943 lines
50 KiB
Plaintext
943 lines
50 KiB
Plaintext
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!
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! IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING THIS RE-PRINT:
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! --------------------------------------
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!
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!
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! THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED OUT OF DATE, INACCURATE
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! AND OBSOLETE. IT IS PROVIDED HERE FOR HISTORICAL INFORMATION ONLY.
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! PLEASE CONSULT CURRENT CHEMICAL REFERENCE WORKS FOR KNOWN HAZARDS.
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!
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! ADDITIONALLY, MANY KNOWN HAZARDS AND INCOMPATABILITES ARE NOT CITED
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! THIS IS NOT A CURRENT WORK OR CURRENT STATMENT OF KNOWLEDEG IN THIS
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! FIELD!!! BEWARE!!!
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" KNOW WHAT YOUR HANDLING "
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Within this booklet you will find descriptions of almost 150 chemi-
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cals that are used in Fireworks, Explosives, Rocket Fuels or are
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Explosive in themselves. This list is not complete and is not in-
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tended to be complete. All of the uses are not given and only the
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related purposes of each are stated.
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Whenever possible we explain which grades are thought to be best, the
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chemical formula, melting temperature, decomposition temperature,
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form (liquid, powder, crystal, etc.), if it will explode, if it is
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poisonous and its usage. Some of these chemicals cannot be purchased
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and are offered as a guide for information purposes only.
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Chemicals have a certain purpose to perform in fireworks and
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can be classified into four groups.
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GROUP I These chemicals are the chemicals which produce the
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oxygen and are called oxidizers.
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GROUP II Those which combine with the oxidizers are called
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reducers.
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GROUP III These are the chemicals which regulate the rate of
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burning and help to produce the desired effect.
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GROUP IV This group of chemicals are those which impart color
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to the flame.
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We believe that the information contained here-in is true and cor-
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rect, however it is offered only as a guide and not to be used as a
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guarantee. We cannot assume responsibility nor liability for the use
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or misuse of the information contained here-in.
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PLEASE NOTE: ALL REFERENCES TO TEMPERATURE ARE IN DEGREES FAHREN-
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HEIT.
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Aluminum An element used for brilliancy in the
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fine powder form. It can be purchased as
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a fine silvery or gray powder. All
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grades from technical to superpure (99.-
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9%) can be used. The danger is from
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inhaling the dust and explosive room
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condition if too much dust goes into the
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air.
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Aluminum Chloride This chemical must not come in contact
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with the skin, as severe burns can resu-
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lt. The yellowish-white crystals or
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powder have a strong attraction for
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water. Purchase only in the anhydrous
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grade.
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Amber This is a fossil resin of vegetable
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origin and is yellowish-brown in color.
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It is used in fireworks to a small ex-
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tent.
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Ammonium Bichromate A mild poison used in the manufacture of
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& Dichromate tabletop volcanoes (sometimes called
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Vesuvius Fire). It is available as
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orange crystals in a technical grade.
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Also used in smoke formulas.
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Ammonium Chloride The common name is Sal Ammoniac. Comes
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as colorless crystals or a white powder.
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The technical grade is used to manufac-
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ture safety explosives and smokes.
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Ammonium Oxalate This compound takes the form of color-
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less, poisonous, crystals. The technical
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grade is suitable for the manufacture of
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saft explosives.
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Ammonium Perchlorate This chemical can be made to explode by
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either heat or shock. Besides exploding
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in itself, it is used to manufacture
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other explosives.
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Ammonium Permanganate A moderate explosive which can be detona-
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ted by either heat or shock.
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Ammonium Picrate These bright orange crystals are used in
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armor piercing shells and fireworks. If
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heated to 300 degrees it will explode or
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it can be set off by shock. If you do
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any work with this chemical, it is ad-
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visable to keep it wet.
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Aniline Dyes These are used in smoke powder formulas.
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They are organic coal tar derivatives.
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Available in many different colors.
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Aniline Green Also known as Malachite Green. One of
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the many aniline dyes. The green crys-
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tals are used in smoke formulas.
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Anthracene A coal tar derivative used as a source of
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dyestuff and for colored smokes. Avail-
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able as colorless crystals which melt at
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217 degrees.
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Antimony Another name for this metal element is
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Antimony Regulus. Purchase the black
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powder in a 99% purity. Not the yellow
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variety. It is used in pyrotechnics.
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Antimony Fulminate One of a group of unstable, explosive
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compounds related to Mercury Fulminate.
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Antimony Potassium Also known under the name of tartar
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Tartrate Emetic. These poisonous, transparent,
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odorless crystals (or white powder) are
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used to make Antimony Fulminate. The
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moisture that is present can be driven
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off by heating to 100 degrees. Do not
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exceed this temperature or the chemical
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will decompose.
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Antimony Sulfide This has a usefulness in sharpening the
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report of firecrackers, salutes, etc. or
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to add color to a fire. The technical,
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black powder is suitable. Avoid contact
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with the skin, dermatitis or worse will
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be the result.
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Aqua Regia A strong acid containing 1 part con-
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centrated Nitric Acid and 3 parts con-
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centrated Hydrochloric Acid. Store in a
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well closed glass bottle in a dark place.
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This acid will attack all metals, includ-
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ing gold and platinum. It is used in
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making some explosives.
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Arsenic Sulfide, Red The common name is Realgar and it is also
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known as Red Arsenic. Purchase the
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technical grade, which is available as a
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poisonous orange-red powder. It is used
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in fireworks to impart color to the
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flame.
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Arsenic Sulfide, Yellow This chemical is just as poisonous as its
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red brother and is also used in firewor-
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ks, somewhat. The common name is Kings
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Gold.
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Arsenious Oxide A white, highly poisonous powder used in
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fireworks. It is also known as Arsenious
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Trioxide, Arsenic Oxide and Arsenous
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Acid. Its uses are very similar to Paris
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Green.
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Asphaltum A black bituminous substance, best descr-
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ibed as powdered tar.
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Auramine Hydrochloride Also known as Auramine. It is used in
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smoke formulas. Available as yellow
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flakes or powder, which readily dissolve
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in alcohol.
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Auramine A certified Biological stain used in
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smoke cartridges.
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Barium Carbonate This is a poisonous salt of Barium, which
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decomposes at a fairly high temperature,
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1300 degrees. It is available as a fine
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white powder in the technical grade. It
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is used in fireworks as a color imparter.
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Barium Chlorate Available as white powder. It is poison-
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ous, as are all Barium salts. It is used
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in fireworks, both as an oxidizer and
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color imparter. It is as powerful as
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Potassium Chlorate and should be handled
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with the same care. Melting point is 414
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degrees.
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Barium Nitrate The uses and precautions are the same as
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above with a comparison equal to Potas-
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sium Nitrate instead of the Chlorate. It
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melts at 500 degrees.
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Bismuth Fulminate One of a group of unstable, explosive
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compounds derived from Fulminic Acid.
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Brass This is an alloy of Copper and Zinc.
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Some also contain a small percentage of
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Tin. The commercial grade is suitable in
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a powdered form. It is used in some
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firework formulas.
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Calcium Carbide These grayish, irregular lumps are nor-
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mally packed in waterproof and airtight
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metal containers. It is used in toy
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cannons. Mixed with water it forms
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Acetylene Gas. (EXPLOSIVE)
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Calcium Carbonate This occurs as the mineral Calcite. It
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is used for Phosphorus Torpedoes, but
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does not have any dangerous properties in
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itself. Also as an acid absorber in
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fireworks.
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Calcium Fluoride This finds its use in a smokeless firew-
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ork mixture and is not used elsewhere.
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It is a white powder, also known as
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Fluorspar.
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Calcium Phosphide This compound, which comes as gray lumps,
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must be kept dry. Upon contact with
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water it will form the flammable gas,
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Phosphine. It is used in signal fires.
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Camphor A ketone found in the wood of the Camphor
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tree, native to Formosa and a few of our
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States. For the best results, buy the
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granulated, technical grade. Used in
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explosives and fireworks.
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Castor Oil The common drug store variety is used in
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some powders to reduce the sensitiveness
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and to waterproof the mixture.
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Charcoal A form of the element, Carbon, it is used
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in fireworks and explosives as a reducing
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agent. It can be purchased as a dust on
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up to a coarse powder. The softwood
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variety is best and it should be black,
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not brown.
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Chrysoidine An organic dye available as a red-brown
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powder. It is used in smoke formulas.
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Clay This can be purchased in the powdered
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form. It is used dry for chokes, nozzles
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and sealing firework cases. You can mix
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it with water to form a paste if so
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desired.
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Confectioners Sugar Commonly called Powdered Sugar, it can be
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purchased as your local food store. The
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fineness is graded by the symbol XXXX.
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It is used in explosives.
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Copper As any pure metal used in fireworks, this
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must also be in a powdered state. It is
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reddish in color, in fact, it is the only
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element to be found in nature having that
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color.
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Copper Acetoarsenite The popular name for this is Paris Green.
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It is also called Kings Green or Vienna
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Green. It is readily available as an
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insecticide or as a technical grade,
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poisonous, emerald green powder. It is
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used in fireworks to add color.
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Copper Arsenite A fine, light green, poisonous powder.
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It is used in the technical grade for
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fireworks.
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Copper Carbonate Also known as Cupric Carbonate or Artifi-
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cial Malachite. It is a green powder
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used in fireworks.
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Copper Chlorate Or, technically Cupric Chlorate. A
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poison used in fireworks as an oxidizer
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and to add color.
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Copper Chloride An oxidizer and color imparter used in
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fireworks. Purchase the brownish-yellow
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technical grade. This is a poisonous
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compound.
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Copper Nitrate Or Cupric Nitrate, Cupric and Cuprous are
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many times interchangeable with the word
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Copper. These blue crystals absorb
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water, as you can see from the formula.
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It is used in fireworks.
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Copper Oxide When ordering be sure to specify the
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black powder. It is also available in
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Red. The technical grade will serve the
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purpose for fireworks.
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Copper Oxychloride A green powder used to impart oxygen an
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color especially to blue star formulas.
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It is a poison and the dust should not be
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inhaled.
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Copper Sulfate Known as Blue Vitroil, this poisonous
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compound is available as blue crystals or
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blue powder. It can be purchased in some
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drugstores. Used in fireworks for blue
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stars.
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Copper Sulfide As are the other Copper salts, this is
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also used in fireworks to add color. The
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technical grade is suitable and is black
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in color. You can make your own, by
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passing Hydrogen Sulfide into a Copper
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salt.
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Decaborane This chemical is classed as a flammable
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solid and is used for rocket fuels. It
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will remain stable indefinitely at room
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temperature.
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Dextrin This can be purchased as a white or
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yellow powder. It is a good cheap glue
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for binding cases and stars in fireworks.
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Diazoacetic Ester A very severe explosive in the form of a
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yellow oil. It will explode on contact
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with Sulfuric Acid or when heated. Very
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volatile and explosive.
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Diazoaminobenzene These golden yellow crystals will explode
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when heated to 150 degrees.
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P-Diazobenzeneslfonic Another severe explosive. It can be
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Acid exploded by rubbing the white paste or
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powder, or by heating.
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Diazodimitrophenol An organic explosive in the same group as
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|||
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the above compound. Also very sensitive
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|||
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to shock or heat.
|
|||
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|
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Diazomethane Also known as Azimethylene. This yellow
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|||
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gas is also in the same group as above
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and can be exploded by heat or shock.
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|||
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Dinitrotoluene Known as DNT for short. These yellow
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|||
|
|
crystals are used in the manufacture of
|
|||
|
|
other explosives.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Ethyl Alcohol This alcohol is the only one that is
|
|||
|
|
useful for fireworks. It should be about
|
|||
|
|
95% pure. It is poisonous because of the
|
|||
|
|
impurities. It is clear, like water and
|
|||
|
|
also a very flammable liquid.
|
|||
|
|
Fluorine Perchlorate A very sensitive colorless gas which will
|
|||
|
|
explode on the slightest contact with a
|
|||
|
|
rough surface. It can also be detonated
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
by heating to 168 degrees. Avoid all
|
|||
|
|
contact with this gas, even a trace of it
|
|||
|
|
will attack the lungs.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Gallic Acid A white or pale fawn colored powder used
|
|||
|
|
in fireworks to make whistles. When
|
|||
|
|
mixed with some Chlorates, Permanganates
|
|||
|
|
or Silver salts, it may explode.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Glycerol Commonly known as Glycerin. It is ob-
|
|||
|
|
tained from oils and fats as a by-product
|
|||
|
|
when making soaps. It is a sweet warm
|
|||
|
|
tasting syrupy liquid which is used in
|
|||
|
|
several explosives. Contact with Chrom-
|
|||
|
|
ium Trionide or Potassium Permanganate
|
|||
|
|
may cause an explosion.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Gold Explosive A dark brown powder which explodes when
|
|||
|
|
heated or rubbed. Upon exploding, it
|
|||
|
|
yields Gold, Nitrogen and Ammonia. The
|
|||
|
|
exact composition is unknown because it
|
|||
|
|
is too explosive to be dried.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Guanidine Nitrate Guanidine is found in turnip juice, rice
|
|||
|
|
hulls and earthworms. It is used in the
|
|||
|
|
preparation of this chemical. Or, it can
|
|||
|
|
be made from Ammonium Nitrate and Dicyan-
|
|||
|
|
odiamide. To be of any value, it should
|
|||
|
|
be 95% pure. Guanidine Nitrate is not
|
|||
|
|
explosive itself, but is used in the
|
|||
|
|
manufacture of explosives. It is a white
|
|||
|
|
powder which melts at 210 degrees.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Gum Arabic A dried, gummy, exudate from tropical
|
|||
|
|
trees. It is available as flakes, frag-
|
|||
|
|
ments and powder. It is used as a binder
|
|||
|
|
in firework formulas.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Hexachloroethane Also known as Carbon Hexachloride, this
|
|||
|
|
chemical is used in smoke formulas. It
|
|||
|
|
can be obtained in either powder or
|
|||
|
|
crystals.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Indigo A dark blue crystalline powder which is a
|
|||
|
|
commercial dye. You can purchase either
|
|||
|
|
the technical or pure grade for smokes.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Iodine Heavy grayish metallic looking crystals
|
|||
|
|
or flakes. Poisonous. Purchase the
|
|||
|
|
U.S.P. grade. It is being used in making
|
|||
|
|
explosives.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Iron The granular powder (at least 99% pure)
|
|||
|
|
is needed for several firework pieces.
|
|||
|
|
It is not a dangerous element, but will
|
|||
|
|
rust very easily, making it useless.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Iron Oxide These black crystals are used in thermite
|
|||
|
|
mixtures. When ordering, it may be
|
|||
|
|
listed as Ferrous Oxide. Black.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Kieselguhr This is a whitish powder used in dynamit-
|
|||
|
|
es. It is a siliceous earth, consisting
|
|||
|
|
mainly of diatoms. A good grade will
|
|||
|
|
absorb about four times its own weight.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Lactose Also called milk sugar. This white
|
|||
|
|
powder has a sweet taste. The crude
|
|||
|
|
grade will do for smoke formulas.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Lampblack This is another form of the element,
|
|||
|
|
carbon. It is a finely powdered black
|
|||
|
|
dust, resulting from the burning of crude
|
|||
|
|
oils. It is used for special effects in
|
|||
|
|
fireworks.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Lead Azide This is a poisonous white powder which
|
|||
|
|
explodes by heating to 350 degrees or by
|
|||
|
|
concussion. The main usage is in prime-
|
|||
|
|
rs. It can be made from Sodium Azide and
|
|||
|
|
Lead Nitrate.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Lead Bromate Poisonous, colorless crystals. Pure Lead
|
|||
|
|
Bromate is not explosive unless it is
|
|||
|
|
made from precipitated Lead Acetate with
|
|||
|
|
an alkali bromate. Made in this manner,
|
|||
|
|
it can be exploded by rubbing or strik-
|
|||
|
|
ing.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Lead Chloride It is available as a white crystalline,
|
|||
|
|
poisonous powder which melts at 501
|
|||
|
|
degrees. It is used in fireworks.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Lead Dioxide Also known as Brown Lead Oxide, this dark
|
|||
|
|
brown powder is used as an oxidizor in
|
|||
|
|
matches and fireworks. Poisonous.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Lead Nitrate Available as white or colorless crystals
|
|||
|
|
is the technical grade. The uses include
|
|||
|
|
matches and explosives. Poisonous.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Lead Oxide Also known as Red Lead or Lead Totraoxi-
|
|||
|
|
de. A 95% purity is desired for matches.
|
|||
|
|
Also poisonous.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Linseed Oil Available in many forms: Brown, boiled,
|
|||
|
|
raw and refined. All are made from the
|
|||
|
|
seed of the flax plant. The cheapest
|
|||
|
|
form is suitable for fireworks. Purchase
|
|||
|
|
from a paint store.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Lithium Chloride The technical grade is sometimes used to
|
|||
|
|
add color to fireworks compositions.
|
|||
|
|
Available as a white powder.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Manganese Dioxide Used in pyrotechnic mixtures, matches and
|
|||
|
|
match box friction surfaces. Available
|
|||
|
|
as a technical grade, black powder. This
|
|||
|
|
oxidizer decomposes at 535 degrees.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Magnesium This metal is used in a powdered state
|
|||
|
|
for brilliancy in flares and will even
|
|||
|
|
burn vigorously underwater.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Mercuric Chloride A white, poisonous powder. Also known as
|
|||
|
|
Corrosive Sublimate. It can be made by
|
|||
|
|
subliming Mercuric Sulfate with ordinary
|
|||
|
|
table salt and then purified by recrys-
|
|||
|
|
tallization. The U.S.P. grade is used
|
|||
|
|
for some firework compositions.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Mercuric Oxide Available in two forms- red and yellow.
|
|||
|
|
Both forms give the same oxidizing ef-
|
|||
|
|
fects in fireworks. The technical grade
|
|||
|
|
is suitable. All forms are Poisonous.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Mercuric Oxcyanide In the pure state it is a violent poison
|
|||
|
|
which will explode when touched by flame
|
|||
|
|
or friction.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Mercuric Thiocyanate A poisonous, white odorless powder used
|
|||
|
|
in the making of Pharoah's Serpents. Use
|
|||
|
|
the technical grade.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Mercurous Chloride Also known as Calomel or Mercury Monochl-
|
|||
|
|
oride. This white, non-poisonous powder
|
|||
|
|
will brighten an otherwise dull colored
|
|||
|
|
mixture. Sometimes it is replaced by PVC
|
|||
|
|
or Hexachlorobenzene and even Antimony
|
|||
|
|
Sulfide, for the same purpose. Note that
|
|||
|
|
it is non-poisonous only when it is 100%
|
|||
|
|
PURE. Never confuse this chemical with
|
|||
|
|
Mercuric Chloride, which is poisonous in
|
|||
|
|
any form.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Mercury Fulminate A crystalline compound used in primers,
|
|||
|
|
percussion caps, blasting caps and other
|
|||
|
|
detonators. Explodes very easily from
|
|||
|
|
heat or shock.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Methylene Blue This dark green powder is used for smokes
|
|||
|
|
in the technical grade. Also called
|
|||
|
|
Methylthionine Chloride.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Mineral Jelly Also known as Vaseline, Petrolatum or
|
|||
|
|
Petroleum-Jelly. This acts as a stabili-
|
|||
|
|
zer in fireworks and explosives.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Naphthalene This is a tar product that you may know
|
|||
|
|
better as Moth Flakes. Only the 100%
|
|||
|
|
PURE form should be used in making smoke
|
|||
|
|
powders. The melting point is 100 degre-
|
|||
|
|
es.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Nitric Acid Also known as Aqua Fortis. It is a
|
|||
|
|
clear, colorless, corrosive liquid, which
|
|||
|
|
fumes in moist air. It can react violen-
|
|||
|
|
tly with organic matter such as: Char-
|
|||
|
|
coal, Alcohol or Turpentine and conse-
|
|||
|
|
quently must be handled very carefully.
|
|||
|
|
It is available in three forms: White
|
|||
|
|
Fuming, Red Fuming and Concentrated (70
|
|||
|
|
to 71%). The latter, with a specific
|
|||
|
|
gravity of 1.42, is the proper grade to
|
|||
|
|
buy. Whatever grade, avoid contact with
|
|||
|
|
the fumes or the liquid. Contact with
|
|||
|
|
the skin will cause it to burn and turn
|
|||
|
|
yellow. It is used to manufacture many
|
|||
|
|
explosives.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Nitroglycerin A liquid with a sweet burning taste but
|
|||
|
|
do not taste it or it will produce a
|
|||
|
|
violent headache or acute poisoning. It
|
|||
|
|
can be made to explode by rapid heating
|
|||
|
|
of percussion. It is used as an ex-
|
|||
|
|
plosive and also to make other ex-
|
|||
|
|
plosives.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Nitroguanidine A yellow solid make by dissolving Fuanid-
|
|||
|
|
ine in concentrated Sulfuric Acid and
|
|||
|
|
then diluting with water. Dangerous
|
|||
|
|
Explosive.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Nitromethane An oily, poisonous liquid, which is used
|
|||
|
|
as rocket fuel.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Oil of Spike This is a volatile oil obtained from the
|
|||
|
|
leaves of certain trees. Keep this
|
|||
|
|
colorless (or pale yellow) liquid well
|
|||
|
|
closed and away from light. It is used
|
|||
|
|
in some fireworks.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Paraffin This is a white or transparent wax. It
|
|||
|
|
is normally sold in a solid block. You
|
|||
|
|
can use a file to make the required
|
|||
|
|
powder.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Paranitroaniline Red A dye used in smoke formulas. It dissol-
|
|||
|
|
ves in alcohol and will melt at 139
|
|||
|
|
degrees. It is also known as p-Aminophe-
|
|||
|
|
nyl.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Pentaerythrityl A high explosive known at PRTN. Besides
|
|||
|
|
Tetranitrate being an explosive itself it is used in a
|
|||
|
|
detonating fuse called Irimacord.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Perchloryl Fluoride A gas under normal air pressure. When
|
|||
|
|
brought in contact with alcohol, ex-
|
|||
|
|
plosions have resulted.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Phosphorus This element comes in three forms, with
|
|||
|
|
three different ways of reacting. They
|
|||
|
|
resemble each other in name only. Red
|
|||
|
|
Phosphorus is the only suitable form for
|
|||
|
|
fireworks and matches. It is a non-
|
|||
|
|
poisonous violet-red powder. It will
|
|||
|
|
ignite at 260 degrees. When making a
|
|||
|
|
formula containing Phosphorus, be sure to
|
|||
|
|
work with it in a wet state. This is a
|
|||
|
|
most dangerous chemical to work with and
|
|||
|
|
should be handled by the most ex-
|
|||
|
|
perienced. Oxidizers have been known to
|
|||
|
|
detonate violently without warning when
|
|||
|
|
mixed with Red Phosphorus.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Phosphorus Pentasulfide Also known as Phosphoric Sulfide. These
|
|||
|
|
light yellow crystals are used in match-
|
|||
|
|
es.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Phosphorus Trisulfide This chemical can catch fire from the
|
|||
|
|
moisture that is present in air, there-
|
|||
|
|
fore the container should be kept tightly
|
|||
|
|
capped. The technical grade, purchased
|
|||
|
|
as grayish-yellow masses, is used in
|
|||
|
|
making matches.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Picric Acid This is used to bring out and improve the
|
|||
|
|
tone of colors in various fireworks. It
|
|||
|
|
is also used to make other chemicals that
|
|||
|
|
are used in fireworks and explosives.
|
|||
|
|
Picric Acid can explode from heat or
|
|||
|
|
shock. It is interesting to note what it
|
|||
|
|
is called in other countries. Britain:
|
|||
|
|
Lyddite; France: Melinite; Japan: Shimo-
|
|||
|
|
se.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Plaster of Paris This is a white powder, composed mostly
|
|||
|
|
of Calcium Sulfate. It is used, by
|
|||
|
|
mixing with water, for end plugs in
|
|||
|
|
fireworks and also in some of the for-
|
|||
|
|
mulas.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Potassium A soft silvery metal element. It will
|
|||
|
|
react vigorously with water and several
|
|||
|
|
acids. It is not used directly except
|
|||
|
|
for some experiments.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Potassium Chlorate This, perhaps, is the most widely used
|
|||
|
|
chemical in fireworks. Before it was
|
|||
|
|
known, mixtures were never spectacular in
|
|||
|
|
performance. It opened the door to what
|
|||
|
|
fireworks are today. It is a poisonous,
|
|||
|
|
white powder that is used as an oxidizer.
|
|||
|
|
Never ram a mixture containing Potassium
|
|||
|
|
Chlorate. Do not store mixtures which
|
|||
|
|
contain this chemical for any great
|
|||
|
|
length of time, as they may explode
|
|||
|
|
spontaneously.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Potassium Dichromate Also known as Potassium Bichromate. The
|
|||
|
|
commercial grade is used in fireworks and
|
|||
|
|
matches. The bright orange crystals are
|
|||
|
|
poisonous. Also used in smokes.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Potassium Ferrocyanide Lemon yellow crystals or powder which
|
|||
|
|
will decompose at high temperatures. It
|
|||
|
|
is used in the manufacture of explosives.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Potassium Nitrate Commonly called Saltpeter; this chemical
|
|||
|
|
is an oxidizer which decomposes at 400
|
|||
|
|
degrees. It is well known as a component
|
|||
|
|
of gunpowder and is also used in other
|
|||
|
|
firework pieces. Available as a white
|
|||
|
|
powder.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Potassium Perchlorate Much more stable than its Chlorate broth-
|
|||
|
|
er, this chemical is a white or slightly
|
|||
|
|
pink powder. It can often substitute for
|
|||
|
|
Potassium Chlorate to make the formula
|
|||
|
|
safer. It will not yield its oxygen as
|
|||
|
|
easily, but to make up for this, it gives
|
|||
|
|
off more oxygen. It is also poisonous.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Potassium Picrate A salt of Picric Acid, this chemical
|
|||
|
|
comes in yellow, reddish or greenish
|
|||
|
|
crystals. It will explode when struck or
|
|||
|
|
heated. It is used in fireworks.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Potassium Thiocyanate Colorless or white crystals which are
|
|||
|
|
used to make the Pharaoh's Serpent. The
|
|||
|
|
commercial grade or pure grade is suitab-
|
|||
|
|
le.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
n-Propyl Nitrite Prepared from Silver Nitrate and n-Propyl
|
|||
|
|
Bromide and is used as a jet propellant.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Red Gum Rosin similar to Shellac and can often
|
|||
|
|
replace it in many fireworks formulas.
|
|||
|
|
Red Gum is obtained from the barks of
|
|||
|
|
trees.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Rhodamine B A basic red fluorescent organic pigment
|
|||
|
|
also known as Rhodamine Red. Available
|
|||
|
|
in green or red crystals or powder. It
|
|||
|
|
is used in smoke formulas.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Shellac An organic rosin made from the secretion
|
|||
|
|
of insects which live in India. The
|
|||
|
|
exact effect it produces in fireworks is
|
|||
|
|
not obtainable from other gums. The
|
|||
|
|
common mixture os Shellac and Alcohol
|
|||
|
|
sold in hardware stores should be avoid-
|
|||
|
|
ed. Purchase the powdered variety, which
|
|||
|
|
is orange in color.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Silver Fulminate A crystalline salt similar to Mercury
|
|||
|
|
Fulminate but more sensitive. In fact,
|
|||
|
|
too sensitive for commercial blasting.
|
|||
|
|
It is used for toy torpedoes and poppers.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Silver Oxide Dark brown, odorless powder. It is
|
|||
|
|
potentially explosive and becomes in-
|
|||
|
|
creasingly more so with time. Keep away
|
|||
|
|
from Ammonia and combustible solvents.
|
|||
|
|
The technical grade, which is about 92%
|
|||
|
|
Silver, is suitable.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Sodium Aluminum Floride Also known as the mineral, Cryolite. It
|
|||
|
|
is used in fireworks in the white pow-
|
|||
|
|
dered form.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Sodium Bicarbonate When a formula calls for this chemical,
|
|||
|
|
you can use Baking Soda (NOT Baking
|
|||
|
|
Powder). It is a white, non poisonous
|
|||
|
|
powder.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Sodium Carbonate This white powder is used in fireworks,
|
|||
|
|
but not to any great extent. The an-
|
|||
|
|
hydrous grade is best.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Sodium Chlorate An oxidizer similar to Potassium Chlora-
|
|||
|
|
te, although not as powerful and also
|
|||
|
|
with the disadvantage of absorbing water.
|
|||
|
|
Decomposes at 325 degrees.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Sodium Chloride This is used in fireworks. You can use
|
|||
|
|
the common form, table salt (or rock salt
|
|||
|
|
if made into a powder).
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Sodium Nitrate Also known as Chile Saltpeter; very
|
|||
|
|
similar to Saltpeter (Potassium Nitrate).
|
|||
|
|
It is used where large amounts of powder
|
|||
|
|
are needed in fireworks and explosives.
|
|||
|
|
It will absorb water as do other sodium
|
|||
|
|
salts.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Sodium Oxalate This is not a strong poison but is poiso-
|
|||
|
|
nous, and you should not come in contact
|
|||
|
|
with it or breathe the dust for any
|
|||
|
|
prolonged period. The technical grade is
|
|||
|
|
best for making yellow fires.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Sodium Perchlorate This chemical is used in fireworks and
|
|||
|
|
explosives. It is very similar to Potas-
|
|||
|
|
sium Perchlorate with the exception that
|
|||
|
|
it will absorb water.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Sodium Peroxide A yellowish-white powder. It can explode
|
|||
|
|
or ignite in contact with organic sub-
|
|||
|
|
stances.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Sodium Picrate Very similar to Potassium Picrate and
|
|||
|
|
should be handled with the same precau-
|
|||
|
|
tions. It is also known under the name
|
|||
|
|
of Sodium Trinitrophenolate.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Sodium Silicate This chemical, commonly called water
|
|||
|
|
glass, is used as a fireproof glue. It
|
|||
|
|
is available in syrupy solution and can
|
|||
|
|
be thinned with water if necessary. When
|
|||
|
|
dry it resembles glass, hence the name.
|
|||
|
|
It can when desired be thickened with
|
|||
|
|
calcium carbonate, zinc oxide, powdered
|
|||
|
|
silica, or fibre glass (chopped) if extra
|
|||
|
|
strength is desired.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Stearin Colorless, odorless, tasteless, soapy
|
|||
|
|
crystal or powder. Sometimes referred to
|
|||
|
|
as Stearic Acid, purchase the technical
|
|||
|
|
grade, powder. It can often take the
|
|||
|
|
place of Sulfur and Charcoal in firewor-
|
|||
|
|
ks.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Strontium Carbonate Known in the natural state as Stron-
|
|||
|
|
tianite, this chemical is used for adding
|
|||
|
|
a red color to fires. It comes as a
|
|||
|
|
white powder in a pure, technical or
|
|||
|
|
natural state.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Strontium Chloride A colorless or white granulated chemical
|
|||
|
|
used in pyrotechnics. It will absorb
|
|||
|
|
water and is not used often.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Strontium Nitrate By far the most common chemical used to
|
|||
|
|
produce red in flares, stars and fires.
|
|||
|
|
Available in the technical powder grade.
|
|||
|
|
An oxidizer with 45% oxygen and absorbs
|
|||
|
|
H2O.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Strontium Sulfate This does not absorb water as quick as
|
|||
|
|
nitrate and is used when storage is
|
|||
|
|
necessary. In its natural state it is
|
|||
|
|
known as Celestine, which compares to
|
|||
|
|
grades used in fireworks.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Sulfur For an example type II burns as 250
|
|||
|
|
degrees giving off choking fumes. Pur-
|
|||
|
|
chase good pyro grades low in acid. Used
|
|||
|
|
in many types of fireworks and ex-
|
|||
|
|
plosives.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Sulfuric Acid Also called oil of Vitriol, it is a clear
|
|||
|
|
liquid with the consistency of thin
|
|||
|
|
syrup. Bottles should be kept tightly
|
|||
|
|
closed as it is a very corrosive and
|
|||
|
|
dangerous chemical. It has a great
|
|||
|
|
affinity for water and will absorb it
|
|||
|
|
from any source. The effect can be a
|
|||
|
|
charred surface or fire. The grade used
|
|||
|
|
in explosives is 93-98%.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Sulfur Trioxide This powder will combine with water with
|
|||
|
|
explosive violence to form Sulfuric Acid.
|
|||
|
|
If brought in contact with wood flour and
|
|||
|
|
a drop of water is added, a fire will
|
|||
|
|
start. It is used to make some ex-
|
|||
|
|
plosives.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Trinitrotoluene Commonly known as TNT. The poisonous
|
|||
|
|
crystals are colorless in the pure state.
|
|||
|
|
It is more powerful and expensive than
|
|||
|
|
Dynamite. If not confined it will burn
|
|||
|
|
like dynamite. Used as a high explosive
|
|||
|
|
and to make others.
|
|||
|
|
Wood Flour This is merely another name for Sawdust
|
|||
|
|
or Wood Meal. It is used in fireworks
|
|||
|
|
and explosives.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Zinc Of all the forms, only the dust is suita-
|
|||
|
|
ble in the technical or high purity
|
|||
|
|
grade. It is a gray powder used in star
|
|||
|
|
mixtures and for fuel in model rockets.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Zinc Borate A white amorphous powder used in making
|
|||
|
|
smoke formulas. A relatively safe com-
|
|||
|
|
pound to handle.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Zinc Carbonate Another white Zinc compound used in some
|
|||
|
|
smoke formulas. Also a safe compound to
|
|||
|
|
handle.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Zinc Oxide Sometimes called Flowers of Zinc. This
|
|||
|
|
is a white or yellowish powder used in
|
|||
|
|
some fireworks formulas. It has also
|
|||
|
|
found use as a thickening agent in water
|
|||
|
|
glass when a stronger pyro paste is
|
|||
|
|
desired.
|