Can QM burn too fast?

[Coulterbart]

I got some 5 strand red qm that I was testing to use as leaders and chains. It sounds like a firecracker when it goes. The first piece I tested I tied a knot to see how well it would pass bends. I thought for some reason that caused it (building up pressure or something) so the second and third piece I just laid about a foot strip and same thing.

 

I put 2 different types of visco on two more pieces (trying to light visco from qm) Stuck it in about 2-3 inches and taped it up with masking tape. Each qm blew the visco out without igniting it.

 

The casing is pretty shredded but all of the black match inside is burnt up. I am going to pull a couple of strands out and try that but just wondered if this is normal for red shiny qm and if so, what r your tricks to get it to visco?

Edited January 27, 2014 by Coulterbart

[LambentPyro]

Quickmatch travels at about 100 feet/s (good quality), if it's not fast, then it's poorly made QM. The only time you could be concerned if it makes a split in the leader, even that though, quickmatch is quickmatch.

[nater]

QM can burn faster than visco will ignite. To help ensure ignion, cut the visco on an angle which exposes more of the powder core. You can also try to prime the end of the visco with a drop of BP / NC lacquer slurry.

[FlaMtnBkr]

Lighting visco can be tough. Sometimes I have to hold a flame to it for a couple seconds.You really need to do as Nater suggested and cut at an angle and prime it with something that will take fire easily such as a BP slurry. You dont want to introduce water so as mentioned NC lacquer will be the best option and will dry quickly so you can use it soon after. Dredging in some fine BP granules (30 mesh?) So there is some rough edges will help it grab the fire even better.

 

You could also try exposing a couple inches of the match, wrapping around the angled visco, and taping on. Then it will slow down when it comes out of the piping and the flame will stay in contact with the visco longer. I go the other way and light quick match with visco so not sure if it will work but worth trying.

[Coulterbart]

Ok. I tried some tests again and by pulling out 3 strands and leaving 2 in. QM burned more like I feel it should and was able to pass fire from QM to visco reliably.

 

My subject might have been worded wrong, I understand qm should burn fast (instantly) but I was thinking it was building up too much pressure causing it to blow the wrapping into pieces and burn too fast to pass fire to visco.

 

As tedious as it sounds, I guess I will pull some strands out for the pieces I want to use for chain and use the extra black match for cross matching.

 

Was really just wanting to confirm that the red qm is supposed to burn like that (firecracker sound) instead of how it burns with some pieces taken out.

 

Thanks for the replies, and I did try the angle cut Nater I just didn't mention it, I will try some slurry on visco with all 5 strands and see how that works too.

[cogbarry]

Is the match inside black or gray? It sound's like you have some of the gray perchlorate QM which is much faster and more violent than the standard QM.

[Coulterbart]

It is a lighter grey that BP. Definitely not black. I would think that might be the case.

 

It was from our 'one pound' friend.

[nater]

A friend and I noticed the same loud snap from the QM from the same person this summer. As I mentioned in another thread, I was told it was a KP type match, but we didn't test it to prove it.

 

Just because it has red piping does not mean a thing. There is Lidu match with a red waterproof piping that is not the same.

[FlaMtnBkr]

All the quick match I have ever had burns violently, splitting the wrapper, and sounds like a 'Blackcat'. In fact I take a piece and show people that have never seen it and it always surprises people what some pressure does.

 

Sounds like good QM to me.