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Chapter 6: Flash, Burst Charges and Whistle Mix

Flash #1
Source: Lancaster[2], listed as ‘Thunder #1’.
Comments: The sulfur can be replaced by antimony trisulfide and the sound of a salute made with this composition will change very little.
Preparation:

potassium perchlorate.............................50
Aluminum..........................................23
sulfur............................................27

Flash #2
Source: rec.pyrotechnics, Listed as ‘Ellern #121' in Ellern [4].
Comments:
Preparation:

potassium perchlorate.............................70
Aluminum (dark pyro)..............................30

Flash #3
Source: rec.pyrotechnics
Comments: Larger percentage of aluminum results in a stronger flash. This composition is slightly less sensitive than the usual perchlorate mixtures which also contain sulfur.
Preparation:

Potassium perchlorate.............................65...70%
Aluminum powder...................................rest (up to 100%)

Flash #4
Source: rec.pyrotechnics. Post by Mark Anthony Messina <messim3@hall103.its.rpi.edu
Comments:
Preparation:

Potassium perchlorate.............................3
Aluminum, 400 mesh................................3
Sulfur............................................1

Flash #5
Source: rec.pyrotechnics. Post by Bill Nelson <billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com. Composition from Allen’s book.
Comments: This is a relatively safe flash composition. Burns with a brilliant white light in an open tube, or when unconfined. When well confined, it produces a loud, low pitched report and a short but intense flash.
Preparation:

Potassium nitrate.................................50
Sulfur............................................30
Aluminum..........................................20

Flash #6
Source: rec.pyrotechnics. Post by Patrick Arnold <pcats@cryton.demon.co.uk
Comments: Can be ignited by a fairly low temperature flame, and produces a greenish flash when magnesium is used. Burns very fast, and produces a loud report even in an open container.
Preparation:

Magnesium or Aluminum.............................1
Barium sulfate....................................1

Flash #7
Source: rec.pyrotechnics. Post by Barrie Hiern <ilikecpu@nevada.edu
Comments: Relatively insensitive.
Preparation:

Barium nitrate....................................4
Alumium (fine mesh)...............................2
sulfur............................................1

Flash #8
Source: PML mailing list, post by Bill Ofca <ofca@mhv.net
Comments:
Preparation: Dampen the mix lightly with water and mix thoroughly such that the material is crumbly but then packs tightly into a ball. If it is at all greasy feeling or mushy, there is way too much water. Save some dry mix on the side just in case it becomes too wet during the dampening. Granulate the damp comp by rubbing the packed ball over a 20 mesh screen. Do not use any screens larger than 20 mesh. If the screen plugs, the comp is too damp. Add more dry comp and thoughly mix in. After drying the granulated powder, it can be used in flash bags. About 3 to 5 grams works well in a 3 inch shell. Experimentation is needed to adjust the amount of burst for good results with different stars and shell construction. This powder can also be used ungranulated, in a central flash bag, in larger shells.

Potassium nitrate.................................3
Potassium perchlorate.............................3
Dark aluminum (USB 809)...........................3
Barium nitrate....................................1
Antimony sulfide (CN).............................1
Sulfur............................................1
Dextrin...........................................1/2

Flash #9
Source: rec.pyrotechnics. Post by Wouter Visser <wfvisser@stud.chem.ruu.nl
Comments: The use of permanganate in pyrotechnic compositions is not recommended, since it is unstable and will decompose over time. Also, like all flash mixtures, this mixture is quite sensitive and powerfull. Great care should be taken when handling this mixture.
Preparation:

Potassium permanganate............................12
Aluminum..........................................7
Sulfur............................................10

Flash #10
Source: Shimizu[1], Page 44
Comments: Listed as a report formulation.
Preparation:

Potassium perchlorate.............................70
Aluminum..........................................27
Sulfur............................................3

Flash #11
Source: Shimizu[1], Page 44
Comments: Listed as a report formulation. Shimizu states that this composition produces the loudest report obtainable with a pottasium perchlorate/aluminum/sulfur composition.
Preparation:

Potassium perchlorate.............................64
Aluminum..........................................23
Sulfur............................................13

Flash #12
Source: Shimizu[1]. Page 44
Comments: Listed as a report formulation. This composition produces slightly less noise than "Flash #11", but is safer to handle than similar compositions containing sulfur.
Preparation:

Potassium perchlorate.............................72
Aluminum..........................................28

Flash #13
Source: Lancaster[2], page 120
Comments: Listed as a report formulation
Preparation:

Barium nitrate....................................68
aluminum, dark pyro...............................23
Sulfur............................................9

H3 Bursting charge
Source: Shimizu[1]. Page 207
Comments: This energetic burst charge is used for small diameter shells (2...3 inch), since it makes a large and symmetrical burst possible. Besides the composition below, a ratio of chlorate to hemp coal of 10:3 is also popular. The sensitivity of this mixture to shock and friction is unexpectedly low, as long as the composition does not come into contact with sulfur or sulfur compounds.
Preparation:

Potassium chlorate................................75
Hemp coal (or Paulownia coal).....................25
Glutinous rice starch.............................+2%

Potassium perchlorate bursting charge #1
Source: Shimizu[1]. Page 208. Listed as ‘KP burst charge’
Comments: This energetic burst charge can be used for small shells, but is unsuitable for the smallest diameters (2...3 inch). It is much safer to handle than the H3 bursting charge since it contains no chlorates.
Preparation:

Potassium perchlorate.............................70
Hemp coal (or Paulownia coal).....................18
Sulfur............................................12
Glutinous rice starch.............................+2%

Potassium perchlorate bursting charge #2
Source: Shimizu[1]. Page 210
Comments: Shimizu lists this composition as ‘burst charge No. 5’. This compositions sensitivity is quite low, although higher than that of black powder. The explosive force of this composition is lower than that of the ‘Potassium perchlorate bursting charge #1’. This burst charge is often used in shells of middle and large diameter (6...10 inch).
Preparation:

Potassium perchlorate.............................70
Hemp coal (or Paulownia coal).....................30
Glutinous rice starch.............................+2%

Potassium perchlorate bursting charge #3
Source: Shimizu[1]. Page 210
Comments: Shimizu lists this composition as ‘burst charge No. 44’. The potassium bichromate catalyses the decomposition of the potassium perchlorate. This composition’s sensitivity is quite low, although higher than that of black powder. The explosive force of this composition is lower than that of the ‘Potassium perchlorate bursting charge #1’. This burst charge is often used in shells of middle and large diameter (6...10 inch).
Preparation:

Potassium perchlorate.............................70
Hemp coal (or Paulownia coal).....................30
Potassium bichromate..............................5
Glutinous rice starch.............................+2%

Potassium perchlorate bursting charge #4
Source: Shimizu[1]. Page 210
Comments: Shimizu lists this composition as ‘burst charge No. 46’. The potassium bichromate catalyses the decomposition of the potassium perchlorate. This composition’s sensitivity is quite low, although higher than that of black powder. The explosive force of this composition is higher than that of the ‘Potassium perchlorate bursting charge #1’, especially when the particle size of the carbon is small.
Preparation:

Potassium perchlorate.............................70
Hemp coal (or Paulownia coal).....................30
Lampblack.........................................25
Potassium bichromate..............................+5%
Glutinous rice starch.............................+2%

Smokeless flash powder
Source: "Mengen en Roeren"[6], page 224
Comments:
Preparation:

Zirconium.........................................28
Zirconium hydride.................................7
Magnesium.........................................7
Barium nitrate....................................30
Barium oxyde......................................25
Rice starch.......................................5

Photoflash
Source: Kirk-Otthmer chemical encyclopedia[8]. Chapter 'Explosives and Propellants'.
Comments: Heat of reaction: 8.989 kJ/g, Gas volume: 15 cm3/g, ignition temperature: 700°C, impact sensitivity test: 26% of TNT. half a pound of this flash delivers 120 million candlepowder. It is used in the M120A1 and M112A1 flare cartdriges.
Preparation:

Aluminum (20 micron; atomized)....................40
Potassium perchlorate (24 micron).................30
Barium nitrate (150 micron).......................30

Purple Flash
Source: rec.pyrotechnics
Comments:
Preparation:

Magnesium.........................................10
Potassium perchlorate.............................10
Cupric oxide......................................3
Strontium nitrate.................................3
PVC...............................................1

Yellow flash
Source: "Spelen met vuur"[9]
Comments:
Preparation:

Magnesium.........................................1
Sodium nitrate....................................6

Green flash
Source: rec.pyrotechnics
Comments:
Preparation:

potassium perchlorate.............................6
barium nitrate....................................3
Aluminum powder...................................5

Perchlorate/aluminum-based flash powders I
 

 

Lancaster 

Lancaster 

Lancaster 

Lancaster 

Lancaster 

Shimizu 

Ofca 

name 

European #1 

European #2 

U.S. mix #1 

U.S. mix #2 

U.S. mix #3 

Flash Thunder #1 

 

Potassium perchlorate 

66

70

67

63

60

50

60.8

Aluminum, German black

 

 

 

 

 

 

26.1

Aluminum, dark pyro

34

30

17

27

25

23

 

Sulfur

 

 

16

10

 

 

8.7

Antimony trisulfide 

 

 

 

 

15

27

 

Titanium, sponge (or flake)

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.3

Cab-O-Sil

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

Perchlorate/aluminum-based flash powders II
 

 

Shimizu 

Shimizu 

Allen

Allen 

Allen

Allen 

name 

Thunder #3 

Thunder #4 

Oma formula

Oma formula

 

Rozzi formula 

Potassium perchlorate 

64

72

62

62.5

64

50

Aluminum, dark pyro

23

28

11

12.5

18

31

Aluminum, -325 mesh

 

 

23

 

18

 

Sulfur

13

 

4

25

 

3

Antimony trisulfide 

 

 

 

 

 

16

 

Perchlorate/aluminum-based flash powders III
 

 

Pyro-Tec 

Allen 

Allen 

Allen 

Allen 

Allen 

name

 

Cba formula

Rozzi formula 

Orl formula 

Oma formula 

 

Potassium perchlorate 

50

48

61.5

57

56

62.6

Aluminum, dark pyro

25

36

23

11.5

31

26.2

Sulfur

25

 

 

28.5

13

11.2

Charcoal

 

 

 

3

 

 

Antimony trisulfide

 

16

15.5

 

 

 

 

Perchlorate/aluminum-based flash powders IV
 

 

Allen 

Klofkorn 

Allen

Allen 

Allen 

Hitt 

MC 341

name 

 

 

Craig formula 

 

Hit formula 

Patent 
1,253,597 

Mil-spec M-80 simulator

Potassium perchlorate 

58

61.5

40

25

47

46

64

Potassium nitrate

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

Sulfur

 

 

10

25

3

14

10

Antimony trisulfide

 

15.5

3

 

35

 

3.5

Aluminum, dark pyro

42

23

47

25

15

40

22.5

 

Perchlorate/aluminum-based flash powders V
 

 

Weingart 

Weingart 

PGI 

PGI 

PGI 

APFN

name

 

 

Titanium salute 

Titanium salute 

Titanium salute 

Tenge formula

Potassium perchlorate 

40

53

66

66

66

55

Sulfur

20

16

 

 

4

14

Antimony trisulfide

 

 

16.5

 

 

 

Aluminum, dark pyro

40

31

16.5

8

8

14

Aluminum, bright flake

 

 

 

26

22

 

Titanium, 30 mesh

 

 

+8 - 15

+8 - 15

+8 - 15

 

Bran (or sawdust, or wheat hulls)

 

 

 

 

 

17

 

Perchlorate/magnalium-based flash powders
 

 

PGI 

Potassium perchlorate 

50

Magnalium, -325 mesh 

50

 

Perchlorate/nitrate/aluminum-based flash powders
 

 

Allen

Allen 

Allen 

Allen 

Allen 

Degn 

name 

Young/Hitt Formula

Craig formula

 

 

 

 

Potassium perchlorate 

37

39

17

43

25

30

Barium nitrate

19

23

43

21

25

30

Sulfur

14

2

6

 

25

 

Antimony trisulfide

5

26

3

 

 

 

Aluminum, dark pyro

25

 

31

36

25

40

 

Perchlorate/magnesium-based flash powders

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.
 

 

Lancaster 

Sturman 

Degn 

Degn 

APFN 

Lindsly 

Potassium perchlorate 

38

45

50

40

40

70

Magnesium, fine

57

50

50

34

35

12

Aluminum, dark pyro 

 

 

 

26

25

18

Graphite powder

5

 

 

 

 

 

Potassium dichromate 

 

5

 

 

 

 

Cab-o-sil

 

 

 

 

+0.1

 

 

Perchlorate-based report compositions I
 

 

Allen

Allen 

Allen 

Degn 

Allen 

Davis 

Allen 

Davis 

name

 

Craig formula

 

 

 

 

Hitt 
formula 

 

Potassium perchlorate 

57

38

78

70

55

84

55

34

Barium nitrate

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sulfur

38

2

19

 

18

 

10

 

Charcoal, airfloat

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

33

Antimony trisulfide

 

25

 

 

27

 

35

 

Sodium salicylate

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

Sawdust

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosin

 

10

 

 

 

8

 

33

Benzene

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

Meal A

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paraffin

 

 

+0.1 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perchlorate-based report compositions II
 

 

Allen 

Psm 

name 

Hitt formula 

 

Potassium perchlorate 

55

59

Sulfur

3

30

Antimony trisulfide

42

 

Lampblack (or charcoal, 
airfloat) 

 

11

 

MAG/55 flash powder

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.
 

 

Gregory 

Gregory 

name

Standard MAG/55 

Superbright MAG/55 

Potassium perchlorate 

64

60

Aluminum, German black 

15

15

Aluminum, American dark 

5

 

Aluminum, bright flake

5

5

Aluminum, atomized

1

 

Magnesium, 400 mesh 

5

10

Magnesium, 200 mesh

5

10

Cab-O-Sil

+2

+2

Wood meal

+2

+2

Potassium dichromate 

+1

+1

 

Photoflash powders I

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.
 

 

Standard 
Formulary 

AMCP 

AMCP

SA Cyclopedia 

SA Cyclopedia 

name 

1899 composition

706-185 

706-185 

 

 

Potassium perchlorate 

 

 

40

 

 

Barium nitrate

 

54.5

 

 

49

Ammonium nitrate

6

 

 

 

 

Sulfur

 

 

 

 

6.5

Aluminum, flake

70.5

 

 

 

 

Magnalium, fine 

 

45.5

60

 

 

Magnesium, fine 

 

 

 

91

33

Lithium carbonate

 

 

 

4.5

 

Calcium carbonate

 

 

 

4.5

 

Lycopodium powder

23.5

 

 

 

 

Beef suet

 

 

 

 

11.5

 

Photoflash powders II

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

DANGER: Chlorate and sulfur/sulfide mixes are known to be very sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.

DANGER: Chlorate flash mixtures decompose faster than perchlorate flash mixtures and are more sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.

DANGER: Chlorate and red phosphorus mixes are extremely sensitive and highly dangerous, and can explode with little provocation. Even experienced individuals are encouraged to avoid such compositions.
 

 

Fortunes in 
Formulas

Fortunes in 
Formulas

Standard 
Formulary 

unknown 

SA Cyclopedia 

name 

 

 

1899 composition

Patent 3,674,411 

1899 composition

Potassium chlorate 

67

67

67

24.85

60

Aluminum, flake 

25

 

27

 

 

Magnesium, fine

 

33

 

 

30

Titanium powder

 

 

 

48.01

 

Sulfur

 

 

 

0.03

 

Antimony trisulfide 

 

 

 

 

10

Red phosphorus

 

 

 

24.85

 

Sucrose

8

 

6

 

 

Magnesium oxide

 

 

 

0.66

 

Sodium lignosulfonate 

 

 

 

0.23

 

Sodium 2-ethylhexyl 
sulfate

 

 

 

0.03

 

Trichlorophenol

 

 

 

0.04

 

Hydroxyethyl cellulose 

 

 

 

1.30

 

 

Photoflash powders III

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

CAUTION:Calcium metal and calcium hydride react with water exothermically to evolve hydrogen gas. Compositions containing calcium metal or calcium hydride should be sealed against moisture and not be stored.

DANGER: Potassium permanganate mixes are regarded as sensitive and unstable. They should not be stored under any circumstances.

DANGER: Chlorate flash mixtures decompose faster than perchlorate flash mixtures and are more sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.

DANGER: Barium peroxide is unstable and prone to spontaneous decomposition. Flash mixtures made with barium peroxide should not be stored under any circumstances, and extreme caution must be exercised when handling such compositions.
 

 

unknown 

TM1316

SA Cyclopedia 

MC277 

Ellern

PSM

name 

Patent 
2,098,341 

 

1899 composition 

 

#50

 

Potassium perchlorate

 

 

 

 

80

24

Strontium perchlorate 

 

20

 

 

 

 

Potassium chlorate

 

 

 

 

 

14

Potassium permanganate

 

 

40

 

 

 

Barium nitrate

 

 

 

54.5

 

34

Barium peroxide

 

 

20

 

 

 

Aluminum, flake 

12.5

 

 

+4

 

 

Magnesium, fine 

54

 

40

 

 

28

Magnalium, fine

 

 

 

45.5

 

 

Calcium/magnesium 75/25 

 

80

 

 

 

 

Calcium metal

 

 

 

 

20

 

Calcium carbonate 

21

 

 

 

 

 

Magnesium oxide 

4.5

 

 

 

 

 

Silica

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photoflash powders IV

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

CAUTION:Calcium metal and calcium hydride react with water exothermically to evolve hydrogen gas. Compositions containing calcium metal or calcium hydride should be sealed against moisture and not be stored.


 

 

AMCP

Kirk-Otthmer

AMCP 

Ellern

Ellern 

TM1316

name 

706-185 

 

M46 Photoflash 
Bomb 

#49

#48

Pfp 054

Potassium perchlorate 

 

30

40

50

49

 

Barium nitrate

60

30

 

 

 

60 (21µ)

Aluminum, flake

10

40

26

20

31

9 (1.4µ)

Aluminum, atomized 

30

 

 

 

 

31 (16µ)

Magnesium, fine

 

 

34

 

 

 

Calcium metal

 

 

 

30

 

 

Calcium fluoride

 

 

 

 

20

 

 

Photoflash powders V

CAUTION:Calcium metal and calcium hydride react with water exothermically to evolve hydrogen gas. Compositions containing calcium metal or calcium hydride should be sealed against moisture and not be stored.
 

 

Ellern 

TM1316 

TM1316

TM1316 

TM1316 

TM1316 

TM1316

name 

#47

Pfp 648 

Pfp 661

Pfp 673 

Pfp 675 

Pfp 679

Pfp 685

Potassium perchlorate 

60

 

 

67

80

 

 

Sodium perchlorate 

 

 

15

 

 

57

 

Strontium nitrate

 

 

 

 

 

 

70 (30µ)

Barium nitrate

 

50 (147µ) 

 

 

 

 

 

Aluminum, flake 

40

50

 

 

 

43

 

Aluminum, atomized

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 (16µ) 

Silicon 

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

Calcium

 

 

85

 

 

 

 

Boron

 

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

Photoflash powders VI

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

CAUTION:Calcium metal and calcium hydride react with water exothermically to evolve hydrogen gas. Compositions containing calcium metal or calcium hydride should be sealed against moisture and not be stored.
 

 

TM1316

TM1316

TM1316 

TM1316 

TM1316 

TM1316

TM1316 

name 

Pfp 694

Pfp 695

Pfp 716

Pfp 717

Pfp 718

Pfp 723

Pfp 726

Potassium perchlorate 

 

35

56

72

20

45

43

Sodium perchlorate 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aluminum, atomized

10 (16µ)

 

 

 

 

20 (16µ)

27

Calcium hydride

53

65

 

 

 

 

 

Calcium/magnesium 75/25 

 

 

 

 

 

35

 

Calcium fluoride

 

 

 

 

 

 

30

Potassium borohydride 

 

 

44

28

80

 

 

 

Photoflash powders VII

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

DANGER: Chlorate and sulfur/sulfide mixes are known to be very sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.

DANGER: Chlorate flash mixtures decompose faster than perchlorate flash mixtures and are more sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.
 

 

TM1316

SA Cyclopedia

SA Cyclopedia

unknown 

name 

Pfp 699

Slow photoflash 

Slow photoflash 

Patent 3,726,728

Potassium perchlorate 

20

 

 

 

Sodium perchlorate

 

 

 

31.4 (+60)

Lithium perchlorate

 

 

 

68.6

Potassium chlorate

 

18

9

 

Barium nitrate

 

10

36

 

Sulfur

 

 

6

 

Aluminum, flake

 

 

 

(+40)

Magnesium, fine

 

36

30

 

Calcium/magnesium 75/25 

80

 

 

 

Shellac

 

36

 

 

Beef suet

 

 

19

 

 

Chlorate/aluminum-based flash powders I

DANGER: Chlorate and sulfur/sulfide mixes are known to be very sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.

DANGER: Chlorate flash mixtures decompose faster than perchlorate flash mixtures and are more sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.
 

 

Shimizu 

Klofkorn 

Allen 

Pyro-Tec

Allen 

Davis 

name

Flash Thunder #2

Firecracker mix 

 

 

 

 

Potassium chlorate 

43

27

63

67

52

64

Potassium perchlorate 

 

29

 

 

 

 

Antimony trisulfide 

26

14

9

 

32

9

Sulfur

 

10

18

 

 

16

Sucrose

 

 

 

8

 

 

Aluminum, dark pyro

31

20

10

25

16

9

 

Chlorate/aluminum-based flash powders II

DANGER: Chlorate and sulfur/sulfide mixes are known to be very sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.

DANGER: Chlorate/realgar mixes are extremely sensitive and highly dangerous, and can explode with little provocation. Even experienced individuals are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

DANGER: Chlorate flash mixtures decompose faster than perchlorate flash mixtures and are more sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.
 

 

Allen

Degn 

Allen 

Allen

Allen 

Allen 

Allen 

Allen 

Howell Labs 

name 

 

 

 

Rozzi 
formula 

Rozzi 
formula 

 

 

Rozzi 
formula 

 

Potassium chlorate 

61.5

50

41

67

55

61.5

30

50

30

Potassium nitrate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

Barium nitrate

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aluminum, dark pyro 

23

16

16

16.5

27

15

40

25

25

Sulfur

 

 

 

16.5

 

8.5

30

25

25

Antimony trisulfide 

15.5

16

6

 

18

15

 

 

 

Realgar

 

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lampblack

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barium carbonate

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chlorate/aluminum-based flash powders III

DANGER: Chlorate and sulfur/sulfide mixes are known to be very sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.

DANGER: Chlorate flash mixtures decompose faster than perchlorate flash mixtures and are more sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.
 

 

Weingart 

Allen 

Allen 

Potassium chlorate 

55

47

61.5

Sulfur

27

 

 

Antimony trisulfide

 

6

8

Aluminum, dark pyro 

9

47

30.5

Charcoal

9

 

 

 

Chlorate/magnesium-based flash powders

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

DANGER: Chlorate flash mixtures decompose faster than perchlorate flash mixtures and are more sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.
 

 

Pyro-Tec 

Pyro-Tec 

Potassium chlorate 

69

43

Magnesium

31

57

 

Chlorate-based report compositions I

DANGER: Chlorate and red phosphorus/realgar mixes are extremely sensitive and highly dangerous, and can explode with little provocation. Even experienced individuals are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

DANGER: Chlorate and sulfur/sulfide mixes are known to be very sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.
 

 

Shimizu 

Shimizu

Chemical
Formulary

Allen 

Allen

Allen

name 

Red Explosive 

Toy Pistol Cap 

 

 

Lang formula 

 

Potassium chlorate 

63

60

8

58

63

74

Potassium nitrate

 

 

45

 

 

 

Red gum

 

 

 

 

 

19

Realgar

37

 

 

 

 

 

Antimony trisulfide 

 

 

 

33

 

 

Charcoal

 

 

25

 

3

5

Red phosphorus 

 

8

 

 

 

 

Sulfur

 

32

18

 

32

 

Rosin

 

 

 

9

 

 

Zinc carbonate

 

 

 

 

1

 

Stearin

 

 

 

 

1

 

Sand

 

 

4

 

 

 

Dextrin

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Chlorate-based report compositions II

DANGER: Chlorate and sulfur/sulfide mixes are known to be very sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.
 

 

Allen

Allen 

Davis

Weingart

Howell Labs 

Allen

Allen 

name

 

Rozzi formula 

 

 

 

 

 

Potassium chlorate 

57

50

50

67

63

50

55

Potassium nitrate 

 

 

 

 

11

 

 

Sulfur

 

12.5

 

22

21

 

 

Charcoal, airfloat

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

Antimony trisulfide 

29

37.5

50

 

5

 

36

Antimony powder

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

Rosin

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red gum

 

 

 

 

 

25

9

 

Chlorate-based report compositions III

DANGER: Chlorate and sulfur/sulfide mixes are known to be very sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.
 

 

Allen 

Allen 

Howell Labs 

Weingart 

Weingart 

Faber 

Potassium chlorate 

57

56

56

60

60

67

Potassium nitrate

 

 

 

12

 

 

Sulfur

 

 

31

23

30

16.5

Antimony trisulfide 

33

15

 

5

 

 

Charcoal, airfloat 

 

 

 

 

10

16.5

Lampblack

 

 

13