~ Pyrotechnic Formulas ~

Acetone (2-Propanone) [C₃H₆O]
Flammable liquid used as a solvent in pyrotechnics (i.e., in mixtures that can't contain water).  Nitrocellulose can be dissolved in it to create nitrocellulose lacquer, which can be used as an adhesive or a waterproof coating.  Acetone is hard to work with because it evaporates so quickly, thus making the composition cold and causing water to condense.

Aluminum [Al]
Most widely used fuel in modern pyrotechnics; produces a brilliant, bright flame.  The particles come in several of different shapes, such as flakes and grains.  

Ammonium Chloride [NH₃•HCl]
Used in white smoke compositions.  When burned, it decomposes into HCl and NH_3, then quickly re-combines in the air to form a fine smoke of ammonium chloride particles.

Ammonium Nitrate [NH₄NO3]
Oxidizer used in high explosives (such as ANFO), but not commonly used in fireworks due to its hygroscopicity.

Ammonium Perchlorate [NH₄ClO₄]
Slow-burning, widely-used oxidizer.  Though many rich colors can be made with it, the burn rate is too slow for use in star compositions.   However, it is ideal for use in lances and torches, where slow-burning is an advantage.  Since all of the decomposition products are gases, it is also used in rocket propellants (such as the Solid Rocket Boosters on the Space Shuttle).

Antimony Trisulfide (Antimony Sulfide, realgar) [Sb₂S₃]
A fuel sometimes used in glitter and fountain compositions to create the color white.  At one point it was used in flash compositions, but it was poisonous and extremely sensitive to shock and static electricity.  Comes in two forms - "Chinese Needle" and "Dark Pyro".  The former is used in glitter compositions and white comets/stars.  The latter is used to sharpen the report of salutes and increase the sensitivity of flash powder.  

Barium Carbonate  [BaCO₃]
Functions as a green color agent when burned with chlorine present (from the formation of BaCl+), burns white by itself (with oxygen, creating BaO).  Can also be used to reduce acidity in chorate-based color compositions. 

Barium Chlorate  [BaClO₃ ]
Used as an oxidizer in green color compositions.

Barium Nitrate [Ba(NO₃)₂]
Can be used as both a green color agent and an oxidizer.  Functions as a green color agent when burned with chlorine present (from the formation of BaCl+), burns white by itself (with oxygen, creating BaO)

Barium Sulfate [BaSO₄]
Used as a high-temperature oxidizer in metal-based green color compositions.

Benzoic Acid [C₆H₅COOH]
Used to make metallic benzoates.

Bismuth Trioxide [Bi₂O₃]
Used as a non-toxic alternative to lead tetraoxide to make crackling stars.

Bismuth Subcarbonate [(BiO)₂CO₃]
Also used as a non-toxic alternative to lead tetraoxide to make crackling stars.

Boric Acid [H₃BO₃]
Weak acid in a powder form which is added to compositions containing aluminum or magnesium and a nitrate.  Metals react with nitrates to form amides, which can further react with the metal powder to create a highly exothermic reaction which could spontaneouly ignite the compound.  Even a few percent boric acid added to the mixture will neutralize any amides that form.

Cab-O-Sil (fumed silica, colloidal silica) [SiO₂]
Used as an anti-caking agent and to prevent hygroscopic chemicals from absorbing water from the air.  Sometimes used in flash powders.

Calcium Carbonate (chalk) [CaCO₃]
[CaCO₃]
[CaCO₃]
Used as a color agent in orange star compositions, or as an acid-absorber.

Calcium Sulfate [CaSO₄• xH₂O, where x = 0, 2, 3, 5]
Calcium sulfate anhydrate (where x = 0) can be used as a high temperature oxidizer in orange color compositions or in strobe compositions.

Charcoal (Carbon) [C]
Charcoal is used very widely in pyrotechnics.  Charcoal is the by-product of the burning of organic substances.  It contains impurities which make is more reactive, and therefore is used more often than pure carbon in fireworks.  It can be made from many types of wood.  Charcoal from soft woods, such as grape vine or willow, is good for fast-burning compositions like black powder, whereas charcoal from hard woods like pine are used to create long-lasting spark effects.  Very fine charcoal is known as air float.  Another type of fine charcoal called lampblack.

Clay (bentonite, sodium aluminum silicate)
Powder used for plugs and nozzles in fountains, drivers, rockets, and other devices.  Can also be made into a paste if mixed with water.

Confectioners Sugar (sucrose, table sugar) [C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁]
Can be used with an oxidizer such as potassium nitrate to create smoke devices or rocket fuel.

Copper Acetoarsenite (paris green) [Cu₃As₂O₃Cu(C₂H₃O₂) ₂]
The best blue color agent.  It is extremely poisonous, however, and is hardly ever used in modern pyrotechnics.

Copper Benzoate [Cu(C₆H₅COO)₂]
Can be used as a fuel in blue color compositions.  Not often used because it is expensive

Copper(II) Carbonate [CuCO₃]
Light green powder used as a blue color agent.

Copper Chlorate (Hexahydrate) [Cu(ClO₃)₂•6H₂O]
Used as an oxidizer is blue color compositions.

Copper(II) Chloride (campfire blue) [CuCl₂]
Brownish-yellow compound used as a blue color agent.

Copper Chromite [CuCr₂O₄]
Can be used as a catalyst in rocket propellants.  It is added in small quantities (1-5%) to rocket fuels and whistle compositions to increase the burn rate.

 

Copper(II) Oxide [CuO]
Black powder used as a blue color agent.

 

Copper Oxychloride [3CuO•CuCl₂•3.5H₂O]
Green powder used as a blue color agent.