Nikko Posted January 12, 2014 Posted January 12, 2014 I saw some really, really, super-dooper intensely blue fireworks at New Year's. I looked and there are lots of compounds that give a blue colour. I'm asking because this was so incredibly blue, I've never seen it before. In fact it was probably violet. (I'm red-green colourblind, so I'm never certain with colours) Thanks for any help guys. Nikko
Zumber Posted January 12, 2014 Posted January 12, 2014 Thanks for any help guys. NikkoWhat help do you want?
LambentPyro Posted January 12, 2014 Posted January 12, 2014 (edited) What help do you want?Pretty sure he is asking for deep blue formulas. Here is a very nice blue that is super deep:Parts by weight.KClO4: 63Copper Carbonate: 12Parlon: 15Red Gum: 5Lactose: 5 If you want to use Copper Oxide instead, just try KP Pikho Blue, also very deep blue too:KClO4 63CuO 13Parlon 14Red Gum 10 Conkling Blue is essentially the same thing, but Dextrin bound:KClO4 64CuO 14Parlon 9Red Gum 7Dextrin 5 Those are just a few to try, Shimizu Blue is about the same too. Ultimately, you will get a deeper blue when a non-metallic fuel is present and just organic based fuels are. Edited January 12, 2014 by LambentPyro
asdercks Posted January 12, 2014 Posted January 12, 2014 Yep! metallic fuelled blue stars have a whitish "washed out" blue
dan999ification Posted January 12, 2014 Posted January 12, 2014 You can bind them all with acetone, alcohol, or water. Or even mixtures of and co bind.Just add a few % dextrin to comps without it it rarely affects things. Pyro science blue is quite nice, but with blues a lot depends on your favourite, the amount of light in the sky also affects the colour ( to the eye ) Dan.
pyroman2498 Posted January 13, 2014 Posted January 13, 2014 i like cobalt blue , anyone know a blue comp that would match that color ? idk if that would classify as a dark blue or light blue ,,
Nikko Posted January 13, 2014 Author Posted January 13, 2014 (edited) Whoops. I did forget to actually ask what the composition was.... :/ When you say you get a deeper blue with a non-metallic fuel... are you talking about the, for example, red gum, parlon and dextrin? Or do you mean the compound that is actually being brought to incandescence? So, would you (if possible) switch out the copper for a non-metal to get a deeper blue (obviously a blue-spectrum emitter) Also, I know sulphur burns blue, would it add blue to a firework? It's only a tiny part of BP, but if you had a larger mix? Edited January 13, 2014 by Nikko
Zumber Posted January 13, 2014 Posted January 13, 2014 Whoops. I did forget to actually ask what the composition was.... :/ When you say you get a deeper blue with a non-metallic fuel... are you talking about the, for example, red gum, parlon and dextrin? Or do you mean the compound that is actually being brought to incandescence? http://www.skylighter.com/fireworks/how-to-make/blue-copper-fireworks-stars.asp
LambentPyro Posted January 13, 2014 Posted January 13, 2014 (edited) Whoops. I did forget to actually ask what the composition was.... :/ When you say you get a deeper blue with a non-metallic fuel... are you talking about the, for example, red gum, parlon and dextrin? Or do you mean the compound that is actually being brought to incandescence? So, would you (if possible) switch out the copper for a non-metal to get a deeper blue (obviously a blue-spectrum emitter) Also, I know sulphur burns blue, would it add blue to a firework? It's only a tiny part of BP, but if you had a larger mix?Yes, if you use Red Gum, Parlon, etc., you get a deeper color than those that use metallics. Using Sulfur, you would encounter a couple things. A huge change in stoichiometric ratios, and a very very nasty smell after a shell or two goes off. Not to mention the increased risk using a higher content of Sulfur than usual will make things easier to contaminate and mix with incompatibles, I've heard that people even stay away from trying to directly mix Perchlorates with Sulfur because of how dangerous Chlorates are with Sulfur, not saying I agree or disagree with that (Perchlorates), but it's something to think about. You can bind them all with acetone, alcohol, or water. Or even mixtures of and co bind.Just add a few % dextrin to comps without it it rarely affects things.Pyro science blue is quite nice, but with blues a lot depends on your favourite, the amount of light in the sky also affects the colour ( to the eye )Dan.Not too much Dextrin unless you will cause the stars to be driven-in. Something else to think about is if you're mixing organic stars with metallic stars in the sky, rather in the same shell or not, the organics will appear to be ruined and inferior in brightness because your retina adjusts faster to light than to darkness. Keep your methods consistent with each other... Stay safe, and always think twice. Edited January 15, 2014 by LambentPyro
nater Posted January 13, 2014 Posted January 13, 2014 The Hardt Blue #6 is a good blue, and uses Sulfur as the fuel. The problem with metallic blues, is they tend to burn too hot and appear washed out. Blues need to be a cooler burning flame and adding metals make this more difficult. About the sulfur smell, I've only noticed it being too bad with a "white" smoke mixture.Degn White Smoke is a BP type smoke that is very heavy on the sulfur. It is hard to keep lit and emits a pale yellow smoke with noxious fumes. I wouldn't imagine it would be even be noticed in stars.
dan999ification Posted January 13, 2014 Posted January 13, 2014 +1Dextrin does not cause Stars to be driven in, some comps use up to 10%. Overwetting and bad practices from not knowing what you are doing cause that. Dan.
LambentPyro Posted January 13, 2014 Posted January 13, 2014 (edited) In Bleser's book, he describes that using too much Dextrin will cause the surface of the stars to become extra sticky and does not allow the core to be dried. Edited January 13, 2014 by LambentPyro
dan999ification Posted January 13, 2014 Posted January 13, 2014 Overwetting.I understand what driven in means.Previously when comp has been this wet I'd screen it, spread it out and wait for it to dry a bit, start again.These days weighing and measuring aswell as taking notes almost eliminate the chance of that happening.How you dry them also can determine whether they do or not.From Experience not books. Dan.
pyrokid Posted January 13, 2014 Posted January 13, 2014 What does everyone think of using metallic blue formulas for a quick light blue color? I like the look of metallic blues in conjunction with other metallic colors.
nater Posted January 15, 2014 Posted January 15, 2014 If you like them, by all means use them. The first blue I made was basically a parlon bound version of Veline Blue. It was pale for what I wanted, but it was obviously blue and bright enough to not be overpowered by other colors. If that is someone's goal, I would recommend the Veline Blue or similar comps as a good starting point. I'm currently working on a few different gold / blue combinations, but I want a more pronounced royal blue. When combined with charcoal comets, a dimmer blue is okay with me.
LambentPyro Posted January 15, 2014 Posted January 15, 2014 Overwetting.I understand what driven in means.Previously when comp has been this wet I'd screen it, spread it out and wait for it to dry a bit, start again.These days weighing and measuring aswell as taking notes almost eliminate the chance of that happening.How you dry them also can determine whether they do or not.From Experience not books.Dan.Books are created from those with experience. If you don't think excess Dextrin will cause it, then you have not experienced too many driven-in stars. I messed up a few batches from shells of the Fourth of July and could tell you that drying (like you said), excess wetting (also like you said),and excess binder are all factors of a star being driven-in.
dan999ification Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 Which comps did you use that had more than the normal 5% ? I've had driven in stars alright but it was never down to dextrin, it was all me.Like I said it hasn't happened for years and I mainly make charcoal stars, the amount of water changes from comp to comp. also the shape and size can require more or less moisture, then there's your methods. This can be confusing and it's to easy to blame your tools.I have enough notebooks by now Dan.
dan999ification Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 I do like my veline blue.But dont find it blue enough to use as small star cores. Viewed with colours or on its own its blue and that's it. Which is great If I need some blue I use it but after seeing first hand how much better non metallic blues look, if I WAN'T blue I'll use something else. I'm leaning more towards deeper organic blues after much persuasion Dan.
LambentPyro Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 (edited) It was a calculation error when I went to add Dextrin, I added 32 grams in a 400 gram batch instead of 16 grams as it was supposed to be from the formula sheet I printed out. I recognized the error later on when reviewing my notes. Edited January 16, 2014 by LambentPyro
asdercks Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 It was a calculation error when I went to add Dextrin, I added 32 grams in a 400 gram batch instead of 16 grams as it was supposed to be from the formula sheet I printed out. I recognized the error later on when reviewing my notes. Hahahahaha That happened to me several times when I started in this hobby, now I pay more attention especially in these days when some of the chemicals are so expensive, and for safety reasons obviously.
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