What are the limitations of using 5 micron aluminum powder?

[BlastFromThePast]

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]

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.

[Algenco]

small amounts are spec'd in some formulas

[mathiasxx94]

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 Fueled

Name: Independence Red #4

 

Strontium Nitrate...............62

Saran Resin......................14

Aluminum, dark. 3 micron..13

Parlon.................................7

Red Gum............................6

Dextrin................................5

Boric Acid...........................1

Total:..............................108

 

 

Star: Silver Streamer

Name: Angie Palm D

 

Potassium Chlorate..........................40

Potassium Nitrate.............................25

Magnalium, granular, -100 mesh.....10

Red Gum.........................................10

Titanium, grindings, 10-20 mesh.......5

Aluminum, dark. 3 micron..................5

Dextrin...............................................5

Total:.............................................100

 

 

 

Star: White Metallic Fueled

Name: Brilliant White

 

Aluminum, dark. 3 micron................4

Potassium Perchlorate....................4

Dextrin............................................1

Total:..............................................9

 

Be careful here! Blend the pot perc. with dextrin before mixing with aluminium.

 

 

 

Name: Flash Core

Source: David Bleser

 

Barium Nitrate..............................66

Aluminum, dark. 3 micron............27

Dextrin...........................................6

Boric Acid......................................1

Total:.........................................100

 

P.S. "Flash Core Igniter" should be used as prime for this formula.

 

 

Prime: Hot Igniter

Name: Flash Core Igniter #24

Source: David Bleser

 

Barium Nitrate34

Potassium Perchlorate.........................33

Aluminum, dark.3 micron......................10

Antimony Trisulfide, 325 mesh...............9

Red Gum...............................................8

Dextrin...................................................5

Boric Acid..............................................1

Total:.................................................100

 

 

 

Star: Green Metallic Fueled

Name: Emerald Green Al

 

Barium Nitrate............................65

Parlon........................................16

Potassium Perchlorate...............15

Aluminum, dark. 8 micron...........10

Dextrin.........................................5

Red Gum.....................................5

Charcoal Airfloat..........................2

Boric Acid....................................2

Total:.......................................120

 

 

-Mathias

Edited March 12, 2013 by mathiasxx94

[BlastFromThePast]

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]

You're welcome! Nice to hear that you are beyond the flash-making stage.

[BlastFromThePast]

yeah it got old really fast hahaha

[taiwanluthiers]

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.