athelas3

I have withdrawn this post - its contents are no longer applicable.

You're quoting a post from 2004, talking to someone who hasn't been online for 2 years...

Sounds to me like your kno3 might be slightly wet, which isn't good when using it in a moisture sensetive flash comp

OK thanks - that is a good point as I know KNO3 is deliquescent, and my supplier may not have stored it in ideal conditions. As an alternative, I have tried mixing the other standard comp of Potassium Perchlorate and Al (70/30). This was much better behaved in preparation, but I suspect it might be a more sensitive mix than my KNO3 / Mg. As I have a reasonable supply of Mg and don't wish to waste it - would you suggest another comparable recipe I can use it in, that doesn't use KNO3 - and that is relatively safe as flash comps go? Thanks

I have had great success with KNO3/Mg flash, but nothing else. Its incredibly easy to make, just weigh them out in a 50/50 ratio, dry mix them until properly mixed and its ready to go!

In true 'Chaz' style heres a small pile of my KNO3/Mg flash: HERE.


...Great stuff.

Hi chaz
I have just started cautious experiments with KNO3 / Mg flash mix. I am using small quantities - but have struck my first hurdle. I have fairly fine ground KNO3, but when I add it carefully with the MG powder and mix by folding in the corners of the paper sheet its on - I find my KNO3 cakes very quickly, despite all lumps being removed previously after grinding it in a pestle and mortar. I end up with an uneven mix - and being very conscious of the sensitivity warnings about flash comps - I don't want to gring or sieve it mechanically to remove the lumps. So - I'm wondering - how do you prepare yours to avoid this issue??

Cheers