26 replies to this topic

[pyrotrev]

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

Yeah, that looks like it, originally came from China. Interesting idea, form a hot solid cinder and get CuCl vapour to escape out through the pores I believe. If it's what was in the cakes we fired on Sunday night though it sure does work. I tried it with parlon instead of HCB and it was a bit underwhelming.

[digger]

Yeah, that looks like it, originally came from China. Interesting idea, form a hot solid cinder and get CuCl vapour to escape out through the pores I believe. If it's what was in the cakes we fired on Sunday night though it sure does work. I tried it with parlon instead of HCB and it was a bit underwhelming.

Do you think it would work with hexachloroethane instead? as this is not banned and the chlorine content is over 90%.

[pyrotrev]

Maybe .... worth a try certainly. Someone said that they reckoned the volatility of the HCB was something to do with it working better than other chlorine donors.

[digger]

Maybe .... worth a try certainly. Someone said that they reckoned the volatility of the HCB was something to do with it working better than other chlorine donors.

Interesting, hexachlorethane is even more volatile. I suppose Lindane would be another chemical worth trying to see if it produces similar effects.

[Creepin_pyro]

Can't find the thread at the moment, but we have been through this before...

Various HCB replacements have already been tried, with little success, don't remember Lindane being mentioned though.

I for one would love to be able to replicate the effect.

[seymour]

I have not tried this one in the air but tests on the ground look promising, the burnrate certainly is superior to the last one I posted, and the colour looks comparable if not better.

Potassium perchlorate 52%
Copper (II) oxide 17
Parlon 14
Sulfur 8
Dextrin 5
Charcoal 4

As with all mixtures containing KP and S it is likely to be more sensitive than expected. Perchlorate/Sulfur mixes are indeed almost as sensitive as Chlorate/Sulfur but without the chance of ClO2 production, which is what makes Chlorate/Sulfur comps sometimes ignite "spontaneously".

All chemicals were -120#

[BlackMesa]

Sorry if theres too many like this already but:

Blue

Potassium perchlorate= 65
Black copper oxide= 14
Parlon= 9
Red gum= 7
Dextrin= 5

makes a nice one - also good as it doesnt have any uncommon or farfetched chemicals. Enjoy:)

[digger]

Sorry if theres too many like this already but:

Blue

Potassium perchlorate= 65
Black copper oxide= 14
Parlon= 9
Red gum= 7
Dextrin= 5

makes a nice one - also good as it doesnt have any uncommon or farfetched chemicals. Enjoy:)

Yep I am aware of that formula which is Conkling KP #1. Just a quick note if it is not your personal formula always reference the designer.

The formula is OK, there are far better blues to be had though.

[BlackMesa]

Yep I am aware of that formula which is Conkling KP #1. Just a quick note if it is not your personal formula always reference the designer.

The formula is OK, there are far better blues to be had though.

Yeah sorry, wasnt laying claim to it just saw it somewhere thought it might be usefull


Does anyone have any stars formulae that dont need perc (perhaps with BP or KNO3?) as i have no KClO4 and i cant find a good supplier in the UK.

got alot of CuO around the place so any blue formulae welcome:) (noob Q: what elements can create a pink/purple look to the star?)

[seymour]

Because purple light is on the border of UV it is unpractical to use purple emitters, so we use a mix of copper and strontium to trick the eye. Pink is usually just a washed out red (strontium) star, maybe with a few other reddish emitters, calcium for example.

There are plenty of Potassium nitrate stars, almost all glitters and charcoal streamers along with many silver streamers, white, and zinc stars. I suspect though, that you mean blue stars, in which case I have never found, or heard of anything close to a decent KNO3 Blue. While it is possible to get to the temperatures needed for blue light to be emitted from a Potassium nitrate composition, doing so would probably require a metallic fuel which washes out the fairly weak blue. The inclusion of Chlorine donors which are very poor fuels with nitrates would just make things worse.

Why not get KP from Inoxia? Steve won't bite...

[BlackMesa]

Because purple light is on the border of UV it is unpractical to use purple emitters, so we use a mix of copper and strontium to trick the eye. Pink is usually just a washed out red (strontium) star, maybe with a few other reddish emitters, calcium for example.

There are plenty of Potassium nitrate stars, almost all glitters and charcoal streamers along with many silver streamers, white, and zinc stars. I suspect though, that you mean blue stars, in which case I have never found, or heard of anything close to a decent KNO3 Blue. While it is possible to get to the temperatures needed for blue light to be emitted from a Potassium nitrate composition, doing so would probably require a metallic fuel which washes out the fairly weak blue. The inclusion of Chlorine donors which are very poor fuels with nitrates would just make things worse.

Why not get KP from Inoxia? Steve won't bite...

I completed my inoxia registration now so i can get my KClO4 - so, with some black coppe oxide and some strontium carbonate from there i should be able to find some pink star formulas with these?

I dont know much about this "parlon" but i can see that its for sale from inoxia and would like to try some for stars ect. Little bit worried about possible toxicity of this... what precautions should i take and could it mean more toxic fumes?

[portfire]

I dont know much about this "parlon" but i can see that its for sale from inoxia and would like to try some for stars ect. Little bit worried about possible toxicity of this... what precautions should i take and could it mean more toxic fumes?

Parlon is one of the most widely used Chlorine donors in color comps. I wouldn't worry too much about It's toxicity, just make use of your PPE (which you should be doing already). I'd also order some 'Red Gum' as at alot of color comps call for it, either as a fuel or binding agent.