Pillbox Stars
From PyroGuide
Pillbox star mixes are faster burning compositions than regular star formulas. This is mainly due to the pillbox star being larger than a regular star and at effect time it burns from both ends which produces a larger flame envelope (visible burning area).
Contents |
Pink and Silver Mix
Composition
| Potassium perchlorate | 68 |
| Strontium carbonate | 14 |
| Strontium nitrate | 2 |
| Red gum | 6 |
| Aluminium (Bright) | 4 |
| Aluminium (Flake small) | 3 |
| Aluminium (Flake medium to large) | 3 |
| Dextrin | +2 |
Method
Grind the potassium perchlorate and strontium nitrate in a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder until it is a very fine powder (like talcum powder). The same needs to be done to the red gum, strontium carbonate and dextrin if not already in a talcum powder state. Remember, never grind oxidizers and fuels together. Pass all the ingredients several times through a mesh screen to break up any lumps and once you have a homogeneous mix, put it in a small container and moisten with a 25% solution of alcohol.
To do this, mix up a solution of about 75% water and 25% isopropyl alcohol (do not add any more than 25% alcohol). The alcohol makes the water wetter by breaking down the surface tension of the composition and allows the water to be absorbed easier. The drying time of a composition is also reduced as alcohol evaporates faster than water.
Add some of the solution to the composition and mix well. Keep adding until it is damp enough to clump together if you squeezed an amount in your hand. Don't make the mixture too wet or it will make loading the composition impossible. If this happens, just add more dry mix.
Red Electric Mix
Composition
| Potassium perchlorate | 70 |
| Strontium carbonate | 12 |
| Red gum | 6 |
| Aluminium (Bright) | 6 |
| Aluminium (Flitter fine) | 3 |
| Charcoal (Airfloat) | 3 |
Method
Grind the potassium perchlorate by itself in a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder until it is a very fine powder (like talcum powder). The same needs to be done to the red gum, strontium carbonate and charcoal if not already in a talcum powder state. Remember, never grind oxidizers and fuels together. Pass all the ingredients several times through a mesh screen to break up any lumps and once you have a homogeneous mix, put it in a small container and moisten with a 25% solution of alcohol.
To do this, mix up a solution of about 80% water and 20% isopropyl alcohol (do not add any more than 25% alcohol). The alcohol makes the water wetter by breaking down the surface tension of the composition and allows the water to be absorbed easier. The drying time of a composition is also reduced as alcohol evaporates faster than water.
Add some of the solution to the composition and mix well. Keep adding until it is damp enough to clump together if you squeezed an amount in your hand. Don't make the mixture too wet or it will make loading the composition impossible. If this happens, just add more dry mix.
Red Mix (Lancaster)
Composition
| Potassium perchlorate | 70 |
| Strontium carbonate | 15 |
| Red gum | 9 |
| Charcoal (150 mesh) | 2 |
| Dextrin | 4 |
Method
Grind the potassium perchlorate by itself in a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder until it is a very fine powder (like talcum powder). The same needs to be done to the strontium carbonate, red gum and dextrin if not already in a talcum powder state. Remember, never grind oxidizers and fuels together. Pass all the ingredients several times through a mesh screen to break up any lumps and once you have a homogeneous mix, put it in a small container and moisten with a 25% solution of alcohol.
To do this, mix up a solution of about 75% water and 25% isopropyl alcohol (do not add any more than 25% alcohol). The alcohol makes the water wetter by breaking down the surface tension of the composition and allows the water to be absorbed easier. The drying time of a composition is also reduced as alcohol evaporates faster than water.
Add some of the solution to the composition and mix well. Keep adding until it is damp enough to clump together if you squeezed an amount in your hand. Don't make the mixture too wet or it will make loading the composition impossible. If this happens, just add more dry mix.
Yellow Mix (Lancaster)
Composition
| Potassium perchlorate | 70 |
| Sodium oxalate | 14 |
| Red gum | 6 |
| Shellac (80 mesh) | 6 |
| Dextrin | 4 |
Method
Grind the potassium perchlorate by itself in a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder until it is a very fine powder (like talcum powder). The same needs to be done to the red gum and dextrin if not already in a talcum powder state. Remember, never grind oxidizers and fuels together. Pass all the ingredients several times through a mesh screen to break up any lumps and once you have a homogeneous mix, put it in a small container and moisten with a 25% solution of alcohol.
To do this, mix up a solution of about 75% water and 25% isopropyl alcohol (do not add any more than 25% alcohol). The alcohol makes the water wetter by breaking down the surface tension of the composition and allows the water to be absorbed easier. The drying time of a composition is also reduced as alcohol evaporates faster than water.
Add some of the solution to the composition and mix well. Keep adding until it is damp enough to clump together if you squeezed an amount in your hand. Don't make the mixture too wet or it will make loading the composition impossible. If this happens, just add more dry mix.