distress flare composition secret revealed

[val77]

observing a red parachute flare, I disassemble and I carefully examine the flare, I saw something intriguing

 

Indeed, instead of using magnesium powder as fine for the stars

they use rather coarse magnesium which makes the slow-burning and bright red

 

when you turn on a handflare you see sparks, it is the combustion of magnesium coarse

When I can, I will test it and you would share my findings

 

greetings

Edited December 9, 2012 by val77

[Mortartube]

The tonnage that it is pressed at also determines brightness and burn time within certain boundaries. Some military flares are pressed around 60 tons.

[Brkdnc]

I would really like to know how this turns out. I have some 26.5mm flare cases that I would like to re-load

[val77]

the flares manufacturers use a coarse magnesium in the flares (70 mesh) in the classical red flare formula

[mabuse00]

I recently bought such 70 mesh stuff extra for Mg flares, because 200mesh allways tended to "explode" on me.

 

I can tell you that the difference was barely noticable.

I even made salutes with homemade drilling turnings.

 

Coarse stuff is NOT the "secret" you mention (imho)!

Pressing really hard seems to be. I don't think this is easily doable for small scale hobby pyros.

Edited December 11, 2012 by mabuse00

[Seymour]

I always expected that other than the cost, the Mg in emergency flares was so large to reduce metal surface area and improve shelf life.