What to do with 20 micron aluminum

[giod]

Mistakenly bought some 20 micron AL.. Won't work for flash. What can I use it for? Rockets or mortars, add it to lift or propellant? Use it in burst? All Recommendations are welcome. Want to utilize it I. Some type of firework, what's your favorite use of AL of this mesh?

[Seymour]

I'm sure you can use it for flash, in the right context.

 

I'm assuming you're talking about atomised. 20 micron atomised is quite typical for whites, silvers, APCP, and should work in some glitters.

 

You can certainly use it to boost the performance in firework rockets, much like it is used in APCP. I personally like to boost my BP end burners and nossleless rockets with dark flake Al and Mgal, and with about 5% wax added they make rather ruthless core burning rockets (with nossles).

 

I've used 20 micron Al in place of the dark Al and it worked very well, though it definitely had more trouble getting to pressure. Additionally I was using MgAl to help it all ignite. I believe it has promise, even without the MgAl, especially in core burners. BP + 10% Al could be a place to start.

[FlaMtnBkr]

What type of aluminum? Flake? Bright flake? Spherical? Granular?

 

Maybe flash, if you know what you are doing. Exploding targets. Slow flash shell booster. Glitter. Prime, White stars. Really need to know particle shape to give better ideas.

[giod]

I don't know how to tell, shape. It's not dark though.. I have some 5micron that works in flash, although not as good as the ekhart.. Been playing with basic cement nozzles in 3/4" sugar rockets, initial tests look good. Dry packed kn03 with sugar. 60/40 , would adding the AL to this comp do anything? Getting ready to build first canister mortars soon.

[LambentPyro]

Probably atomized, you can really tell if its flake, that stuff is very airborne. It's great for glitters like mentioned above. Try it in Yankies Flashing, and you'll get a beautiful effect!