26 replies to this topic

[digger]

I know this has probably been covered in the past, however I think it may deserve a new topic.

I feel it is fairly straight forward to make the standard colours (red, greens, orange, yellow, glitters, etc). However I would like to get a few nice blues and purples under my belt.

I have tried a couple of AP blues and purples that are good, however I would like to have some non AP/Chlorate blues in my notes as this would suit my priming system (bp + 7% silicon)

So to the question. Has anyone got any good tried blue / purple perchlorate based formula they are willing to share?

[seymour]

My KP Purple

Potassium perchlorate 61%
Strontium carbonate 12
Parlon 9
Magnalium 6
Copper benzoate 5
Hexamine 5
Copper (II) oxide 2

My Blues

#1 #2
Potassium perchlorate 50% 51 parts
Parlon 20 20
Copper (II) oxide --- 18
Dextrin 9 9
Copper dust 16 ---
Copper benzoate 5 5

I'm afraid I have no photographs or videos of these burning. The purple burns quite fast, a bit faster than Veline red, and is on the redder end of purple. The blues burn quite slowly, as one would expect from a high fuel, organic, Potassium perchlorate mix.

Neither of the compositions compare to AP compositions, but are better than many compositions out there, in my opinion anyway.

Edited by seymour, 28 July 2008 - 11:09 AM.

[digger]

My KP Purple

Potassium perchlorate 61%
Strontium carbonate 12
Parlon 9
Magnalium 6
Copper benzoate 5
Hexamine 5
Copper (II) oxide 2

My Blues

#1 #2
Potassium perchlorate 50% 51 parts
Parlon 20 20
Copper (II) oxide --- 18
Dextrin 9 9
Copper dust 16 ---
Copper benzoate 5 5

I'm afraid I have no photographs or videos of these burning. The purple burns quite fast, a bit faster than Veline red, and is on the redder end of purple. The blues burn quite slowly, as one would expect from a high fuel, organic, Potassium perchlorate mix.

Neither of the compositions compare to AP compositions, but are better than many compositions out there, in my opinion anyway.

OK I will make up a 10 gram batch of each tonight to test them.

On a side note I tried a blue with hexamine in it last night, not bad could be better.

Edited by digger, 28 July 2008 - 01:05 PM.

[seymour]

What was the formula?

[digger]

What was the formula?

Here it is, I know it does not conform to the question that I asked though

Baechle System 5: Blue

Potassium Perchlorate 40
Ammonium Perchlorate 30
Copper(II) Carbonate 14
Red Gum 7
Hexamine 6
Dextrin 4

D

[dr thrust]

whos baechle then? ive never seen his work before has he got any more formulas?

Edited by chris m, 28 July 2008 - 10:50 PM.

[Mumbles]

His name is Joel Baechle. He wrote a book called "Pyrocolor Harmony, a designer's guide". Lots of formulas, and some design tips I believe. It was part of a seminar he gave at the PGI a couple times. Several "systems" of colors from what I've heard. I don't have the book, but from what I've heard is the formulas can be hit or miss at times. Some weird hard to obtain chemicals in some of the formulas. It's where Robert Veline's star system got published. Besides the book, I've never heard of the guy though.

[digger]

My KP Purple

Potassium perchlorate 61%
Strontium carbonate 12
Parlon 9
Magnalium 6
Copper benzoate 5
Hexamine 5
Copper (II) oxide 2

My Blues

#1 #2
Potassium perchlorate 50% 51 parts
Parlon 20 20
Copper (II) oxide --- 18
Dextrin 9 9
Copper dust 16 ---
Copper benzoate 5 5

I'm afraid I have no photographs or videos of these burning. The purple burns quite fast, a bit faster than Veline red, and is on the redder end of purple. The blues burn quite slowly, as one would expect from a high fuel, organic, Potassium perchlorate mix.

Neither of the compositions compare to AP compositions, but are better than many compositions out there, in my opinion anyway.

Ok I have given them a go now, I like both of them. I did not get to see the blue from a distance, but the misses did and she said it was one of the best blues to date (light blue). But I see what you mean about it being a slow burner especially when compared to AP blues.

I assume that you use acetone as the binder on the purple. I may add some red gum and give that a go so I can bind it with alcohol.

Well keep em coming anyone else got any good ones?

[seymour]

Ok I have given them a go now, I like both of them. I did not get to see the blue from a distance, but the misses did and she said it was one of the best blues to date (light blue). But I see what you mean about it being a slow burner especially when compared to AP blues.

I assume that you use acetone as the binder on the purple. I may add some red gum and give that a go so I can bind it with alcohol.

Well keep em coming anyone else got any good ones?

Yeah, the elusive royal blue star... I did indeed bind the purple with parlon. I find that parlon is one of the better binders, in my opinion anyway. It rolls so nicely, and it's nice to know that it is playing two roles.

It seems somewhat ironic that it burns slower than AP blues, but you are right. Perhaps you might want to change your prime to Sodium nitrate BP + silicon so you can use AP blue.. and red.. and purple.. and green.. and...

[digger]

Yeah, the elusive royal blue star... I did indeed bind the purple with parlon. I find that parlon is one of the better binders, in my opinion anyway. It rolls so nicely, and it's nice to know that it is playing two roles.

It seems somewhat ironic that it burns slower than AP blues, but you are right. Perhaps you might want to change your prime to Sodium nitrate BP + silicon so you can use AP blue.. and red.. and purple.. and green.. and...

I agree the elusive royal blue star! I do use a KP based prime for AP stars, but at the moment I do not have a cheep enough supply of AP to switch over to it.

On the other hand have you tried any lactose fueled chlorate blues?

Edited by digger, 31 July 2008 - 11:31 AM.

[Bonny]

I agree the elusive royal blue star! I do use a KP based prime for AP stars, but at the moment I do not have a cheep enough supply of AP to switch over to it.

On the other hand have you tried any lactose fueled chlorate blues?

I haven't ever tried lactose blues, but I tried this one from first page of the star formula thread,

blue star:

potassiumchlorate 50%
coppersulfate 25%
sugar 25%

The comp burned with a nice blue IIRC, but when I made stars they absorbed moisture like crazy and turned to mush. Maybe using lactose would help render it LESS hygroscopic.

[digger]

I haven't ever tried lactose blues, but I tried this one from first page of the star formula thread,

blue star:

potassiumchlorate 50%
coppersulfate 25%
sugar 25%

The comp burned with a nice blue IIRC, but when I made stars they absorbed moisture like crazy and turned to mush. Maybe using lactose would help render it LESS hygroscopic.

Maybe, however I don't use copper sulphate in compositions. I assume there is a chance of double decomposition reaction in this formula producing copper chlorate (nasty stuff IIRC).

[Bonny]

Maybe, however I don't use copper sulphate in compositions. I assume there is a chance of double decomposition reaction in this formula producing copper chlorate (nasty stuff IIRC).

Good plan, I was still very new at pyro when I made that one, and I don't currently use any chlorates.

[pyrotrev]

I agree the elusive royal blue star! I do use a KP based prime for AP stars, but at the moment I do not have a cheep enough supply of AP to switch over to it.

On the other hand have you tried any lactose fueled chlorate blues?

I've tried sugar fuelled blues, and although they burn fine on the ground, I always think they look a bit dull in the sky - nice deep blue though. The only royal blue stars I've ever seen are in bombettes - it seems it's limited to small stars, but the colour is great. I believe it's a formula without an organic fuel, being based on KP, CuO, sulphur and HCB (yuk), I'll see if I can dig it out if people don't mind a bit of cancer.

Edited by pyrotrev, 31 July 2008 - 05:21 PM.

[digger]

I've tried sugar fuelled blues, and although they burn fine on the ground, I always think they look a bit dull in the sky - nice deep blue though. The only royal blue stars I've evrr seen are in bombettes - it seems it's limited to small stars, but the colour is great. I believe it's a formula without an organic fuel, being based on KP, CuO sulphur and HCB (yuk), I'll see if I can dig it out if anyone is looking for a bit of cancer.

I think I know the formula that you mean. I believe it is only good for stars up to 4mm, any larger and the ash hinders the burn.

I this it?

Potassium Perchlorate 39
Copper(II) Oxide, black 37
Sulfur 15
Hexachlorobenzene 6.5
Red Gum 2.5