10 replies to this topic

[pyrotechnist]

I bought a small amount of course 40 mesh Magnesium and to the life of me I cannot grind it one bit, either in a coffee mill or by hand. I am wondering if anyone knows where I can buy Magnesium powder in 100 or more mesh range? I never knew how hard it would be to grind the dam thing.

[CCH Concepts]

have you tried leaving it in a ball mill over night (as long as no oxydizer has been used in the mill)

[BrightStar]

Careful chaps... Freshly milled or ground magnesium is pyrophoric and likely to ignite in your face when you open the jar.

The problem with finding fine Mg powder is that it tends to oxidise over time when stored, so you usually end up with a good percentage of MgO if the source is unkown. Fine magnallium makes a good substitute in most formulae.

[pyrotechnist]

The only problem with Magnalium in my case is the fact that it leaves aluminium behind as a by product of the sulphate or carbonate reaction though its usable and workable it just requires a small edition of perc to help clean it up a little. Magnesium seems the more likely choice to me for a cleaner more steady flame.

[CCH Concepts]

does anyone know of a safe process of milling Mg.

also can it be stored in oil and then rinced and dried before use?

[Creepin_pyro]

This combined with Lloyd's accident has put me off ever trying to mill Mg - seems like more danger than its worth.

http://www.pyrosocie...lling-accident/

[BrightStar]

Magnesium seems the more likely choice to me for a cleaner more steady flame.

Most ordinary lab suppliers don't go finer than about 100 microns. Keten claims to do freshly milled Mg in a range of sizes from 60 mesh to 240 mesh to dust (look up his feedback on here first though). Svenska Kemi seem to do fine stuff passivated with Paraffin though the mesh size is unspecified...

Edited by BrightStar, 03 July 2010 - 01:52 PM.

[CCH Concepts]

well that answers that question. i was woundering about fine Ti would that be an alternative?

[seymour]

well that answers that question. i was woundering about fine Ti would that be an alternative?

An alternative for coloured stars?

I can see pretty significant flame pollution issues...

I would be interested in the result though.

[CCH Concepts]

well from what i can see Ti burns in a similar spectrum to Mg and appears to be similarly reactive, i have heard of Ti/KClO4 flash (but was warned it was to friction sensitive) so would this work with in a star? could be interesting if it does with varying mesh's.

[pyrotrev]

well from what i can see Ti burns in a similar spectrum to Mg and appears to be similarly reactive, i have heard of Ti/KClO4 flash (but was warned it was to friction sensitive) so would this work with in a star? could be interesting if it does with varying mesh's.

Nooooo, they're quite different . Titanium vapourises at something like 3 times the temperature of Mg, hence will always tend to make sparks rather than burn to enhance a flame. Also, MgO (emits bright white light) is easily reduced to MgCl (colourless) in the flame, Ti less so I would guess. Keep Ti for adding spark trails for Mg/MgAl fuelled stars I think