giod Posted August 30, 2013 Posted August 30, 2013 Got some 200-300 mesh Magnallium to use in flash comps. Seems too coarse. tried it in 70/30 perc and 50/50 perc also tried with 5% Sulfur, to no avail.. I'm assuming it's too coarse for flash comp. Question should I mill it further in a ball mill? I know there are conflicting views on milling any metals, but that aside, shouldn't i be aiming for something closure to a pyro grade AL mesh like 10 micon or less? Thanks in advance. also..if I can't use it for flash comp, what is your favorite use for MgAl outside of flash? Thanks in advance.
mabuse00 Posted August 30, 2013 Posted August 30, 2013 You could make a whole bunch of colored stars with it.If you haven't barium- or strontium nitrate, check out this article:http://www.skylighter.com/fireworks/how-to-make/colored-screen-sliced-rubber-stars.asp Or try glitters like W20 ect. Wont get you in trouble so fast compared to flash
schroedinger Posted August 30, 2013 Posted August 30, 2013 Yes for flash you will need at least <500mesh size. Bur remember if you would take just normal al and mill it down, it would be god and not so likely to react like mg or mgal, so you would get a much safer comp. For milling take steel balls 1
ollie1016 Posted August 30, 2013 Posted August 30, 2013 I use 250mesh 50:50 MgAl for flash. I need to do 10g + batch or it isn't that effective. I also use 250# bright flake Al for flash. Both comps are hard to ignite. If you have some extra fuse in the device you intend to make, that should lite it nicely. I know this is boring, but please read it. Flash is really powerful. It can take off finger, hands and arms if you are not careful. I suggest that you don't start making flash until you have read about it. And feel confident that you have the correct knowledge and safety PPE. Read , read, read and read again.
giod Posted August 30, 2013 Author Posted August 30, 2013 I use 250mesh 50:50 MgAl for flash. I need to do 10g + batch or it isn't that effective. I also use 250# bright flake Al for flash. Both comps are hard to ignite. If you have some extra fuse in the device you intend to make, that should lite it nicely. I know this is boring, but please read it. Flash is really powerful. It can take off finger, hands and arms if you are not careful. I suggest that you don't start making flash until you have read about it. And feel confident that you have the correct knowledge and safety PPE. Read , read, read and read again. Thanks for the insight into the MgAl conundrum.. I've only tried igniting 3 grams or less confined and .5 gr. unconfined to no avail. Perhaps in a larger quantity would work like a large salute shell. Thanks also for the customary warnings about flash. been reading about flash for a couple months now, mastered my BP first then flash next. I know the OG's on here seems to have an unspoken policy about warning noobs to stay away from flash until they have mastered other comps.. but like 99% of other we all get drawn to a flame like a moth, because we all like things that go boom, and maybe at the end of the day if that's what get's us into the hobby, and we can manage to do it without blowing fingers off, it's ok. some of us will heed the warnings and follow directions and get versed in the way of FP, some won't . Myself, I spent a few weeks of reading about FP before even attempting to purchase chemicals. You can learn a LOT in a few weeks on google. Yes, unplug the glue gun, static spary cotton clothing no socks on the carpet.. Check..! no more than 10g per batch.. no ball milling, coffee grinding, mortaring all components together, always separate, then the good old "Diaper" thing for the final mix, and of course never store FP, just make it as you need it in SMALL 10 g batches. and respect it! No sparks or flames or sparking tools nearby, unplug everything in earshot. Only ball mill your BP outdoors away from structure. Watch out for ball milling metals.. Oxidized metals suck in 02 when opening the container.. no sulfur with Chlorates... So yeah I feel like I have learned enough to get started with simple salutes.. of course there is always a risk, but from what I have read, accidentally igniting 70/30 perc flash or kn03 flash is pretty rare especially in the absence of spark or flame. Even the hot glue gun could never be hot enough to light the comp.. unless it self destructs internally.. (hence the unplug). Thanks for the warning though, and I will pass the warning along to other noobs as I crawl up the ranks of membership.
ollie1016 Posted August 31, 2013 Posted August 31, 2013 Thanks for the insight into the MgAl conundrum.. I've only tried igniting 3 grams or less confined and .5 gr. unconfined to no avail. Perhaps in a larger quantity would work like a large salute shell. Thanks also for the customary warnings about flash. been reading about flash for a couple months now, mastered my BP first then flash next. I know the OG's on here seems to have an unspoken policy about warning noobs to stay away from flash until they have mastered other comps.. but like 99% of other we all get drawn to a flame like a moth, because we all like things that go boom, and maybe at the end of the day if that's what get's us into the hobby, and we can manage to do it without blowing fingers off, it's ok. some of us will heed the warnings and follow directions and get versed in the way of FP, some won't . Myself, I spent a few weeks of reading about FP before even attempting to purchase chemicals. You can learn a LOT in a few weeks on google. Yes, unplug the glue gun, static spary cotton clothing no socks on the carpet.. Check..! no more than 10g per batch.. no ball milling, coffee grinding, mortaring all components together, always separate, then the good old "Diaper" thing for the final mix, and of course never store FP, just make it as you need it in SMALL 10 g batches. and respect it! No sparks or flames or sparking tools nearby, unplug everything in earshot. Only ball mill your BP outdoors away from structure. Watch out for ball milling metals.. Oxidized metals suck in 02 when opening the container.. no sulfur with Chlorates... So yeah I feel like I have learned enough to get started with simple salutes.. of course there is always a risk, but from what I have read, accidentally igniting 70/30 perc flash or kn03 flash is pretty rare especially in the absence of spark or flame. Even the hot glue gun could never be hot enough to light the comp.. unless it self destructs internally.. (hence the unplug). Thanks for the warning though, and I will pass the warning along to other noobs as I crawl up the ranks of membership. No worries. I'm alway happy to help if I can. Flash is a touchy subject on the forum. Unfortunately alot of people just like the fireworks that go 'BANG!', and that doesn't do any justice to the full scope of pyrotechnics. It's important that people have the relevant information, in order to carry out the correct procedures safely. There will always be noobs, and I bet 80% of people on here sometime like to go outside and let off the odd salute when they need a pyro fix! I'm happy to answer any questions you may have, PM me if you do. Stay safe.
Recommended Posts