Burst & Basic Compositions
These Compositions produce an amount of gas very fast, and are used as lift charges and burst charges in pyrotechnic devices such as erial shells (as the lift charge and the burst charge), in firecrackers (as the burst charge), mines (as the lift charge) and roman candles (as the lift charge). Please note: there are also some "basic compositions" in this list, these are thermite and delay powder. Thermite is used as a high tempurature, self-oxidizing composition to melt metal and delay powder is used to delay a flame.
Black Powder
Black powder is the most known pyrotechnic composition and the one used the most.
To make it simply mix all the below chemicals in the correct proportions (by weight).
Potassium Nitrate 74.6
Charcoal (Airfloat) 13.5
Sulfur 11.9
To make it simply mix all the below chemicals in the correct proportions (by weight).
Potassium Nitrate 74.6
Charcoal (Airfloat) 13.5
Sulfur 11.9
Golden Powder
To make golden powder mix the ingredients together, dissolve in a small amount of water and heat that mixture on a moderate flame. Be careful as there is a chance of combustion. Now boil almost all the water off and leave to dry. Gently crush it up into powder when it is dry.
Potassium Nitrate 60
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 40
Potassium Nitrate 60
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 40
Flash Powder (Mg)
Most types of flash powder are very powerful and pretty sensitive, so they should be used carefully. To make all the following flash powders, mix carefully using the diaper method.
Potassium Nitrate 50
Magnesium 50
Potassium Nitrate 50
Magnesium 50
Flash Powder (Al)
A very basic flash powder mixture.
Potassium Nitrate 67
Aluminum 16.5
Sulfur 16.5
Potassium Nitrate 67
Aluminum 16.5
Sulfur 16.5
Flash Powder (MgAl)
A great flash powder mixture as it uses the Magnesium / Aluminium Alloy. It is easily ignitable and burns fast and at a high tempurature.
Potassium Nitrate 55
Magnalium 45
Sulfur 5
Potassium Nitrate 55
Magnalium 45
Sulfur 5
Flash Powder (Dark German Pyro)
A strong and powerful flash powder.
Potassium Perchlorate 72
Aluminum (dark German pyro) 28
Potassium Perchlorate 72
Aluminum (dark German pyro) 28
Flash Powder (Perchlorate)
A great general flash powder.
Potassium Perchlorate 50
Magnesium 50
Potassium Perchlorate 50
Magnesium 50
Whistle Mix
Whistle mix burns extremely fast and produces a whistle effect when pressed in a tube. Do not ever ram or hammer it into a tube, only press. Handle it with care. It can be used as boosters in burst charges in aerial shells.
Potassium Perchlorate 70
Sodium Benzoate 30
Potassium Perchlorate 70
Sodium Benzoate 30
Armstrong's Mix
Armstrong's mix is a highly sensitive composition which should never be used in pyrotechnic devices of any sort. It is extremely sensitive to friction and shock and should be handled with utmost caution.
Potassium Perchlorate 70
Red Phosphorus 30
Potassium Perchlorate 70
Red Phosphorus 30
Crimson Powder
Crimson powder is very similar to golden powder. Its only difference is that crimson powder contains some Red Iron Oxide catalyst. This composition is made by adding mixed ingredients (10g) to 30ml of boiling water. Paste is smeared on heavy aluminium foil, and dried in oven on lowest setting (do not make more than ~10g at time).
Potassium Nitrate 62
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 45
Red Iron (II) Oxide 5
Potassium Nitrate 62
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 45
Red Iron (II) Oxide 5
Yellow Powder
Yellow powder has no use at all in fireworks manufacture as it has an unpredictable nature and is highly hygroscopic. To make this, melt the Potassium Carbonate and Sulphur into a paste, next mix in the Potassium Nitrate and let solidify.
Potassium Nitrate 30
Potassium Carbonate 20
Sulfur 10
Potassium Nitrate 30
Potassium Carbonate 20
Sulfur 10
Thermite
Thermite is a mixture of Aluminium and Red Iron (II) Oxide. It is very hard to ignite and burns at a high enough tempurature to melt steel. Ignite with magnesium ribbon.
Aluminium 1
Iron (II) Oxide 2.96
Aluminium 1
Iron (II) Oxide 2.96
Ammonpulver
Ammonpulver is a black powder substitute invented by the Germans. It isn't necessarily powerful.
Ammonium Nitrate 85
Charcoal 15
Aromatic Nitro compound 2
Ammonium Nitrate 85
Charcoal 15
Aromatic Nitro compound 2
Delay Powder
Delay powder is a slow burning composition that will transfer a flame from one point to another slowly.
Potassium Nitrate 45
Charcoal 50
Dextrin 5
Potassium Nitrate 45
Charcoal 50
Dextrin 5
KP
KP is a burst/lift charge invented by Takeo Shimizu. It is much safer to handle than H3 because H3 contains chlorates, which are dangerous when they come into contact with sulphates.
Potassium Perchlorate 70
Charcoal 18
Sulphur 12
SGRS +2
Potassium Perchlorate 70
Charcoal 18
Sulphur 12
SGRS +2
H3
H3 is a suitable lift charge for small aerial shells. It contains chlorates so it should not come into any contact with sulphates. For best results, powder the Charcoal as finely as possible.
Potassium Chlorate 75
Charcoal 25
Dextrin +2
Potassium Chlorate 75
Charcoal 25
Dextrin +2