How to Make Flash Powder
Get a license., Acquire aluminum powder and potassium perchlorate., Treat your work area with an anti-static spray., Mix your ingredients., Don't use a match when lighting it, use fuse to light the powder from a safe distance and enjoy the explosion.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Get a license.
Contact the ATF online, and download their application to be a licensed fireworks maker.
This will make sourcing and purchasing the ingredients much easier, as most U.S. businesses will not risk selling the ingredients, especially if they think you are using it to make a bomb.
The liability for them is too great to risk it. -
Step 2: Acquire aluminum powder and potassium perchlorate.
There are U.S. federal restrictions on these items.
For example, aluminum powder is limited to two pounds a year without a ATF High Explosives Manufacturing license, and a potassium perchlorate could get you investigated by the Fed and/or the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
They mean business.
Search for fireworks supply houses or hobby chemical retailers for sources 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). , You can purchase commercial anti-static sprays, or make your own from a 9:1 mixture of water and fabric softener.
Do not omit this step.
A static discharge can ignite the powder, resulting in an explosion that could ruin your whole day, or your whole house, or send bits of you flying into the neighbor's yard.
The correct ratio of potassium perchlorate to aluminum for any quantity of flash powder is 7:3.To make a 5g mix (perfectly suitable for a small bang), weigh out
3.5 grams of the potassium and
1.5 gram of the aluminum.ie a 7:3 mix , Do not stir, crush, press, or stand upon the mix.
Though most flash powders are not impact sensitive, it is very easy to make a very, very unstable mixture.
The best way to mix the powders together 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. , -
Step 3: Treat your work area with an anti-static spray.
-
Step 4: Mix your ingredients.
-
Step 5: Don't use a match when lighting it
-
Step 6: use fuse to light the powder from a safe distance and enjoy the explosion.
Detailed Guide
Contact the ATF online, and download their application to be a licensed fireworks maker.
This will make sourcing and purchasing the ingredients much easier, as most U.S. businesses will not risk selling the ingredients, especially if they think you are using it to make a bomb.
The liability for them is too great to risk it.
There are U.S. federal restrictions on these items.
For example, aluminum powder is limited to two pounds a year without a ATF High Explosives Manufacturing license, and a potassium perchlorate could get you investigated by the Fed and/or the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
They mean business.
Search for fireworks supply houses or hobby chemical retailers for sources 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). , You can purchase commercial anti-static sprays, or make your own from a 9:1 mixture of water and fabric softener.
Do not omit this step.
A static discharge can ignite the powder, resulting in an explosion that could ruin your whole day, or your whole house, or send bits of you flying into the neighbor's yard.
The correct ratio of potassium perchlorate to aluminum for any quantity of flash powder is 7:3.To make a 5g mix (perfectly suitable for a small bang), weigh out
3.5 grams of the potassium and
1.5 gram of the aluminum.ie a 7:3 mix , Do not stir, crush, press, or stand upon the mix.
Though most flash powders are not impact sensitive, it is very easy to make a very, very unstable mixture.
The best way to mix the powders together 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. ,
About the Author
Bryan Kelly
Bryan Kelly specializes in digital media and internet and has been creating helpful content for over 3 years. Bryan is committed to helping readers learn new skills and improve their lives.
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