Strobe pots

[fredjr]

Blesser #27

Ammonium Perchlorate 48

Magnesium, atomized, 100-325 28

Strontium Sulfate 19

Potassium Dichromate 5

 

all components ball milled to fine powders except Mg (I used 100-200 flake). mixed well - filled a 3/4 x 3 1/2 tube to top with loose mix - rammer & rubber mallet 6 smacks after tapping tight to start, stuck in a piece of visco and ........

 

http://www.apcforum.net/files/strobepot2.jpg

 

http://www.apcforum.net/files/strobepot.mov

 

[al93535]

Not too bad at all, good oscillation. I have been working on the same thing. Looks similar to shimizu's comp, as he doesn't use any chlorine donors. I guess blesser just wanted it to work as well. Very useable but a chlorine donor just adds soo much more to the colors. I tried saran, but it just promoted continuous burning, so I will retry when I get PVC and parlon.

 

I advise you to not ram that comp however. Please be safe and press it.

 

Also, I fixed the topic spelling error.

[AreteVeteran]

I have never made a strobe pot before but yours looked lovely. I infer that it is a mix, that burns on and off, so it produces lots of flashes with the same timing?

 

Could someone explain in more detail about strobe pots? I rarely use Mg, and have never experimented with these.

 

Thanks

 

/AV/

[optimus]

Strobes function in a flash phase/smoulder phase occilation, the smoulder phase releasing little or no light output, then the flash phase, continuing until all the comp is used up. The speed of the occilation is usually altered by changing the metal fuel particle size. There's a chapter explaining the various proposed strobe mechanisms in 'Pyrotechnic Chemistry' that I think you would do well to read, and I'm sure they're covered in other literature aswell.... I think the general concensus is that a flash composition and a 'dark' composition can be combined to create the effect, but there are other theories, and many exceptions ot the rule.

 

For instance, the following red strobe composition cannot be explained using the above theory:

 

Lithium Perchlorate 50

Hexamine 50

 

I'm sure a search should bring up alot more discussion of strobes.

[Pretty green flame]

For instance, the following red strobe composition cannot be explained using the above theory:

 

Lithium Perchlorate 50

Hexamine 50

 

I'm sure a search should bring up alot more discussion of strobes.

Do you know if the above strobe will only work with lithium perc or can others be substituted without creating an inferior effect?

[fredjr]

Indeed very similar to Shimizu's formula.

 

Shimizu AP Red Twinlker

Ammonium Perchlorate 50

Magnesium, ellipsoidal, 40-60 mesh 30

Strontium Sulfate 20

Potassium Dichromate 5

 

Blesser's was just first in my list of AP red strobes. I wasn't really ramming this tight, mostly just to keep it from easily spilling. Pressing is obviously a better choice. I have pvc and parlon so I'll try each and see if it helps color. A more vivid red would be nice, but I don't want to affect the frequency.

[optimus]

Do you know if the above strobe will only work with lithium perc or can others be substituted without creating an inferior effect?

I don't think it would work with Potassium Perchlorate. However, it should work with Ammonium Perchlorate, in a 60:40 ratio (60AP)

 

There's also a similar one:

 

Magnalium: 20

Ammonium Perchlorate: 50

Hexamine: 30

 

(Worrying lack of Dichromate -might want to consider adding 5%)

 

I'd be interested to hear what it looks like if you give it a try...

[Pretty green flame]

Don't know exactly where this should go so i'll ask here. What kind of prime is suggested for blesser's white strobe stars? Will a dusting of green mix do it or is something hotter needed?

[pudidotdk]

I have a batch lying around needing to be primed. I've heard step priming is a good option so i might have to make more composition, however I'd rather mix up some prime.

[Mumbles]

Just to be safe I would probably put a layer of hot prime under the green meal layer. I have a feeling that they would be a bit of a pain to light, but not real information to back that up. I've only made them once, and still haven't fired the comets they're in.