Flash powder

Normally, flash powder mixtures are compounded to achieve a

particular purpose. These mixtures range from extremely fast-
burning mixtures designed to produce a maximum audio report,
to mixtures designed to burn slowly and provide large amounts
of illumination, to mixtures that were formerly used in
photography.

Aluminium and chlorate

Because of the above-mentioned instability, the combination of
aluminium powder and potassium chlorate is a poor choice for
flash powder that is to be stored for more than a very short
period. For that reason, it has been largely replaced by the
potassium perchlorate mixtures. Chlorate mixes are used when
cost is the overriding concern because potassium chlorate is less
expensive than perchlorate. It is critically important to exclude
sulfur and any acidic components from these mixtures.
Sometimes a few percent of bicarbonate or carbonate buffer is
added to the mixture to ensure the absence of acidic impurities.
6 KClO3 + 10 Al → 3 K2O + 5 Al2O3 + 3 Cl2
The composition is approximately 70% KClO3 : 30% Al by
weight for the reactants of the above stoichiometrically balanced
equation.

Potassium nitrate, aluminium and sulfur

This composition, usually in a ratio of 5 parts potassium nitrate,
to 3 parts aluminium powder, to 2 parts sulfur, is especially
popular with hobbyists. It is not very quick-burning, unless
exceptionally fine ingredients are used. Although it incorporates
sulfur, it is in fact fairly stable, sustaining multiple hits from a
hammer onto a hard surface. Adding 2% of its weight with boric
acid is reputed to significantly increase stability and shelf life,
through resistance to dampening through ambient humidity.
Other ratios such as 6 KNO3/3 Al/2 S and 5 KNO3/2 Al/3 S
also exist and work. All ratios have similar burn times and
strength, although 5 KNO3/3 Al/2 S seems to be dominant.
2 KNO3 + 4 Al + S → K2S + N2 + 2 Al2O3
The composition is approximately 59% KNO3 : 31.6% Al : 9.4%
S by weight for the reactants of the above stoichiometrically
balanced equation.
For best results, "German Dark" aluminium should be used, with
airfloat sulfur, and finely ball milled pure potassium nitrate. The
finished mixture should never be ball milled together.

Aluminium and perchlorate

Aluminium powder and potassium perchlorate are the only two
components of the pyrotechnic industry standard flash powder.
It provides a great balance of stability and power, and is the
composition used in most commercial exploding fireworks.
aka A B mixture
The balanced equation for the reaction is:
3 KClO4 + 8 Al → 3 KCl + 4 Al2O3
A ratio of seven parts potassium perchlorate to three parts dark
pyro aluminium is the composition used by most
pyrotechnicians. The stoichiometric ratio is 34.2% aluminum by
mass to 65.8% perchlorate by mass.
For best results, the aluminium powder should be "Dark Pyro"
grade, with a flake particle shape, and a particle size of fewer
than 10 micrometres. The KClO4 should be in powder form, free
from clumps. It can be sieved through a screen, if necessary, to
remove any clumps prior to use. The particle size of the
perchlorate is not as critical as that of the aluminium component,
as much less energy is required to decompose the KClO4 than is
needed to melt the aluminium into the liquid state required for
the reaction.
Although this composition is fairly insensitive, it should be
treated with care and respect. Hobbyist pyrotechnicians usually
use a method called diapering, in which the materials are poured
separately onto a large piece of paper, which is then alternately
lifted at each corner to roll the composition over itself and mix
the components. Some amateur pyrotechnicians choose to mix
the composition by shaking in a closed paper container, as this is
much quicker and more effective than diapering. One method of
mixing flash is to put the components in the final device and
handling the device will mix the flash powder. Paper/cardboard
is chosen over other materials such as plastic as a result of its
favorable triboelectric properties.
Large quantities should never be mixed in a single batch. Large
quantities are not only more difficult to handle safely, but they
place innocent bystanders within the area at risk. In the event of
accidental ignition, debris from a multiple-pound flash powder
explosion can be thrown hundreds of feet with sufficient force to
kill or injure. (Note: 25 grams of mixture is enough to explode
in open air without constraint other than air pressure.)
No matter the quantity, care must always be taken to prevent any
electrostatic discharge or friction during mixing or handling, as
these may cause accidental ignition.

Magnesium and nitrate

Another flash composition common among amateurs consists of
magnesium powder and potassium nitrate. Other metal nitrates
have been used, including barium and strontium nitrates.
Compositions using nitrate and magnesium metal have been
used as photographic flash powders almost since the invention
of photography. Potassium nitrate/magnesium flash powder
should be mixed and used immediately and not stored due to its
tendency of self-ignition.
If magnesium isn't a very fine powder it can be passivated with
linseed oil or potassium dichromate.The passivated magnesium
flash powder is stable and safe to store.
2 KNO3 + 5 Mg → K2O + N2 + 5 MgO
The composition is approximately 50% KNO3 : 50% Mg by
weight for the reactants of the above stoichiometrically balanced
equation. Below is the same reaction but invlolving barium
nitrate.
Ba(NO3)2 + 5 Mg → BaO + N2 + 5 MgO
Mixtures designed to make reports are substantially different
from mixtures designed for illumination. A stoichiometric ratio
of three parts KNO3 to two parts Mg is close to ideal and
provides the most rapid burn. The magnesium powder should be
smaller than 200 mesh, though up to 100 mesh will work. The
potassium nitrate should be impalpable dust. This mixture is
popular in amateur pyrotechnics because it is insensitive and
relatively safe as such things go.
For photographic use, mixtures containing magnesium and
nitrates are made much more fuel rich. The excess magnesium is
volatilized by the reaction and burns in air providing additional
light. In addition, the higher concentration of fuel results in a
slower burn, providing more of a "poof" and less of a "bang"
when ignited. A formula from 1917 specifies 5 parts of
magnesium to 6 parts of barium nitrate for a stoichiometry of
nine parts fuel to one part oxidizer.[2] Modern recreations of
photographic flash powders may avoid the use of barium salts
because of their toxic nature. A mixture of five parts 80 mesh
magnesium to one part of potassium nitrate provides a good
white flash without being too violent. Fuel rich flash powders
are also used in theatrical flash pots.
Magnesium based compositions degrade over long periods, as
magnesium does not form a passivating oxide coating, meaning
the metallic Mg will slowly react with atmospheric oxygen and
moisture. As written above,Mg can be passivated. In military
pyrotechnics involving magnesium fuels, external oxygen can be
excluded by using hermetically sealed canisters. Commercial
photographic flash powders are sold as two-part mixtures, to be
combined immediately before use.
Magnesium and PTFE
A flash composition designed specifically to generate flares that
are exceptionally bright in the infrared portion of the spectrum
use a mixture of pyro-grade magnesium and powdered
polytetrafluoroethylene. These flares are used as decoys from
aircraft that might be subject to heat-seeking missile fire.
2n Mg + (C2F4))n → 2n MgF2 (s) + 2n C (s)

Antimony trisulfide and chlorate

This mixture, and similar mixtures sometimes containing pyro
aluminium have been used since the early 1900s for small
"Black Cat" style paper firecrackers. Its extremely low cost
makes it popular among manufacturers of low-grade fireworks
in China. Like all mixtures containing chlorates, it is extremely
sensitive to friction, impact and ESD, and is considered unsafe
in pyrotechnic devices that contain more than a few tens of
milligrams of the mixture.
18 KClO3 + 5 Sb2S3 → 5 Sb2O3 + 15 SO2 + 9 K2O + 9 Cl2
This mixture is not highly energetic, and in at least some parts of
the United States, firecrackers containing 50 mg or less of this
mixture are legal as consumer fireworks.