6 replies to this topic

[Vladimir]

Hi

I bought hundred blanks e-matches. I was wondering if I could use KClO4 instead of KClO3 with antimony trisulfide.

Someone tryed if it works ?

[vaslop2005]

now that all does depend on a lot of variables, like the heat generated by the filament and for how long, the composition you use, how fast you want your ematch to take fire... etc.

Be cautious as antimony trisulfide comps have been known to light from small amounts of static, even with nitrates. I make my own ematches and have never had a problem with plain old BP with some ~100# magnalium to make some sparks.

I guess the only option is to do some small scale tests, and use common sense.

[digger]

I assume you are talking about commercial blanks. In which case you will probably need a chlorate comp as the ignition energy is low with this type of match.

[Vladimir]

Yes, I'm talking about #50g e-match heads, they really don't make a lot of heat. Well, I will make some KClO3..

[BrightStar]

Hi Vladimir, welcome to the forum. This was covered in depth in a recent thread - it's always worth a quick search if in doubt:

http://www.pyrosocie...lf-dip-igniters

In brief, the #50 guage heads need a chlorate prime carefully prepared.

[Arthur Brown]

For dipping igniters you need so little comp that the cost of the chlorate will be minimal. 1ml of comp may be enough to do all the hundred blanks with prime comp. After that you may want to put a second coat of something less sensitive. If you change from a chlorate comp to a sulphur comp then please put a layer of clean NC lacquer to prevent compatibility issues.

[Vladimir]

Thanks for the link BrightStar.

According to leosedf, KClO4/antimony trisulfide mix works, but I don't want to make 20 or 30 e-matches and realise that they finally don't work.

I have some KClO3 but I made it with KNO3/NaClO3 and I suspect that it is contaminated with some NaNO3. What could be the best way ?