PDA

View Full Version : Ammonium perchlorate stars



californiapyro
06-02-2011, 11:47 PM
Well since amperc is an "up and coming" chemical in the fireworks world, I thought I'd start a thread of anyone's favorite comps. Any favorites?

PyroJoeNEPA
06-03-2011, 01:25 PM
Here are a couple:

Red star #12 Source: rec.pyrotechnics archive.
Composition from Shimizu[1], page 219.
It’s listed under the name "Ammon red star brilliant".
Ammonium perchlorate....................41
Magnesium, 60 mesh.......................33.3
Red gum..........................................9.5
Strontium carbonate..........................9.5
Potassium dichromate.......................1.9
Soluble glutinous rice starch..............4.8


Green star #7 Source: PML, post by Charley Wilson
Comments: Beautiful green. Direct substitution of barium nitrate with strontium nitrate produces a nice red.
Prime with potassium perchlorate based strobe prime
ammonium perchlorate...................50
barium nitrate.................................35
shellac........................................... 15


Green star #17 Source: rec.pyrotechnics archive.
Composition from Shimizu[1], page 219. It’s listed under the name "Ammon green star brilliant".
Comments: Preparation: The magnesium must be coated with potassium dichromate.
Ammonium perchlorate......................41
Magnesium, 60 mesh.........................33.3
Red gum...........................................9.5
Barium carbonate..............................9.5
Potassium dichromate........................1.9 ---- K2Cr2O7
Soluble glutinous rice starch................4.8


Blue star #2
Preparation: Add 25 volume parts of water to dextrin and mix in the other ingredients. Use more water if necessary.
Ammonium perchlorate...................60
Sulfur............................................ 17
Copper(II)oxide.............................20
Dextrin (binder)...............................3
Red gum or Shellac..........................6


NB!! Potassium Bichromate & Potassium Dichromate are the same compound- K2Cr2O7. Older formulae refer to it as "Bichromate of Potash".

The blue star comp is a very deep blue color-very pretty.

That being said, I still prefer the quick & easy parlon stars if I only need a small batch.

californiapyro
06-03-2011, 07:29 PM
yeah, the amperc blues are the best because of the low combustion temp. came across one the other day, very interesting. 70 amperc 10 red gum 10 copper carbonate 10 charcoal. its a lavender with a charcoal tail, very pretty