3 replies to this topic

[Rip Rap]

Hi everyone. Could one of you pyro's please answer a question for me-
I am considering using a star composition that contains Potassium Nitrate, Charcoal, Antimony, sulpher, dextrin & magnalium (dampened with 60/30 water/alcohol).
I am aware that magnesium must be protected when a water based binder is used, but -
does magnalium require any coating or protection from the Potassium Nitrate when dampened with water?
I know magnalium requires protection from Ammonium Perchlorate, but I have not been able to get a definitive answer, as to whether it requires a coating when in contact with KNO3, when water is used to dampen.
Thanks for any advice you can give.

[BigG]

No, Magnelium does not generally requires protection, although most users prefer 50/50 water/alcohol, or even larger alcohol percentage.

[Rip Rap]

Hi BigG,
thanks for the reply. I am pleased that the magnalium requires no coating. A 50/50 water/alcohol mix to dampen - is this OK to use when the only binder is dextrin? In other words, will the dextrin have access to enough water to dissolve properly?

[BigG]

Just about.