BlastFromThePast Posted March 11, 2013 Posted March 11, 2013 I have close to a pound of 5 micron aluminum powder and I'm wondering if it's particle size makes it too small for general use in composition. I used to make FP with it, with some good results, but I outgrew the shallow fascination of making things go boom for no reason , and now I'm trying to be more productive. I've come across many comps calling for bright flake and aluminum of a larger mesh, and have never come across one calling for something as small as what I have. SO, I"m not gonna be an idiot and try to substitute my aluminum for say the aluminum called for in the Hardt Bright Streamer comp because i'm sure that will mess up the rate of reaction (maybe?) but I'm wondering if you guys know of anything I can do with it. Maybe add in a few % of aluminum to a compatible composition? I don't really know, but I'm looking to you guys for some ideas on what to do with it.
AirCowPeacock Posted March 12, 2013 Posted March 12, 2013 Matching metal shape and size is critical in safety and performance. I wouldn't want to roll alot of aluminium streamers where my Al is flash grade.
mathiasxx94 Posted March 12, 2013 Posted March 12, 2013 (edited) Here are some compositions you may want to take a look at:Note that the ingredients does not count up to 100. The formulas do not call for 5 micron, but as close as I could find Star: Red Metallic FueledName: Independence Red #4 Strontium Nitrate...............62Saran Resin......................14Aluminum, dark. 3 micron..13Parlon.................................7Red Gum............................6Dextrin................................5Boric Acid...........................1Total:..............................108 Star: Silver StreamerName: Angie Palm D Potassium Chlorate..........................40Potassium Nitrate.............................25Magnalium, granular, -100 mesh.....10Red Gum.........................................10Titanium, grindings, 10-20 mesh.......5Aluminum, dark. 3 micron..................5Dextrin...............................................5Total:.............................................100 Star: White Metallic FueledName: Brilliant White Aluminum, dark. 3 micron................4Potassium Perchlorate....................4Dextrin............................................1Total:..............................................9 Be careful here! Blend the pot perc. with dextrin before mixing with aluminium. Name: Flash CoreSource: David Bleser Barium Nitrate..............................66Aluminum, dark. 3 micron............27Dextrin...........................................6Boric Acid......................................1Total:.........................................100 P.S. "Flash Core Igniter" should be used as prime for this formula. Prime: Hot IgniterName: Flash Core Igniter #24Source: David Bleser Barium Nitrate34Potassium Perchlorate.........................33Aluminum, dark.3 micron......................10Antimony Trisulfide, 325 mesh...............9Red Gum...............................................8Dextrin...................................................5Boric Acid..............................................1Total:.................................................100 Star: Green Metallic FueledName: Emerald Green Al Barium Nitrate............................65Parlon........................................16Potassium Perchlorate...............15Aluminum, dark. 8 micron...........10Dextrin.........................................5Red Gum.....................................5Charcoal Airfloat..........................2Boric Acid....................................2Total:.......................................120 -Mathias Edited March 12, 2013 by mathiasxx94
BlastFromThePast Posted March 12, 2013 Author Posted March 12, 2013 Mathias, thank you! While I don't have half of the chems listed there, I definitely will be able to put this Al to good use when I do. Thanks again!
mathiasxx94 Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 You're welcome! Nice to hear that you are beyond the flash-making stage.
BlastFromThePast Posted March 13, 2013 Author Posted March 13, 2013 yeah it got old really fast hahaha
taiwanluthiers Posted March 20, 2013 Posted March 20, 2013 I thought about it as well and found that fine mesh aluminum powder reacts easily with water. I have made pretty decent greens by substituting the mgal with dark aluminum in the emerald green formula. The green is decent however the fact that it reacted so easily with water (whereas the MgAl comp doesn't react so readily) kinda made me not want to deal with it. It would be fine if parlon or red gum bound however.
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