Material used in Firecrackars etc

1. Aluminium and chlorate (not a good choice)

2. Potassium nitrate, aluminium and sulfur( popular with hobbyists)

3. Aluminium and perchlorate(Industry standard)

4. Magnesium and nitrate(Average)

Aluminum and Water Reaction

Aluminum + Steam —> Aluminum oxide + Hydrogen

Weblink: http://www.elementalmatter.info/aluminum-reaction.htm

 Aluminium powder is one of the most often used fuels in pyrotechnics.

 A wide range of effects are possible with different types of powder, with differences in particle size, shape, and imp

 The finest powders (e.g., German Dark and XD-30) can be 'airfloat' and are commonly used in flash compositions.

 Fine aluminum is also used in small percentages in some hobby-rocket fuels.

 Courser powders are generally used for sparkling effects. With these larger particle types, many effects-such as flitt
Product description

Dark (Pyro) Aluminium: It is a very fine powder and dark grey in color. Nominal mesh size is 200 but it
contains particles of 2µ. There is a wide variety of uses for dark aluminum, for example, flash powders,
star compositions, fountains, waterfalls, torches, flares, etc. For all these purposes it is generally used as a
fuel. Many powders sold as “dark” aren´t really dark aluminium but the atomized type (often 63µ) and
although the color of the former may vary it has to be dark grey and not light grey or even whitish grey
(some of the best dark aluminium comes from Eckart Germany and this powder is nearly black in color =
German Dark). Under the microscope, it´s possible to identify atomized and dark powders quite well: the
former are spherical in shape while the latter are irregular and angular. Dark aluminum is generally the
most expensive of all the aluminum powders.

Aluminium is a neurotoxin that alters the function of the blood-brain barrier. Additionally, small particles
that are airborne act as tiny razors when they come in contact with lung or eye tissue, and a dust mask and
goggles should be worn at all times when working with aluminum powder. Mixtures containing nitrates
and aluminum powder are prone to heating up spontaneously and may ignite, especially when wet. This is
caused by the reduction of the nitrate by aluminum, forming amides. These very basic compounds react
further with aluminum powder in a very exothermic reaction that can cause spontaneous ignition. An
ammonia smell is often produced in this reaction. Adding 1 to 2% boric acid to compositions containing
nitrates and aluminum is common practice and will often prevent spontaneous ignition.

Weblink: https://www.amazon.com/ALUMINUM-GERMAN-5413H-SUPER-POUND/dp/B0788WJVYL

Aluminium and perchlorate[edit]

Aluminium powder and potassium perchlorate are the only two components of the pyrotechnic industry
standard flash powder. It provides a great balance of stability and power, and is the composition used in
most commercial exploding fireworks.

aka A B mixture

The balanced equation for the reaction is:

3 KClO4 + 8 Al → 3 KCl + 4 Al2O3

A ratio of seven parts potassium perchlorate to three parts dark pyro aluminium is the composition used
by most pyrotechnicians. The stoichiometric ratio is 34.2% aluminum by mass to 65.8% perchlorate by
mass.

For best results, the aluminium powder should be "Dark Pyro" grade, with a flake particle shape, and a
particle size of fewer than 10 micrometres. The KClO4 should be in powder form, free from clumps. It
can be sieved through a screen, if necessary, to remove any clumps prior to use. The particle size of the
perchlorate is not as critical as that of the aluminium component, as much less energy is required to
decompose the KClO4 than is needed to melt the aluminium into the liquid state required for the reaction.

Although this composition is fairly insensitive, it should be treated with care and respect. Hobbyist
pyrotechnicians usually use a method called diapering, in which the materials are poured separately onto
a large piece of paper, which is then alternately lifted at each corner to roll the composition over itself and
mix the components. Some amateur pyrotechnicians choose to mix the composition by shaking in a
closed paper container, as this is much quicker and more effective than diapering. One method of mixing
flash is to put the components in the final device and handling the device will mix the flash powder.
Paper/cardboard is chosen over other materials such as plastic as a result of its
favorable triboelectric properties.

Large quantities should never be mixed in a single batch. Large quantities are not only more difficult to
handle safely, but they place innocent bystanders within the area at risk. In the event of accidental
ignition, debris from a multiple-pound flash powder explosion can be thrown hundreds of feet with
sufficient force to kill or injure. (Note: 25 grams of mixture is enough to explode in open air without
constraint other than air pressure.)

No matter the quantity, care must always be taken to prevent any electrostatic discharge or friction during
mixing or handling, as these may cause accidental ignition.

Weblink: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_powder