Flash Powder consists of a Oxidizer and a metal powder. It burns so fast it seems to "flash" out of exsistence. Good quality flash doesnt even have to be fully confined in a tube for it to tear it to shreds. The finer the powder the faster it will burn.(As with any powder.)

 

       Other metals will be more reactive than others. For example Magnesium(*Mg) is a more reactive metal than Aluminum(Al),so therefore if Mg was to be used in flash it would be more powerful,yet more sensitive.

 

     Here are some Oxidizers that are useful in flash:

 

                       Potassium Chlorate
                       Potassium Perchlorate

                       Potassium Permanganate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green Powder is basically Potassium Nitrate, Charcoal, and Sulfur (75/15/10) mixed together not balled milled at all. Of course it burns alot slower than regular BP would burn alone. Doesnt have much use really...good when made into a paste with Dextrin for Blackmatch.

 

 

 

 

Black Powder is one of the most useful comp. to have in pyro. Its essential,its used to prime stars,make fuse,lift charge,use in rocketry. The common formula for Black Powder is Potassium Nitrate(75%), Charcoal(15%), Sulfur(10%). For use as a lift charge Black Powder needs to be granulated using Dextrin(cooked corn starch).

 

        There are two common methods in making BP, one is by using a Ball Mill, the other is the CIA Precipitation Method. The most common way people do it is by using the Ball Mill.

 

A Ball Mill (basically a rock tumbler) is a machine that turns two drive shafts that a container sits on, inside the container are lead weights (because lead doesnt spark) that grind the chemicals into dust.

 

For good lead weights to use in your Ball Mill try to look for lead fishing weights, or .50cal shot.

 

 

 

Smoke Mix

 

Smoke mix is very fun to play around with and is also used as a rocket propellant. The common ratios for smoke mix are KNO3/Sugar (50/50) or (60/40). Most people use 60/40 for regular effects for smoke I tend to use 50/50 as it creates a thicker cloud of smoke, 60/40 ratio I use for rockets.

 

 

 

 

Torpedos were old fireworks that resembled two endcaps glued together with the composition inside.But were soon banned due to the majority of injurys.The ratio is Potassium Chlorate(50%)/Antimony Trisulfide(50%) and some gravel usually inside the endcaps.

 

 

 

A very useful composition in Homemade pyro which I use very much it can be found in many different types of consumer fireworks. Like Piccilo Petes,Whistling Petes,Whistling Chasers etc..

 

        Can be used in fountains,rockets,and salutes. Beware it is quite sensitive do NOT pound whistle mix into tubes,PRESS it into the tube firmly. When pressed into tubes it will make a ear shattering whistle but if a couple grams of composition is ignited by itself it will burn fast. Its made up of Potassium Perchlorate (70%),Sodium Benzonate(30%).

 

 

 

 

Thermite is a Incendiary. Burns at 3000 degrees Celsius if not more.When ignited its basically impossible to control. Do NOT try to put water on thermite while it is burning...it will not put it out it will instead cause a steam explosion,so please take great care while using Thermite. Thermite is made of usually Iron Oxide (70%)/Aluminum Powder(30%). I have had it burn through/melt through a metal cup so that should tell you how hot it burns.

 

 

 

Made out of Potassium Nitrate(60%)/Asorbic Acid(Vitamin C)(40%).Basically recrystallize it. It has a higher ignition temp than BP. Dont know too much about this comp.

 

Flash Powder

The most common chemicals used for high grade flash now-a-days are (70%)Potassium Perchlorate and (30%)600 Mesh Aluminum. Cardboard tubes fear it. Unlike its previous Chlorate compositions, this comp is less sensitive than the chlorates, and most who can purchase flash chems use 70/30 (Perchlorate). One of the safest flash compositions around. For other compositions you can go to the websites page and refer to their lists.