Hypervale Posted November 6, 2017 Posted November 6, 2017 Hello, I have quite a bit of experience with chemistry and have recently been getting into pyrotechnics as I have always loved fire and making fireworks is a fun way to pass the time. I have made tiger tail stars but no others so far. Does anyone have a simple colored star recipe. I would prefer if the recipe only used: potassium nitrate, potassium chlorate, aluminum powder, sulfur, dextrin, boric acid, and any chemicals found around the house (the lab I work at wouldnt allow any chemicals to be brought home). Any star recipe would be appreciated for future use. Thanks.
greenlight Posted November 6, 2017 Posted November 6, 2017 To get coloured compositions you need a oxidizer/chlorine donor and a colour emitting metal salt. You have the Potassium chlorate as the oxidizer and chlorine donor which is a slight bit sensitive compared to others like the perchlorate salt but there are still a lot of formulas using it. For colours you will need strontium nitrate/carbonate for red, barium nitrate/carbonate for green, copper carbonate/oxide for blue, etc...Magnalium would also be worth getting for fuel instead of Al as well. Theres many formulas out there, you just require some colour-producing chemicals first.
AustralianPyromaniac Posted November 6, 2017 Posted November 6, 2017 Below is a document I put together of comps that use only chemicals I bought over the counter or those which I synthesized myself using my Masters in high school chemistry. All the compositions are verified to work except the blue which I am currently in the process of testing with Cu Oxy from OTC fungicide. Should distribute my Findings within the next week or two. This list has more than enough colors to keep me entertained, and I just love the thought I can do this hobby without needing a pyro supplier which are unpredictable in Australia due to the police. You're a chemist; you should be able to figure out where all the chems came from, if not I can clarify. Contains... Blue, green, red, yellow, purple, white and orange as well as some other charcoal compositions Over the Counter (OTC) Pyrotechnic Compositions.docx P.S. What country are you in, so that we can get an idea of the chemicals you can access? Regards, AP 1
Arthur Posted November 6, 2017 Posted November 6, 2017 The colour producers tend to be flame transient species of Strontium, Barium, Copper, Calcium. For yellows, sodium salts are used. Typically 10% of the compound is a colourant. The hobby pottery supply industry will often have some of the chems needed.
Hypervale Posted November 6, 2017 Author Posted November 6, 2017 (edited) P.S. What country are you in, so that we can get an idea of the chemicals you can access? Regards, AP USA Edited November 6, 2017 by Hypervale 1
Mortartube Posted November 6, 2017 Posted November 6, 2017 (edited) Strontium Carbonate, Barium Carbonate and Cryolite should be available from pottery suppliers. Barium Carbonate is less useful but can make a green. Edited November 6, 2017 by Mortartube
jerronimo Posted December 1, 2017 Posted December 1, 2017 Barium carbonate can be used as a glitter delay agent, and it's cheap!
Wiley Posted December 1, 2017 Posted December 1, 2017 (edited) But sodium bicarbonate is so much cheaper! I don't even bother with Arm and Hammer anymore. Store brand works just as well. N1 makes great cut stars or comets. Barium and strontium carbonate will give you an excellent green and red, respectively. Simply mix the two to get any shade of yellow or orange. I use the Buell Red formula to do this. Just sub out the Sr carbonate for barium, or a mix of the two. Edited December 1, 2017 by Wiley
AustralianPyromaniac Posted December 4, 2017 Posted December 4, 2017 I would love to see a video of a barium carbonate green Wiley, I did not manage to get a green from it without an additional chlorine donor. Regards, AP
Mumbles Posted December 5, 2017 Posted December 5, 2017 Most barium carbonate stars leave something to be desired. I've been touting the Buell formula with barium carbonate in it for years. It's one of the few I really like. Hypervale, you're going to end up having to order some things. As has already been mentioned, you'll need color producing salts and some chlorine donors. You'll also probably need some fuels especially if you end up sticking with potassium chlorate. Something like lactose, red gum, shellac, phenolic resin, etc. You may want to find a star system and stock up to produce that. Something like the Veline system is a good place to start.
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