114 replies to this topic

[adamw]

Oh sorry about that...

Was a while back now... but I remember they needed a decent prime. I think I have used them all up now. I may have to make some more.

The chemcials are basic and the formula is simple so I recommend to anyone new to strobes to give it a try.

[chim-chim]

Oh sorry about that...

Was a while back now... but I remember they needed a decent prime. I think I have used them all up now. I may have to make some more.

The chemcials are basic and the formula is simple so I recommend to anyone new to strobes to give it a try.

Just kidding Adam,

Tried mine last night, lit easily with visco inserted well drying and BP slurry applied and dried after.
They started well, but the flashes became faster and less distict, possibly because the fuse went down through the comp. Still very impressive, very bright, good burn time and easy to make. Remember due caution with Barium Salts though, there's a full thread to read here on the forum. I second Adam's recommendation.
I have more dry poweder to try, I'll let you all know if the fuse issue is it.

[skipjack]

You never let us know so I had to try myself,
this formula correct?

from Bleser[13], page 22. Listed as "formulation #26; white strobe"
Barium nitrate....................................51
Sulfur............................................19
Magnalium, 100 Mesh...............................18
Potassium nitrate.................................7
Dextrin...........................................5

unfortunately i dont have any magnalium available right now.
has anyone ever tried this formula with magnesium in substitution to the magnalium?

[BigG]

unfortunately i dont have any magnalium available right now.
has anyone ever tried this formula with magnesium in substitution to the magnalium?

Skipjack - This will probably not work with Magnesium. Most strobes relay on Magnelium as is burns with a vibrating flame. I believe it is possible to get a strobe using magnesium and sulphates, but this is of the top of my head only. If I remember correctly, Simizu wrote about it under "positive and negative burn reaction" topic.

[paul]

It does not work right with 50? magnesium. Magnalium itself burns a bit oscilliating so the effect with magnesium is more of a fast burning green mixture.

[alany]

Here are some Mg strobes, unfortunately they all need AP:

Shimizu AP Green Twinkler

60 Ammonium Perchlorate
23 Magnesium (ellipsodial, 40-60 mesh)
17 Barium Sulfate
5 Potassium Dichromate

Shimizu AP Orange Twinkler

60 Ammonium Perchlorate
30 Magnesium (ellipsodial, 40-60 mesh)
10 Calcium Sulfate
5 Potassium Dichromate

Shimizu AP Red Twinkler

50 Ammonium Perchlorate
30 Magnesium (ellipsoidal, 40-60 mesh)
20 Strontium Sulfate
5 Potassium Dichromate

Shimizu's Twinkler Prime

74 Potassium Perchlorate
12 Red Gum
6 Charcoal (airfloat)
5 Potassium Dichromate
3 Aluminium (flake, 100-325 mesh)


Plaster Strobe (Orange)

60 Ammonium Perchlorate
30 Magnesium (ellipsoidal, 40-60 mesh)
10 Plaster of Paris
5 Potassium Dichromate


Meinhart Green

46 Ammonium Perchlorate
18 Magnesium (100-325 mesh)
18 Barium Sulfate
10 Barium Carbonate
5 PVC
3 Parlon
2 Potassium Dichromate

Meinhart Orange

60 Ammonium Perchlorate
24 Magnesium (100-325 mesh)
13 Calcium Sulfate
8 Calcium Carbonate
5 Potassium Dichromate
4 Parlon
1 PVC

Meinhart Red

50 Ammonium Perchlorate
18 Magnesium (100-325 mesh)
16 Strontium Sulfate
10 Strontium Carbonate
5 PVC
3 Parlon
2 Potassium Dichromate

Meinhart Yellow

50 Ammonium Perchlorate
25 Magnesium (50-100 mesh)
13 Sodium Sulfate
8 Barium Carbonate
5 Potassium Dichromate
4 PVC

Bleser #27 (Red)

48 Ammonium Perchlorate
28 Magnesium (100-325 mesh)
19 Strontium Sulfate
5 Potassium Dichromate

[skipjack]

... I believe it is possible to get a strobe using magnesium and sulphates, but this is of the top of my head only.

you were right - i found 2 formulas on the net the other day and thought i'd give it a try:

Hall #1
Bariumnitrate 26
Aluminum, fine flake 6
Magnesium 17
Sulfur 51

Hall #2
Bariumnitrate 27
Magnesium 18
Sulfur 55

i can't recommend them though.
the composition does "go on and off" but the intervals are much too long.
useless in my opinion.

better get myself some magnalium

[adamw]

That is better than strobing too fast. If I were you I'd try tweaking them to get a faster burn rate.

[skipjack]

i got my magnalium meanwhile and tried the "Bleser[13], page 22. Listed as "formulation #26; white strobe" ...

i made different sizes of stars ranging from 5mm to 12mm

the strange thing about it - no matter what size - they always blink just 2 times.
the bigger the star is, the longer it flickers in the beginning, always ending its burn with 2 blinks.

here is a VIDEO of a 12mm-star tested in a stargun. the second one is a cracklingstar-test.

has anyone advice on how to achive more "blinks"?
thanks!
Skip

[BigG]

i got my magnalium meanwhile and tried the "Bleser[13], page 22. Listed as "formulation #26; white strobe" ...

i made different sizes of stars ranging from 5mm to 12mm

the strange thing about it - no matter what size - they always blink just 2 times.
the bigger the star is, the longer it flickers in the beginning, always ending its burn with 2 blinks. 

here is a VIDEO of a 12mm-star tested in a stargun. the second one is a cracklingstar-test.

has anyone advice on how to achive more "blinks"?
thanks!
Skip

Try it on friday - usually it blinks extra on friday. No really, strobing is different every day.

[adamw]

I find that encouraging it helps. Along the lines of 'Come on strobey strobey, you can do it... one more blink!"

What the hell are you on G?

[skipjack]

wellllll ... thank god newyearseve is on a friday this year!!

any other things i can do about it, apart from carrying a rabbit's paw in my pocket??

[alany]

Try altering the sulfur/metal ratio.

[Creepin_pyro]

How about using different sized Magnalium?

I'm trying to get some Strontium Sulphate. Managed to find some Celestite, with the following analysis:

Sr S04 - 95.2%
Ba S04 - 1.91%
Ca C03 - 3.36%
Mg C03 - 0.07%
SI 02 - 0.47%
Sr C03 - 2.63%

How does this purity look? Should I think about refining it?

[skipjack]

finally got to lift my 1,5"-white-strobe-ballshell last sunday.
i was being lazy using a commercial rocketmotor for the lift though.

anyway... i was quite happy with the result.

@ alany: i'll try your advice, altering the sulfur/metal ratio in my next white-strobe-composition. hopefully i get more blinking then

heres the VIDEO