20 replies to this topic

[pyrotechnist]

When coating steel with linseed oil do you need to cook the oil and then dump the steel in and mix until evaporated or do it cold and just mix until its all coated and then remove? when i tried it i just made it into a fountain strait away.

[phildunford]

I've seen two methods described.

1) Mix filings with oil, spread out and leave to evaporate (takes a long time).

2) Put the mixture in an iron pan and heat gently with stiring.

I've also seen the suggestion that you should heat until carbonised...

All are pretty messy/ smelly!

I protect my filings with candle wax. Mix powedered wax with filings, heat gently until coated and spead out to set. Rub though a coarse sieve to get rid of clumps.

Has to be said that no method is 100% and most fireworks made with iron filings tend to deteriorate after a couple of years (much sooner if badly coated).

[pyrotechnist]

What about the storage of iron on its own within an airtight container is there any need to coat it then? I find that steel wool never seems to rust, I have a chunk of it in my garage were the dryer is always on and it has stayed the same for months within the humid conditions.

Would using iron or steel as is without coating and using it within a firework in 2 or 3 days be a more convenient option than coating? I know iron can react with the Nitrate making it rust but thought this would occur over a period of weeks.

I remember trying the heat method with iron a few years back and it all turned into one large clump of brown junk that had no uses.

Edited by pyrotechnist, 13 September 2008 - 09:19 AM.

[cooperman435]

Well the cast iron powder I have stored is in 1kg zip lock bags in a very large plastic clip top tub, it is a s fresh as the day I bought it and no signs of rust or discolouration at all.

[pyrotechnist]

Ahh I actualy got some Iron from you recently Cooperman and some of your storage containers. Got it locked away in a 500ml container do you think this will be enough to stop rust?

[cooperman435]

Yeah I left some out unexposed to see what the result was and it took a while anyway to react though once it started it didn't stop.