when dealing with Chlorate color stars.

Other than that, Chlorate stars were produced commercially in very large quantities with relative safety for a century or more here in the U.S. and but for over-regulation by zealous government bureaucrats and some reckless mishandling that lead to horrific explosions, Chlorate colors are a viable and economical option for the safety conscious fireworks hobbyist.

A tried and true Barium Chlorate Green Star formula and hot (non-sulphur) prime:
NOTE: This is a water soluble composition utilizing dextrin as a binder.

Chemical % by weight
_____________________________________________
BARIUM CHLORATE -------------------------------- 50
POTASSIUM CHLORATE -------------------------- 28
SHELLAC (orange powder) ------------------------ 12
AIR FLOAT CHARCOAL ---------------------------- 4
DEXTRIN ------------------------------------------------ 4
PVC ------------------------------------------------------- 2

Hardt # 4 Prime for Chlorate stars:
_____________________________________________
POTASSIUM NITRATE ------------------------------ 35
POTASSIUM PERCHLORATE -------------------- 35
AIR FLOAT CHARCOAL ----------------------------- 25
DEXTRIN ------------------------------------------------ 5

Enjoy

[Peret]

Nice. I prefer barium chlorate greens to any other. It has to be said, though, that barium chlorate is more sensitive than potassium chlorate and needs extra careful handling. I wouldn't trust it around any home-made powder containing sulfur, though commercial BP is probably ok.

"safety fakers", lol. Now where have I heard that term before?

[44RedHawk]

Nice. I prefer barium chlorate greens to any other. It has to be said, though, that barium chlorate is more sensitive than potassium chlorate and needs extra careful handling. I wouldn't trust it around any home-made powder containing sulfur, though commercial BP is probably ok.

"safety fakers", lol. Now where have I heard that term before?

I concur, EXTRA CAUTION must be observed with Barium Chlorate compositions, which reminds me of an omission made in my previous dissertation that being respirators & kitchen gloves. I strongly urge the use of a suitable dust mask or respirator and kitchen dish washing gloves when handling Barium Chlorate for its extreme gastrointestinal toxicity. I can personally attest to that having been hospitalized once from Barium Nitrate poisoning after mixing ~400 lbs of white glitter formula making 2-1/2" stickless rockets (3 inch comets), it's not very pleasant. Note that Barium Chlorate is thee most toxic of the Barium compounds and must be taken seriously. The good news is the deep unrivaled green, IMHO, color purity achieved with it.


Yes, "safety fakers" chuckle :^) Case Former come to mind?