20 replies to this topic

[Dan]

I bought some aluminum powder from a marine supply store and was wondering what kind of aluminum powder probably is. It is made by West System and here is a link for the msds. msds (pdf)
I was also wondering if it would work for glitter stars. When i tried to make glitter stars with it it would just fall out of the sky with an flaming blob and not much glitter.


Thank you for your help.

Edited by Dan, 29 June 2004 - 07:28 PM.

[Richard H]

What star formula did you use? What mesh is the aluminium powder?

I should imagine the powder is atomised rather than flake, and it's mesh range is 150-300. It should be acceptable for use in glitter formulas.

[BigG]

Unfortunately, you will have to discover the mesh, and the shape. For glitter you use most of the time atomised (spherical) aluminium. Flake shape might not produce good glitter.

[Dan]

I am not sure of the exact shape but i was searching the net and i came across a similar product used for the same purpose and it said that theirs was 30 micron atomized aluminum powder.
What mesh size is 30 micron?

For the glitter stars i was using the G1 Glitter formula
thx

[dfk]

Closest measure I have to it is 37 micron which is around 400m.
The higher the mesh or smaller the micron the smaller the particle.

[BigG]

I am not sure of the exact shape but i was searching the net and i came across a similar product used for the same purpose and it said that theirs was 30 micron atomized aluminum powder.
What mesh size is 30 micron?

For the glitter stars i was using the G1 Glitter formula
thx

In the UK? Not likely. Health and safety does not allow to sell anything under 250# to the general public at powder form? You will really have to get exact characteristics, otherwise it?s a guessing game.

[Dan]

In the UK?

No BigG i live in the US

Thanks for help
I will see if it works for which i hope it does other wise i wasted my money

[BigG]

Well, you can always use it for fountains, drivers and other spark compositions. If in the UK, you are better off buying from a place where they clearly mark the aluminium shape and size, like many of the on-line shops do.

[Dan]

Thank You BigG, I think i will next time,
I guess that i will just use the powder to try to make sparks in rockets.

BTW is it ok for me to drill into a rocket that contains aluminum powder at low speeds with a drill press, i know that is isnt safe for titanium an iron, but isnt aluminum non sparking?

[The_Djinn]

Dan,
Recently I read an article about this exact question. The article recomended the use of the drill press but not running under power. They recomended turning the pully's on the motor to drill the device carefully.
I think the idea was that from a safety aspect the device was clamped and by turning the pully's your body could be away from the device with the drill press motor and pillar would protect most of your body in the event of an incident.

Mark

[Dan]

Thx The_Djinn
Do you by chance have a link to this article?

Dan

[Sparkler]

By any chance would it be this powder? http://www.westmarin...productId=28513 I bought some and its atomized and its around 200-350 mesh. It works great for my glitter formulas.

[Dan]

That is the exact powder i bought and that is the store i bought it from

thx for the help sparkler, i appreciate it.

[Dan]

I was thinking today and when i prepare my aluminum powder i put it in a coffee filter and wash it with acetone. could this make the powder oxidize and therefore be no good?

[Stuart]

No