9 replies to this topic

[44RedHawk]

Here is a tried and true most beautiful electric blue star formula I developed in 1995 while working at Rockingham Fireworks Manufacturing & Display Co, INC at Seabrook, NH, U.S.A.

Percentage by weight


KCL04 -------------------------------------------.50
Aluminum, Granular 50-150 mesh -------- 12
Parlon --------------------------------------------10
Copper Oxide, Black --------------------------10
Red Gum ---------------------------------------- 8
Copper Oxychloride --------------------------- 5
Aluminum, Dark Pyro ------------------------- 5
Dextrin ------------------------------------------- +5

NOTES: This is a water/Dextrin bound mix for 9.5mm - 12.5mm cut stars utilizing a standard prime. Key ingredient here is the "granular aluminum" of 50-150 mesh which resembles sponge titanium. Produces a medium burn rich blue with gold electric tail.
-Enjoy

Edited by 44RedHawk, 20 August 2011 - 05:10 PM.

[JOPETES]

Hello. looks good formula for the components and proportion.

It has good color blue?

For the bright tail, used to aluminum or titanium? I say this because being a low color temperature titanium works better than aluminum.

[pyrotrev]

Hello. looks good formula for the components and proportion.

It has good color blue?

For the bright tail, used to aluminum or titanium? I say this because being a low color temperature titanium works better than aluminum.

You're right Jo. However the more golden tail you get with underoxidised aluminium may look good.

[Pyro Harold]

If I was to omit the dark pyro aluminium, how much would this affect the performance of the star? There really isn't a substitute for dark pyro aluminium is there?

[Pyro Harold]

If I was to omit the dark pyro aluminium, how much would this affect the performance of the star? There really isn't a substitute for dark pyro aluminium is there?

Can anyone suggest something here? What kind of mesh is dark aluminium pyro? If I was to substitute with the same mesh normal aluminium powder, how much would this diminish the effect?

[Creepin_pyro]

Can anyone suggest something here? What kind of mesh is dark aluminium pyro? If I was to substitute with the same mesh normal aluminium powder, how much would this diminish the effect?

As noted, the key ingredient for the tail is the granular Al. Leaving out the dark Al will probably not change the effect massively (and might even improve colour depth) and replacing with a fine flake Al would probably produce similar results to the dark Al.

[Mumbles]

If you have any, I'd possibly look into replacing the dark pyro Al with -200 or -325 mesh MgAl. It's difficult to say which product is really in there, but for most stars I've seen that call for dark Al, they mean American dark Al (#809). This is approximately a -325 mesh flake Al. It's not unlike bright flake Al, but it goes through a different production process. Even using bright Al may make due. This is not to be confused with black or blackhead aluminums, which are much finer and go through a slightly different process still. Those are typically only used for one main effect, and a few other minor things.

Besides brightening the color and increasing the burn rate, the finer metallic portion may also serve the purpose to heat the formula up enough to light the coarse Al. Some organic formulas need a little coaxing to light certain things. You won't know until you try that experiment though.

[Pyro Harold]

Thanks for the answers!

[Bonny]

Is there any close substitution for the granular Al? All I ever have around, or see for sale is either atomized or flake...

[starseeker]

Is there any close substitution for the granular Al? All I ever have around, or see for sale is either atomized or flake...

I was wondering whether homemade Mgal could be used as this would be granular and may give a nice effect.