Reliable falls composition?

[Sulphurstan]

Does anybody has a reliable falls (rain) composition to share?

I ve just tried out one found in FPP (Lancaster):

-kno3 41

-Al 49

-S 4

-SGRS 6

 

The author says that Al flitter can be used, in order to get falls that can reach 3 meters !

 

For me it was a desaster, couldn't even get it ignited!!!!

My flitter is Al flakes, 0.3-1mm.

 

I want to make some nice silver rains for new years eve.

 

I couldn't find such a comp on the forum.

 

Thanx in advance

[Mumbles]

How were you trying to light it? The most common way is to mix some of the waterfall composition with some BP (maybe 50:50), and then use a little BP on the end to light it. Also, you are sure the waterfall tubes were dry, right?

 

Your aluminum is probably also too coarse to be used for 100% of the composition. A blend of fine to coarse flake aluminums is most often used. You might want to check out the waterfall section of Lancaster to see some other typical formulas. The specific one you mention is sort of buried in among the portion written by Shimizu, and is kind of mentioned off handedly.

[Bangkokpyro]

Try Winocur's Silver C comp for waterfalls. Lights easily and makes a very pretty waterfall.

[Sulphurstan]

Thank you both for your replies.

 

Paul, I couldn't find winokurs silver c on my sources.... Would you be so kind to share the receipt?

 

Mumbles, I try to light it with a propane torch... I'll try to put 50 pc of coarse flitter and 50 pc of fine flakes... What makes me wonder is the ratio ko3 to Al:Very low kno3 and high Al.. Will that work even with a more reactive Al amount in the mix?

[Arthur]

The aim of a low oxidiser mix is to use the matrix (fines) to light the coarse materials and let them fall away from the body of the firework alight in air. If the coarse flakes are too coarse to light well than perhaps some (2 - 5%) of dark Al would help the matrix burn hotter and faster to release the falling coarse metals more thoroughly lit.

 

With old formulae there is some issue with the lack of detail. Your formula does not state the size range of the aluminium or the particle shape, just a small percentage of fines would make a lot of difference.

[OldMarine]

Scroll down to the "other" category on Danny Cregan's site:

http://www.creagan.net/fireworks/compositions.html#whitestar

[Sulphurstan]

Ok, thank you, found the stuff.

[Arthur]

For each "just an ingredients list" formula you find, remember that the method is key to it's function. Sadly the same ingredients initially used may no longer be available, and ingredients with the same particle shape and size distribution may no longer be made. So sometimes you may have to experiment and alter the formula slightly to achieve a likeable effect with reliable ignition.

[Bangkokpyro]

Silver C. It's a glitter. (Add some sodium Oxalate to get a nice gold effect)

 

52 % K Nitrate - 14% Antimony Trisulphide - 10% Barium Carbonate - 10% Airfloat - 7% Sulphur - 7% 325 mesh Atomised Aluminium

 

I press mine into 3/4 inch ID spiral wound tubes 1/8 wall thickness 10 inches long. Top the tube of with an increment of meal to ignite it.

 

 

Here's a poor quality video waterfall at 3.32

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hD4N5_obCM

[Sulphurstan]

Paul, oh yeah that looks promising. Definitely the next formyla I'll try. Thank you.

[Mumbles]

It's a great formula. For falls, I like the aluminum to be a little coarser or at least a mix. It also makes a great unchoked gerb. One of my favorite glitter gerbs actually.

[WonderBoy]

Sulphurstan, you might also look into some KP waterfall compositions. I'm not sure what the composition was that you used in your "crumbly star" thread, but those are about the right chemicals for a nice KP waterfall. But do keep in mind that, like Arthur said, the method for making the falls is important. Especially when using KP or chlorate, because you basically have a flash mix before it is wet and filled in the casing.

 

 

 

WB

[Sulphurstan]

Arthur, yes the kp based compositions are usually very nice and 100% white silver without golden particles but I have the hell problems to have kp available (I make my stock last as long as possible). That's why I'm trying to cope with kn based compositions...

[OldMarine]

Lloyd's Fairy Fountain composition makes a great waterfall and contains only KNO3 as an oxidizer. Here's a link to a thread on them:

https://www.amateurpyro.com/forums/topic/11405-fairy-fountain/?hl=%2Bfairy+%2Bfountain

[Pyroboy]

Hey Sulphurstan, try to use 10-15% dark Al and the rest corse flitter. I got the Comp work with that and it gave a nice waterfall! For me it seems that with KNO3 you need some really fine particles to get it work properly.