killforfood Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 I have a couple lbs of what I believe to be spheroidal aluminum in the 100mesh to 200mesh range. I see spherical aluminum listed fairly common in star comps but don't believe I've ever seen spheroidal mentioned. Could it be used interchangeably? Is burn speed the only thing that aluminum particle shape affects? http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/killforfood/Pyro/SpheroidalaluminumPic1.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/killforfood/Pyro/SpheroidalaluminumPic2.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/killforfood/Pyro/SpheroidalaluminumPic3.jpg
Mumbles Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 Depending on how it's used it will have a few different effects. If it's the primary fuel, yeah the star will probably burn slower and perhaps not as well. If it's in a glitter or spark producing role the delay of the glitter or spray height/length will be enhanced respectively. The aluminum actually called for in Winokur's manuscript is actually much coarser than the frequently cited -325 mesh.
oldguy Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 (edited) If it's in a glitter or spark producing role the delay of the glitter or spray height/length will be enhanced respectively. I used some in a star comp about like that shot from a star gum.VERY true what Mum says above. Edited January 17, 2012 by oldguy
Potassiumchlorate Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 I made Lancaster Silver a couple of years ago. It calls for the same amounts of German Black and "bright" flake aluminium. I didn't have any flake Al by then, so I used spherical. It burned a bit slow but very nice effect.
warthog Posted January 29, 2012 Posted January 29, 2012 I use the stuff in fountains a lot. It produces a nice, fine spray of sparks that don't last long which tend to enhance a microstar effect IMO.
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