Flash powder is the stuff that makes flares flare, fireworks explode, and other fun explosions. Flash powder is a rapidly-burning mixture of an oxidizer and a fuel (commonly potassium perchlorate and aluminum powder). Flash powder is volatile and can cause serious injury or death; it should be only produced and handled under the guidance of someone experienced in its use.
Step 1 Acquire aluminum powder and potassium perchlorate
Remember these chemicals are very dangerous and often quite expensive. Do try to source them legitimately.
- It may be necessary to grind the aluminum powder in a strainer in order to work out the lumps. The powder must be 400-600 mesh (measure of how fine the powder is).
Step 2 Treat your work area with an anti-static spray
You can purchase commercial anti-static sprays, or make your own from a 9:1 mixture of water and fabric softener.
Step 3 Weigh your ingredients
- The correct ratio of potassium perchlorate to aluminum for any quantity of flash powder is 7:3.
- To make a 3.5g mix (perfectly suitable for a small "bang"), weigh out 2.5 grams of the potassium and 1 gram of the aluminum.
Step 4
Mix your ingredients. Do not stir, crush, press, or stand upon the mix. Though most flash powders are not impact sensitive, you may have unwittingly made a very, very unstable concoction.
- The best way to mix the powders together is to put them on a sheet of paper and tilt and shake the sheet, so that the chemicals roll over each other and mix slowly.
- Another method is to pour all of the chemicals into a ziploc bag, spray it with anti-static spray, and slowly mix the chemicals by shaking the bag. However, there is some debate as to the safety of this method, so if you do use it be sure to spray the bag with anti-static spray in order to reduce the chance injury.
A common method for commercially prepared flash powders is to combine the two powders in a capped plastic bottle and roll it gently between your hands to mix the powders.
- Put the powder in the place that you will be lighting it, as it is now ready for ignition. When lighting it, don't hold a match to it. Use fuse to light the powder from a safe distance and enjoy the explosion.
Tips
- Make sure that there are no lumps in the powders before you mix them.
- Try throwing some loose powder into an open fire - outside only - It makes pretty colours.
Warnings
- Flash powder mixtures containing sulfur are unstable and may spontaneously combust. Do not use these.
- Always get your hands away from the ignition source or else you may get burned!
- Never compress a flash powder. When ignited, a compressed flash powder will explode.
- Never ignite indoors. The smoke and fumes are usually toxic and the fire will more than likely burn your house down. You will probably be blinded from the smoke and light and will more than likely fail to escape and burn to death.
- Outdoors is always your best bet to avoid any mishaps when lighting the powder.
- Do not stare directly at the explosion, as it is extremely bright and may damage your eyes.
- Never ingest any chemicals. Some oxidants are genetically damaging. Others just kill you.
- Always wash your hands after handling chemicals.
- If you are inexperienced don't even attempt to make any pyrotechnics.
- This is illegal in Australia, the UK, and the US without a license so do not try to make it as you may get caught and go to jail
Things You'll Need
- Potassium perchlorate
- Aluminum powder
- Anti-static spray
- Ziploc Bag
- Scale
?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_powder?http://www.instructables.com/id/EYZKNFWM0LEPUCHXJ2/?http://www.metacafe.com/watch/733348/how_to_make_flash_powder_the_best_method/?http://www.i-hacked.com/content/view/14/48/
