How to Make Super Fine Powdered Magnesium or Aluminium Powder (1 Micron)

by Dornier335A

48K3410

Intro: How to Make Super Fine Powdered Magnesium or Aluminium Powder (1 Micron)

This is my method of making super fine metal powders for flash powder and other pyrotechnics. It's a very quick method and all you need is a file, a steel plate, and a flat steel bar. Flash powder made with this fine magnesium powder is extremely powerful. This method is very effective if you want small quantities but less effective when you need larger amounts.
You can clearly see the results in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0-itXJVvZI

Here is an example on flash powder made with sodium nitrate and magnesium milled to 1 micron:

Note: Fine powdered magnesium is extremely flammable and will form explosive mixtures with nitrates, chlorates, perchlorates, permanganates, sulfates, oxides, and carbonates. I am not responsible for anything you will do with this method!

8 Comments

arkatufus 6 years ago

Can anyone describe the steps? The video isn't available anymore.

KristianG 9 years ago

Is it illegal til have magnesium powder? You Can order 100 g fine magnesium powder on EBAY for about 10 euro.

AdamR49 8 years ago

People eat magnesium powder as some sort of "health" benefit. It's also the 11th most abundant element by mass in the Human Body.

I doubt it's illegal, and, in the persuit of knowledge, who cares if it's not.

nuclear12321 11 years ago

Would this kind of powdered magnesium be useful for building a rocket with a 65/35 mixture of potassium nitrate and magnesium or will it be too explosive?

Dornier335A 11 years ago

No, it would just explode. You need a binder to make a rocket fuel.

ostomesto 12 years ago

where could i find a steel bar and plate like you have. i really need one!!

rimar2000 12 years ago

Thanks for sharing.

Does the steel must be really hard? I guess mild steel, 1010 for example, will be partially mixed with the powder.

Dornier335A 12 years ago

Yes the harder the steel plate the better. The powder will stick to the surface and you will have to scrape it off with a razor blade. If the plate is very soft you will get steel powder too.