dangerousamateur Posted September 11, 2011 Posted September 11, 2011 Hi, I'd like to hear your opinion of what you think is - the nicest rather slow burning red composition- the nicest red composition burning normal, or rather fast. The slow burning one is for a little parachute project, and the fast burning for "normal" but BIG stars. By nicest I mean reddest. I haven't got much experience with colors yet.But I'm not afraid of chlorate.
allrocketspsl Posted September 11, 2011 Posted September 11, 2011 Hi, I'd like to hear your opinion of what you think is - the nicest rather slow burning red composition- the nicest red composition burning normal, or rather fast. The slow burning one is for a little parachute project, and the fast burning for "normal" but BIG stars. By nicest I mean reddest. I haven't got much experience with colors yet.But I'm not afraid of chlorate. try neds version of "independence red" its a winner
Mumbles Posted September 11, 2011 Posted September 11, 2011 I would probably avoid chlorates until you get more experience. This is especially true if you want to use ammonium perchlorate, which may be needed to get the reddest red possible. Are you looking for metallic or organic stars? I find Buell red, ruby red, and independence red all to be pretty nice. They work for stars very well, but may not burn fast enough for your plans. It's unclear what you want to do exactly, but I've seen comets made of 1 or 1.25" ruby red at least that seemed to burn too long for the 8" shell they were in. For something longer burning, I've used the following as a lance. It's from Sam Base's article in pyrotechnica IV. It had a very nice color, but is organic and may not be quite as visible in a parachute flare type of visible. Ammonium Perchlorate - 30Potassium Perchlorate - 35Strontium Carbonate - 17Red Gum - 10Dextrin - 4Hexamine - 4
dangerousamateur Posted September 12, 2011 Author Posted September 12, 2011 Does it matter if Sr(NO3)2 is involved?I'd like to exclude such compositions because of possible hygroscopic behaviour. Ammonium perchlorate is not available to me. Comparing organic and metallic fueled compositions:metal is brighter and thus often prefered, but how do they usually compare in color?
allrocketspsl Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 Does it matter if Sr(NO3)2 is involved?I'd like to exclude such compositions because of possible hygroscopic behaviour. Ammonium perchlorate is not available to me. Comparing organic and metallic fueled compositions:metal is brighter and thus often prefered, but how do they usually compare in color? Im not a chemist and will never even get close to being one but without Sr(NO3)2 you aint going to get reds,alot of people say, make sure you dry it well beofre using then add solution,da, why ?I never dry strontium nitrate and get great reds so there goes that argument,yes metal brightens the comp but also washes out the colour so theres a balance! Good luck
optimus Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 without Sr(NO3)2 you aint going to get reds This is entirely inaccurate. Some of the KP / carbonate reds are fantastic (Swisher Sweet Red comes to mind) and the comp Mumbles listed is just about the best red lance I've seen. In terms of organic/metal it's a preference thing, depends on what effect you're trying to achieve.
Mumbles Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 Except for the above lance formula, I'll admit that I've been largely unimpressed with most organic carbonate reds. Buell red is a carbonate based formula, and try telling me that it isn't red. I think part of the secret for that particular formula is that the carbonate is part of the oxidizer, thus you can get more in there as opposed to just being a colorant. That may be part of the appeal of strontium nitrate, as you can have 50 or 60% of the formula also be the colorant.
allrocketspsl Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 This is entirely inaccurate. Some of the KP / carbonate reds are fantastic (Swisher Sweet Red comes to mind) and the comp Mumbles listed is just about the best red lance I've seen. In terms of organic/metal it's a preference thing, depends on what effect you're trying to achieve. everyone is intitled to their opion!
dagabu Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 Hi, I'd like to hear your opinion of what you think is - the nicest rather slow burning red composition- the nicest red composition burning normal, or rather fast. The slow burning one is for a little parachute project, and the fast burning for "normal" but BIG stars. By nicest I mean reddest. I haven't got much experience with colors yet.But I'm not afraid of chlorate. EH Lacquer Red is my favorite slow burning red. Simply gorgeous! -dag
optimus Posted September 13, 2011 Posted September 13, 2011 everyone is intitled to their opion! Absolutely! And I'm entitled to tell you you're wrong
dangerousamateur Posted September 13, 2011 Author Posted September 13, 2011 EH Lacquer Red Can you post the formula? And is there any difference between Chlorate and Perchlorate (assuming same purity) in corlor quality?
dagabu Posted September 13, 2011 Posted September 13, 2011 I have no idea if chlorate is better for colors, I simply don't use it. Add acetone to dissolve the parlon, go easy as it gets wet fast!! Lacquer Red Ammonium Perchlorate 41 Strontium Nitrate 20 Hexamine 12 Parlon 13 Sulfur 3 Red Gum 3 Magnalium 200 mesh 8
50AE Posted September 13, 2011 Posted September 13, 2011 (edited) Not sure if chlorate reds are the greatest, but they are nice for sure and I like chlorate colors because of 3 things in one: -cheap-beautiful-easy to ignite You will deserve these three when you get more experienced in pyro though. Edited September 13, 2011 by 50AE
stckmndn Posted September 14, 2011 Posted September 14, 2011 I will second Independence Red. Was shocked at how bright it was. It would fall on the slow burning side. From my notes: Independence Red Strontium nitrate 50 MgAl -200 mesh 18 Parlon 16 Red gum 10 Dextrin 5 “Blinding road flare red” (He's not kidding) Source: Algenco on APC
allrocketspsl Posted September 14, 2011 Posted September 14, 2011 Absolutely! And I'm entitled to tell you you're wrong yep Not sure if chlorate reds are the greatest, but they are nice for sure and I like chlorate colors because of 3 things in one: -cheap-beautiful-easy to ignite You will deserve these three when you get more experienced in pyro though. most dont need priming
dagabu Posted September 14, 2011 Posted September 14, 2011 I will second Independence Red. Was shocked at how bright it was. It would fall on the slow burning side. From my notes: Independence Red Strontium nitrate 50 MgAl -200 mesh 18 Parlon 16 Red gum 10 Dextrin 5 "Blinding road flare red" (He's not kidding) Source: Algenco on APC Use acetone and slice them, roll them in meal powder for prime and they are fantastic! My very first star. Thanks for the reminder. -dag
Mumbles Posted September 14, 2011 Posted September 14, 2011 Kind of thinking ahead here. Dag, do you think the lacquer red you posted could be wet with vaseline or something and pressed into tubes for flares pretty easily? The color is really outstanding and it has a good burn time. The vaseline is more to provide storage stability and some coagulant type binder such as for strobes and whistles.
dagabu Posted September 14, 2011 Posted September 14, 2011 Hmmmmm, I think I still have a kilo of the comp in the mag. I will melt some vaseline tonight and see what it does. Any thoughts on the amount to use? 1/2" tube OK? -dag
Algenco Posted September 14, 2011 Posted September 14, 2011 (edited) a note about the Independence Red, don't shoot 1/2" stars if there's snow on the ground. I shot a 6" ball last December at a club meet, snow falling, several inch's on the ground.Those 1/2" stars burned to within 100' of the ground and lit up a 1/2 wide mile area.Comments like " sure was red" were heard, took several minutes for everyone to regain their sight Edited September 14, 2011 by Algenco
dagabu Posted September 14, 2011 Posted September 14, 2011 (edited) LOL! I love that about those bright red stars! Doesn't anybody need Strontium Nitrate at all? If you are looking for some, email me, I will give you a deal! -dag Edited September 14, 2011 by dagabu 1
dagabu Posted September 14, 2011 Posted September 14, 2011 (edited) Kind of thinking ahead here. Dag, do you think the lacquer red you posted could be wet with vaseline or something and pressed into tubes for flares pretty easily? The color is really outstanding and it has a good burn time. The vaseline is more to provide storage stability and some coagulant type binder such as for strobes and whistles. OK, done. Red was good, the paper burning made the flame color yellow at the base and got worse as the burn went on. 1.5" column of comp, 1.5 minutes. Video to follow. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ6vC_QOstc -dag Edited September 15, 2011 by dagabu
stckmndn Posted September 15, 2011 Posted September 15, 2011 a note about the Independence Red, don't shoot 1/2" stars if there's snow on the ground. I shot a 6" ball last December at a club meet, snow falling, several inch's on the ground.Those 1/2" stars burned to within 100' of the ground and lit up a 1/2 wide mile area.Comments like " sure was red" were heard, took several minutes for everyone to regain their sight That's not an exaggeration. These stars are retina burning bright. So my question is, what would you pair these stars with other than a very bright white? I doubt there is a complimentary green that can match it's intensity.
dagabu Posted September 15, 2011 Posted September 15, 2011 (edited) Pairing them with a bushy silver or white tailed comet or hummer is nice. (Psssst! I added the video above) -dag Edited September 15, 2011 by dagabu
allrocketspsl Posted September 15, 2011 Posted September 15, 2011 Hi, I'd like to hear your opinion of what you think is - the nicest rather slow burning red composition- the nicest red composition burning normal, or rather fast. The slow burning one is for a little parachute project, and the fast burning for "normal" but BIG stars. By nicest I mean reddest. I haven't got much experience with colors yet.But I'm not afraid of chlorate. I have a web site if you need red flare comp
dangerousamateur Posted September 16, 2011 Author Posted September 16, 2011 Concerning Independence Red:Use acetone and slice them, roll them in meal powder for prime and they are fantastic! My very first star. Thanks for the reminder.How about the dextrine then? Does it work with acetone?And if not, or the parlon does the binding job alone: can I leave it out? Does it have much fuel value?
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