11 replies to this topic

[Sparky]

Hi all

 

I'm doing some experimentation with AP based compositions for lancework and gerbs and in some compositions I've seen steel powder added for spark effects. Steel powder is actually quite hard to find and also quite pricey so I was wondering how different iron powder / filings would be in comparison.

Any idea how different the effect would be? Steel only has some added carbon so I can't see how that would drastically affect the effect.

I'm going to give it a try anyway but thought I'd ask what people thought the difference may be. I won;t get the chance to test it with steel.

[cooperman435]

I can't remember where but I've seen an in depth photo set of differing iron types and their effects, from memory cast with a high graphite content has the nicest branching yellow sparks

Edited by cooperman435, 30 July 2015 - 11:18 AM.

[Arthur Brown]

One of the "workshop not lab" means of telling the carbon content of steel is to hold a sample to a grinding wheel and watch the sparks, High carbon lots of nice sparks - low carbon nothing interesting. 

[dr thrust]

I've tried stainless steel powder before, not great because of the low fe content
Borrow the wife best scissors when she out and cut up some wire wool, it's a source of easy to get hold of steel, plenty of orange sparks to be had there

[pyrotrev]

Ferrotitanium or various kinds works well in AP formulations, and is much better than iron/steel from the corrosion point of view. If you're using either of those they'll need to be coated for the effect to be maintained even after a few weeks storage if conditions are damp.

[Sparky]

I've already considered the need for coating it but to be fair most of my experiments are used at the time of making so I don't bother

Interesting comment about higher carbon sparking more on a grinding wheel but I think that is due to the strength and energy released when ground.

I have some Iron powder so will give it a try and actually compare to ferrotitanium too.

[Mortartube]

]I can't recall where I got this from but it may be helpful. 

 

 

[attachment=745:Pyro Iron Content & Branching chart.doc

 

Attached Files

•  Pyro Iron Content & Branching chart.doc   121KB   573 downloads

Edited by Mortartube, 04 August 2015 - 12:48 PM.

[Sparky]

]I can't recall where I got this from but it may be helpful. 

 

 

[attachment=745:Pyro Iron Content & Branching chart.doc

 

Ha! Where did you dig that up from. Fascinating read but equally so for who thought to document it and why lol.  :P

[Mortartube]

I have absolutely no idea where it came from. It was obviously one of those "I'll save that as it may come in handy one day" moments. 

[cooperman435]

Thats the one!

 

its from one of the "main" books but bugger knows which without thumbing through 25 odd Ive got now!

[Peret]

5 parts AP

1 part hexamine

5 parts iron or steel filings

 

Fill a 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch gerb case with funnel and wire.

 

Have you tried your local brake service shop? The steel waste from turning drums and rotors makes a good spark, and usually they just give it to you if you ask. Tell them it's for your roses, not for fireworks.

[Sparky]

5 parts AP

1 part hexamine

5 parts iron or steel filings

 

Fill a 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch gerb case with funnel and wire.

 

Have you tried your local brake service shop? The steel waste from turning drums and rotors makes a good spark, and usually they just give it to you if you ask. Tell them it's for your roses, not for fireworks.

Roses lol?