823 replies to this topic

[OnePoundMarc]

After having a little read I noticed that nobody mentioned the Aluminum partical size or shape.After testing many flash formulations the only one that does all the above and seriously none are safe ive always been paranoid after seeing what it can do but 70/30 for a serious punch works and relively safe to combine as long as your in your cotton skivies standing on wood but the Al partical size and type of Al is Indian dark or German dark flake 2 micron with very fine perc.That formulation will do whatever you need it to from thumping salutes to crosetts,excuse any spelling im old lol.

[drtoivowillmann]

Dear Fiend:

Here 3 basic formulas:

REPORTS: 72 % Potassiom Perchlorate 28 % Black Aluminum (or 2, 5 parts to 1 part).
Not sensible version: a) 70 % Potassium Perclorate + 8 % Black Aluminum 20 % Black Aluminum + 2 % graphite powder
Charge a) and separately into your report, close it, then shake your report: ready !

SHELL BURSTING:
STRONG: 50 % Potassium Perchlorate 25 % Black Aluminum, 25 % Magnalium (or 2:1:1);
MORE "FRIENDLY": 55% Potassium Nitrate, 25 % Bright Aluminum, very, very fine, 20 % sulphur, add 1% of Boric Acid

Satisfied ?

Greetings from Brazil:

Dr. Toivo Willmann

Alright, yes flash powder is and should be a sensitive topic, but I haven't really seen anybody hit the subject that directly on this forum, so I feel that I should start up the questions and answers.
Alright, first off, I know that flash powders are to be used only in small amounts, perhaps larger amounts in mortors, but what are good formulas for specific flashes?
I have found several, but I think I'll ask if I can share them online before I actually do?
until my next response,
-mini


by the way, I was reading a post about BP growing white stuff, and you guys referring to it as 'mould'. Do you guys really spell 'mold' that way? I was confused, and thought it was pronounced "mowld". Hmm. That's all I wanted to say...

[barnsley-mark]

Maybe a strange question - Not a fan of flash but I got a 500g sample of very fine alu. Tried a 70/30 perc/alu and it was very powerful.Now a month or so on the same mix burns slowly and more like a mag flare.The alu is in a small sealed container, the perc has been in its polythene bag, but has absorbed moisture from the air and gone lumpy.I'm wondering if it's an oxide layer forming on the alu (its lab grade and not spherical) or maybe the slightly damp perc - any ideas? Just intriguing me.

[Vic]

Maybe a strange question - Not a fan of flash but I got a 500g sample of very fine alu. Tried a 70/30 perc/alu and it was very powerful.Now a month or so on the same mix burns slowly and more like a mag flare.The alu is in a small sealed container, the perc has been in its polythene bag, but has absorbed moisture from the air and gone lumpy.I'm wondering if it's an oxide layer forming on the alu (its lab grade and not spherical) or maybe the slightly damp perc - any ideas? Just intriguing me.

The perc needs to be dry, try this.

Crush your lumpy perc between newspaper with a rolling pin then then place on baking parchment and dry at a minimum heat in a electric oven for twenty minutes or so.

Then screen through 80 mesh screen using the back of a spoon, then diaper in the usual way. I think then you will find an improvement in burn rate.

[ThisIsTheNews]

Rather than create a new topic for a thread on the subject, I thought I'd revive this one if nobody mines.

I've bought some Potassium Perchlorate and it's very course, and after reading the MSDS (http://www.sciencela...?msdsId=9924687) it doesn't specifically say yay or nay to it's sensitivity to crushing/grinding.

Is it safe to grind this in a pestle/mortar? (Alone, obviously. Not mixed with anything)

[Sparky]

Rather than create a new topic for a thread on the subject, I thought I'd revive this one if nobody mines.

I've bought some Potassium Perchlorate and it's very course, and after reading the MSDS (http://www.sciencela...?msdsId=9924687) it doesn't specifically say yay or nay to it's sensitivity to crushing/grinding.

Is it safe to grind this in a pestle/mortar? (Alone, obviously. Not mixed with anything)

Potassium Perchlorate can be ground in a mortar and pestle or even better buy a cheap coffee grinder, it's a lot quicker. As long as you do this on it's own it's fine.

Are you using this to make flash powder? Not sure why you put this in this thread.

[ThisIsTheNews]

Using it to make flash powder to use towards the end of a BP rocket to make a small report. Hence my posting here.

[Sparky]

Using it to make flash powder to use towards the end of a BP rocket to make a small report. Hence my posting here.

Clearly you are safety conscious and wise enough to visit this forum before making it but can I urge you to try making some other compositions first? If indeed this is your first which your original question suggests. It's just that flash is pretty high risk for the less experienced. And it gives fireworks a bit of a bad rep if tested in a built up area.

[ThisIsTheNews]

Clearly you are safety conscious and wise enough to visit this forum before making it but can I urge you to try making some other compositions first? If indeed this is your first which your original question suggests. It's just that flash is pretty high risk for the less experienced. And it gives fireworks a bit of a bad rep if tested in a built up area.

This isn't my first foray into pyrotechnics (or chemistry) and I've made flash more times than I care to recall. I've usually bought everything already milled and "ready to go" as it were. Just wanted to double check something that wasn't on the MSDS.

I'd rather ask a stupid question and get an answer - than risk an injury. (Remember, there are no stupid questions, only stupid people!)

[TritonPyro]

The ease of making flash and its potency makes me very uneasy. My efforts in making good bp for lift etc, far outweighed the speed of flash comp. After obtaining a good ball mill and making an effort to do the best I could, I was pleasantly surprised to have good lift bp. I think in all of us there is a touch of pride in our ' best ' bp! I will say that the best reading I have done recently was Shimizu's book on pyrotechnics that had a great piece on incompatibility with metals and chemicals. It is so helpful and although There is no ' safe ' flash, the better seems to be Perchlorate and aluminium 70/30 with a buffer. I take safety and always have with great dose of common sense. That said, bp to me is a better, safer way than flash. It has its place in pyrotechnics, but bp has been breaking shells and lifting them for a long time. My own thoughts........

[Sparky]

Hi Triton,

 

There is most definitely a place for flash in pyro but like you I limit its use and only use for salutes. I rarely use them too due to the bad name they can give you.

 

I don't even use whistle mix for boosting but have found that benzolift works brilliantly. I paste very well and use KP so the pressure really builds nicely and this works well for both KP and benzolift. I find the combination is just right for breaking shells nicely but not too hard and lighting stars perfectly.

 

I reserve all my good BP for lift.

[TritonPyro]

Hi Sparky, I have used benzolift when my bp skills were not all they should be. Bit energetic though shaking bits of resin from my mortar tube! I really like bp procedure now due to a great ball mill. Even a ground report of bp fired electrically was really astounding. I made bp today with English hard wood charcoal for a test. I broke it up with a hammer and milled it for an hour. I further milled it again with the usual mix, of 75/15/10 and gave it 6 hours milling time with 5 percent dextrin on the last 90 minutes. Granulated with methylated spirits and it is so fast I am all smiles. So flash is forgotten right now! I have not made whistle mix, but hear its very noisy. Take care.

[Sparky]

Triton, I'm not using benzolift for lift :-)

[TritonPyro]

I know, I meant me. I used it in desperation when my bp was not good for a try and never again. Does it do for a burst charge? You cannot beat flash for an aerial report, but I do not like using it and use bp.