4 replies to this topic

[Victor]

inflammation will produce green, red, blue , etc. What are the corresponding elements in fireworks/pyro?

[Wyvern]

Err is this a test? sorry i dont get the point of this post, there is a section for pyrotechnic formulae where there are threads relevant to this. (not trying to be a Moderator but just like the forum tidy )

[Steve]

A quick review of the topic:
Green:
Barium ions in the gas phase will emit green light and so will boron, however Barium is the principle colourant in fireworks. Generally Barium Chlorate gives the best greens, but this is not a good chemical to make up into compositions for various reasons, notably sensitivity. Barium Nitrate is preferred nowadays. Soluble Barium compounds are Toxic.

Red:
Strontium and Lithium gas phase ions will emit red light, with Strontium being the principle in fireworks. Strontium nitrate and Carbonate are used, but the nitrate is finding itself slip into disuse because it is hygroscopic (adsorbs water from the air) and so can be a pain to use (I remember on the tour of Rev Lancasters factory they were drying out Strontium nitrate (I think) in a oven so it could be used). Lithium carbonate is used more for indoor pyrotechnics.

Blue is strongly in the domain of Copper gas phase ions. Primarily Copper oxide, Carbonate and oxychloride are used in fireworks, I have a personal preference for the oxide because it is far more dense and so easier to handle. In olden times Paris green, a toxic copper compound was used to give the best blues, but this is no longer used/available due to it's toxicity

Yellow is Sodium gas phase ions. You could use Sodium Chloride, but you have issues of hygrosopicity and so commonly cryolite is used for yellows, although this material is quite Toxic.

Orange is an unexpected Calcium gas phase ions, because we were all told and saw that calcium was brick red in the flame test, but likewise copper is blue and not green, Calcium comes out orange and not red. I am not too hot on my Calcium compositions, but I believe it is used in the form of Calcium Sulphate, but this is unreliable information.

Purple is a matter of balancing red and blue flame colourants.

Black is a matter of screwing up your composition so the damn think won't light.

[Victor]

Can I post it to our English and Chinese website as the data?

[Steve]

That's fine with me. Might want to check the grammer etc, I didn't proof read it.