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Flash powder is the universal composition for almost all pyrotechnic reports. Bottle rockets, thunderbombs, m-80's, shells, everything. If it is not enclosed in a container then a bright flash along with a lot of smoke will be produced as shown in the picture. If it is enclosed in a container, even the smallest amounts will produce a loud report and a violent explosion.
If you are going to use this to make fireworks please note that fireworks must be legal in your state, you might need some sort of license, and that you can use no more then 50 milligrams per firecracker ANYWHERE no exceptions. Any firework that contains more then 50 milligrams is illegal in every state.
Flash powder was originally used for producing light for cameras about 100 years ago. You have probably seen something to this extent where a photographer holds a wooden handle with a flat platform on top, says look at the birdy, and poof he ignites the flash powder.
There are many different formulas for flash powder, I will explain the simplest one with the easiest chemicals to get your hands on.
Flash powder is the universal composition for almost all pyrotechnic reports. Bottle rockets, thunderbombs, m-80's, shells, everything. If it is not enclosed in a container then a bright flash along with a lot of smoke will be produced as shown in the picture. If it is enclosed in a container, even the smallest amounts will produce a loud report and a violent explosion.
If you are going to use this to make fireworks please note that fireworks must be legal in your state, you might need some sort of license, and that you can use no more then 50 milligrams per firecracker ANYWHERE no exceptions. Any firework that contains more then 50 milligrams is illegal in every state.
Flash powder was originally used for producing light for cameras about 100 years ago. You have probably seen something to this extent where a photographer holds a wooden handle with a flat platform on top, says look at the birdy, and poof he ignites the flash powder.
There are many different formulas for flash powder, I will explain the simplest one with the easiest chemicals to get your hands on.
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The simplest formula for flash powder has only 2 components.
400-600 mesh aluminum powder. The mesh refers to the size of the particles in the powder, it may also be referred to by its actual particle size in microns. For micron size the smaller the number the smaller the particle, for mesh size the higher the number the smaller the particle. A general rule of thumb - the smaller the particle the better. Can be bought on e-bay.
Potassium perchlorate - it is the oxidizer in the reaction. It is getting harder and harder to come by, the CPSC is trying to outlaw many different chemicals, and potassium perchlorate is high on their priority list. As of this writing it can still be bought on unitednuclear.com.
400-600 mesh aluminum powder. The mesh refers to the size of the particles in the powder, it may also be referred to by its actual particle size in microns. For micron size the smaller the number the smaller the particle, for mesh size the higher the number the smaller the particle. A general rule of thumb - the smaller the particle the better. Can be bought on e-bay.
Potassium perchlorate - it is the oxidizer in the reaction. It is getting harder and harder to come by, the CPSC is trying to outlaw many different chemicals, and potassium perchlorate is high on their priority list. As of this writing it can still be bought on unitednuclear.com.
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Those engines are basically black powder. How you have managed not to blow yourself up is beyond me. If you want that kind of thing, get the real ingredients: Salt-peter (canning salt), sulfur and charcoal. Grind them carefully and seperately into a fine powder. Use some screen mesh to even out/filter the particles. DO NOT hit them to grind them up. A mortar and pestil or carefully grinding on the mesh. The finer the powder the better the result. Experiment with the proportions. . .they can be found on the net. WARNING: BLACK POWDER IS CONSIDERED AN EXPLOSIVE. IT IS VOLITILE, UNPREDICTABLE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. Like I said. . .why you haven't blown yourself up yet is a mystery to me. . .be careful and have. . . .fun.
I want to make some that the movie ninjas use...
1. Size. Always mix very small batches right before use especially if you are new to the stuff. There is a very, very fine line between too little and too much and it is much smaller than what an inexperienced person would think. If you want a louder bang: a thick paper cylinder with ends open is better than more powder. If you want more illumination, use a different powder.
2. Handling. Treat this stuff as if it could ignite from the smallest bump, heat, or (electric) shock. Always keep the mixture at full arms length. While the mixture discovered is relatively stable (as far as flash goes) you should still treat it with the utmost respect. Be slow and methodical with it; have a plan with the stuff from preparation to ignition before mixing it to begin with.
3. Gear. In the absolute worse case the stuff may ignite due to some unforeseen circumstance. You may want to wear protective gear to mitigate damage. Some may think more gear makes you more likely to screw up or will not protect you from damage. But I feel that the right gear and following rule 1. and 2. will let you certainly live and maybe keep your hands and fingers. The goal is to protect your hands from heat, your eyes from flash, and your whole body from shrapnel. I used two separate gloves together for my hands; heat protective and leather gloves to absorb heat and kinetic energy. For my body I used a *thick* jumpsuit. Head was paintball mask and my sunglasses were tinted and break resistant. My example is certainly extreme, but no matter what amount of gear you use you want to be fully competent in dexterity before handling flash powder.
4. Methodology: You want to know everything you can about flash powder before you mess with it. You want to know how to make it, handle it, ignite it. Read from multiple sources. Just as importantly you need the right mindset: You need to plan what you are going to do with it during each step. This sounds a lot like the steps above but it is important enough to be worth repeating.
If the above helps you all in your hobbying. Feel free to copy it if you want to post it elsewhere, I just want to make a dangerous but rewarding hobby just a little safer.