Deep blue star questions

[PIL]

I really like the dim,saturated blue color produced by Chinese blue/violet microstars .This kind of blue can also be seen in Japanese firework displays. However I'm afraid that the microstar will be too dim to see in 3 inch shells.I've tested some KP sulfur comp but they seem to be washed out in ground test and stargun test.Pihko blue, conkling blue,shimizu B70,pyroscience blue may emit more white light because resins are hotter fuels than sulfur.

I was told that 300 feet away organic blue color would be 'dim' and 'deep blue'.But are the stars that look pale 30 feet away comparable to those superior blue/violet microstars? Do you have some good formulas for shells that have the same saturation and depth ? HCB-containing formula is viable for me but chlorate and paris green are not .

THANKS!

Edited August 5, 2015 by PIL

[TYRONEEZEKIEL]

Distance makes a very substantial difference in blues. They will always appear white up close, however in the air you will see the true color. If you are wanting to dim the flame, experiment with subbing the red gum with sulfur and lactose. Chlorate burns cooler too I believe

[TYRONEEZEKIEL]

My favorite formula is pihko #2

 

Very solid blue. Take that as a starting point

[ddewees]

Majdali purple is nice...

 

[PIL]

Madjali purple has 3% magnalium. I doubt that the star is dim and saturated as Chinese blue microstars.

Does wilbur's award winning blue worth a shot? I would use HCB instead of dechlorane.

potassium perchlorate 65

copper oxide 14

red gum 7

parlon 5

dextrin 5

dechlorane(HCB) 4

[Mumbles]

If you want to try out the real deal (maybe), here's a formula I obtained from Myke Stanbridge.

Chinese deep violet-blue microstars
Source: Myke Stanbridge / Rec.pyro

Potassium perchlorate to pass #240 39.0
Black copper oxide to pass #240 37.0
precipitated sulphur to pass #240 15.0
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) to pass #60 6.5
Acacia gum, a top quality fine dust 2.5

 

It should be noted that this composition burns slowly, relatively dim, and leaves a pretty substantial amount of slag. This is actually to the benefit of the effect. Since all the non-gaseous compustion products end up in the slag, it leaves a very pure blue/violet CuCl colored flame. A friend of mine told me he was trying to replicate the effect without HCB. He got close, but never totally there. Even still he reported the stars to be dim and have a small flame even when somewhat close up in mines just like the originals.

 

I'm interested in seeing this formula in action, but I don't know if it's the solution for shells. As others have mentioned, even the ones that appear somewhat white or washed out up close look great at a few hundred feet up in the air. Comparing Hard blue #6 and the above formula, they look fairly similar actually. Dechlorane is reportedly the best substitute for HCB. The most notable difference is the Perchlorate to copper salt ratio. Perhaps you could adjust it to an intermediate level and get a comfortable compromise between the color purity you want, but still achieve the brightness needed to observe it from a distance.

Hardt Blue Star #6Potassium perchlorate 	62Copper oxychloride 	12Sulphur 	18Dechlorane 	4Dextrin 	4

I like Wilbur blue. The color is good in shells and mines. Somewhat similar to the others you've mentioned. It's going to probably disappoint you up close though, just as the others have. There is the same whiteness when viewed up close.

[PIL]

If you want to try out the real deal (maybe), here's a formula I obtained from Myke Stanbridge.

Chinese deep violet-blue microstars

Source: Myke Stanbridge / Rec.pyro

 

Potassium perchlorate to pass #240 39.0

Black copper oxide to pass #240 37.0

precipitated sulphur to pass #240 15.0

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) to pass #60 6.5

Acacia gum, a top quality fine dust 2.5

 

It should be noted that this composition burns slowly, relatively dim, and leaves a pretty substantial amount of slag. This is actually to the benefit of the effect. Since all the non-gaseous compustion products end up in the slag, it leaves a very pure blue/violet CuCl colored flame. A friend of mine told me he was trying to replicate the effect without HCB. He got close, but never totally there. Even still he reported the stars to be dim and have a small flame even when somewhat close up in mines just like the originals.

 

I'm interested in seeing this formula in action, but I don't know if it's the solution for shells. As others have mentioned, even the ones that appear somewhat white or washed out up close look great at a few hundred feet up in the air. Comparing Hard blue #6 and the above formula, they look fairly similar actually. Dechlorane is reportedly the best substitute for HCB. The most notable difference is the Perchlorate to copper salt ratio. Perhaps you could adjust it to an intermediate level and get a comfortable compromise between the color purity you want, but still achieve the brightness needed to observe it from a distance.

Hardt Blue Star #6
Potassium perchlorate 	62
Copper oxychloride 	12
Sulphur 	18
Dechlorane 	4
Dextrin 	4

I like Wilbur blue. The color is good in shells and mines. Somewhat similar to the others you've mentioned. It's going to probably disappoint you up close though, just as the others have. There is the same whiteness when viewed up close.

Thanks for your reply

I've tested the violet-blue microstar with HCB.Since acacia gum is a carbohydrate,I use dextrin instead.Star color is dim purple.They look excellent when they're embedded into a titanium BP comp.However copper oxide is quite expensive.

I would like to know:

Which comp looks dimmer when it's used inside a shell,wilbur blue or Hardt 6?Then I can make some changes to the better formula.

Firing large shells is permitted only at Spring Festival,so can l test stars by launching them in a rocket? The stars will travel much slower than normal .

Edited August 7, 2015 by PIL