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Crackling Stars


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#46 alany

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Posted 12 March 2004 - 09:10 AM

I don't 'spose there is a crackle comp without magnalium?

I've got everything else required, just no magnalium.

#47 BigG

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Posted 12 March 2004 - 09:25 AM

Not that I'm aware of. Of course, the other materials are very easy to get.

#48 alany

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Posted 13 March 2004 - 03:05 AM

Bismuth Trioxide wasn't *that* easy, but yep, everything else can be purchased at a ceramics supplier.

#49 BigG

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Posted 13 March 2004 - 08:21 AM

Bismuth Trioxide wasn't *that* easy, but yep, everything else can be purchased at a ceramics supplier.

I agree, but lead Trioxide is....

#50 alany

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Posted 13 March 2004 - 08:53 AM

Yeah, but I wanted to avoid using red lead. I'll probably use it eventually, it is a *lot* cheaper.

#51 bobconan

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Posted 04 May 2004 - 09:12 PM

So do any of these work? Dfk says they explode, but in open air. Would it be different while in the pressure and heat of a fountain? Did anyone else achieve success with theirs and did anyone use Bismuth Trioxide? I got a fountain called sydney harbor bridge and it wasnt great but at the end there were like 5 crackling fountains. people were very impressed. I want to remake it myself but with a better beginning half.

Edited by bobconan, 04 May 2004 - 09:13 PM.

I like blue

#52 Rip Rap

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Posted 05 May 2004 - 10:22 AM

Hi bobconan,
I have used the Bismuth Trioxide composition (with copper II oxide, magnalium, bound with NC).
I made 2 batches of dragons eggs using this comp. The only thing that I changed was the mesh size of the magnalium. The first batch was with #150 mesh, the second was made using #300 mesh.
Both need quite a bit of heat to set off, but I found that the second batch (ie finer magnalium) had a more violent reaction. Both batches exploded with a loud "crack", but a smaller piece of the second comp could be used for a comparible "bang"!
If you use this comp - please treat with respect & only make a small batch. A 1mm square of this stuff makes an ear ringing bang!
For use in a fountain - remember to gently press - not ram - the comp into a tube. Also, use a wide nozzle for a broad spray effect. A nozzle is needed to eject the dragons eggs out of the tube. They heat up in the hot exhaust gases & flame & explode outside the tube. I know from experience, that if no nozzle is used - ie an open ended tube, a good majority of the "stars" are not ejected & explode inside the tube. Not the desired effect & also "possibly" dangerous! :blink:
I use a large diameter nozzle in these fountains, just to decrease the chance of the nozzle clogging up, leading to a lot of dragons eggs exploding in a confined space - not a good idea :o
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#53 Creepin_pyro

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Posted 11 May 2004 - 11:23 AM

I have some "Lead Oxide". Tis a fine, free flowing, bright red powder. Is this the same as Lead Trioxide?, or can it be used in the same way?.

Quote: "I use a large diameter nozzle in these fountains, just to decrease the chance of the nozzle clogging up, leading to a lot of dragons eggs exploding in a confined space - not a good idea"

I once made a tourbillion with about 5 dragon eggs at the end, just lightly pressed in, to see if they would breach the casing, or do nothing (some eggs seem to turn lame when confined) The result was strange - casing intact (which I don't understand), but I got a nice bassy "phloompf" and no crackle.

Also, un-related (sorry) I have some rather suspect metals. Some 90/10 Magnesium/Aluminium alloy, some silicon powder, and some weird Magnesium granules. They look like granules/small turnings, about 0.5mm. The granules have a distinct blue/gray colour. I've seen surface oxidised Magnesium, but never with a blue tinge. They burn with the typical pure white flame, but with added "floompfh" farting noises. Any thoughts on the usefullness of these materials?

Edited by Creepin_pyro, 11 May 2004 - 11:30 AM.


#54 BurlHorse

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Posted 11 May 2004 - 10:52 PM

Hmmm, well The Blue White Metal and the effect you describe sounds like that may not be mag at all but Large Granular Ti as it sizzles, Foomphs, farts etc when burning. And the Granular stuff Often has a bluing probably from the way it was pulverized, I don't know, Send me a sample, or post a picture and we'll see....

As to the "Free Flowing Red Powder, take not for granted the very toxic nature of this seemingly innoccuos pretty powder, it could be a couple of different types of "Red Lead" and I personally would not use it for anything if I did not know whence it came from and it's purity. Whille the Lead is toxic enough, sometimes other Soluble metals make their way into these products, such as Cadmium, Nickel, Arsenic Etc, Please be Careful and use full safety gear BEFORE opening the Container of Red Lead. The Famed Liegonaires disease is now being linked to Lead/Nickel compounds.....Not a nice way to go. :blink: :huh: :unsure:

Regards,

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#55 Creepin_pyro

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Posted 12 May 2004 - 08:30 AM

Don't worry, I'm in no hurry to open my red lead - in fact it is now safely locked away with various other nasties. I'm just unsure wether it is worth keeping for future use, or needs disposing of properly.

As for the blue granules, I'm pretty sure they're not Mangesium as I've seen lots of different forms of Mg burn, but never with such amusing noises. Will try to get a nice hi-res picture online.

#56 bobconan

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Posted 12 May 2004 - 04:41 PM

I burry my stuff about 3 feet down in a mason jar in a coffee can
I like blue

#57 chim-chim

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Posted 12 May 2004 - 05:25 PM

I burry my stuff about 3 feet down in a mason jar in a coffee can

That might be OK for oxidisers and organic fuels and such things that will eventually 'return to nature' as it were. But unknown lead compounds? That's never going to become any thing eco-friendly, I think as a group we should attentive to MSDS disposal recommendations. If not for the planet, for the hobby. If pyrotechnics gets associated with hazardous waste sights....you think you have trouble getting chemicals in the U.K. now. :(
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#58 Phoenix

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Posted 12 May 2004 - 05:50 PM

I agree with chim-chim on that.

An idea: The rubbish dump where I do a lot of my shopping has a bin for old batteries. Perhaps if you put your lead compound in a clearly marked container and popped it in such a bin it could be safely recycled along with the lead from the batteries. I have a bag of mostly lead oxide (I think) that I skimmed off the lead when I cast my mill media, which I was going to do the same with next time I go to the dump.

#59 bobconan

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Posted 15 June 2004 - 10:42 PM

Will the dragons eggs work for stars in a shell? I want multiple crackles.
I like blue

#60 dfk

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Posted 17 June 2004 - 08:45 PM

yes, not for multiple crackles though.

For that you'll need crackling stars. Any star comp can be used for a base but for a dark, 'just' crackle you can use a charcoal streamer star with x% of cracker granuals.

This is what I've been working on recently. Ive found you need a high charcoal content or the comp burns too quick for the granuals to get up to ignition temp. I found shimizu's "tigertail" to be even a little too fast and am trying a chem ratio close to shimizu's "willow" with some added 325 mesh Al. Right now I've only star gun tested these as well as some 1" comets so I can't really tell you how they look in a shell yet.

Edited by dfk, 18 June 2004 - 06:02 AM.

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