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Delay powder with KNO3


pudidotdk

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As I live a place where it's hard to get chemicals I only have a small selection of oxidizers. (KNO3, NH4NO3, KMnO4... That's 3!)

 

Is it possible to make a usable delay composistions usable for roman candles or rockets with potassium nitrate as the only oxidizer? I searched a little on google, but didn't find anything....

 

Thanks!

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It definatly is. Generally they are BP comps overloaded with charcoal. The below comp is specifically for roman candles. I have heard of people using KNO3:sugar comp as a delay as well.

 

Here's one from Davis:

 

KNO3: 54

C: 33

S: 11

Dex:2

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It definatly is. Generally they are BP comps overloaded with charcoal. The below comp is specifically for roman candles. I have heard of people using KNO3:sugar comp as a delay as well.

 

Here's one from Davis:

 

KNO3: 54

C: 33

S: 11

Dex:2

That's the exact one I use, except I add 7% FeTi so it changed color to gold so I know the delay is burning.

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This is just a copy of my post on UK Pyrotechnic forum. I have used it numerous times now and it works extremly well.

 

My roman candles ussally use stars of about 1/2". The delay mix i use is very effective and i use about 5g of it between each star and this gives about a 3-4 second delay.

The compostion is from the RSOC book 'The chemistry of fireworks'.

Roman Candle delay mix-

 

KN03- 52g

 

Soft grain blackpowder- 22g

 

Charcoal 40 mesh- 21g

 

Red Gum-5g

 

I then ball mill this together for about 4 hours.

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It definatly is. Generally they are BP comps overloaded with charcoal. The below comp is specifically for roman candles. I have heard of people using KNO3:sugar comp as a delay as well.

 

Here's one from Davis:

 

KNO3: 54

C: 33

S: 11

Dex:2

Do you do anything exept mixing the chemicals, like, do you dampen it with an alcohol solution and dry it, or what?

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I see no point in the 40 mesh charcoal if you're going to ball mill it. Even without ball milling, I really see no point, just adds sparks I suppose.

 

As far as what do do with the comp I gave, no idea. Never used it as a delay in roman candles. The only roman candle I've ever made was with the saw dust and visco method, and that went off like a machine gun. I didn't tamp the saw dust enough I guess.

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It definatly is.  Generally they are BP comps overloaded with charcoal.  The below comp is specifically for roman candles.  I have heard of people using KNO3:sugar comp as a delay as well.

 

Here's one from Davis:

 

KNO3: 54

C: 33

S: 11

Dex:2

Do you do anything exept mixing the chemicals, like, do you dampen it with an alcohol solution and dry it, or what?

If your chems are all very fine mesh, just screen them together, then add any metals, dampen *slightly* and granulate it like pulverone. Something I do especially with rocket fuel, is make the comp, holding out half the charcoal, mill for 45 minutes, then add the remaining charcoal.

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For a delay in roman candles, you can use your standard BP meal and screen in between 10% to 15% baking soda. It works great. A higher percentage will yield a tube-choking residue, but a teaspoon of this delay in a 1/2" I.D. candle will give you about a four second delay between stars.
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It definatly is. Generally they are BP comps overloaded with charcoal. The below comp is specifically for roman candles. I have heard of people using KNO3:sugar comp as a delay as well.

 

Here's one from Davis:

 

KNO3: 54

C: 33

S: 11

Dex:2

 

Is this delay comp ment to leave a lot of ash behind? I made it up with a coffee ground chems so that may be the problem if there is one at all.

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It definatly is.  Generally they are BP comps overloaded with charcoal.  The below comp is specifically for roman candles.  I have heard of people using KNO3:sugar comp as a delay as well.

 

Here's one from Davis:

 

KNO3: 54

C: 33

S: 11

Dex:2

 

Is this delay comp ment to leave a lot of ash behind? I made it up with a coffee ground chems so that may be the problem if there is one at all.

The 'ash' is blown out of the roman candle as sparks, or as a golden spark trail on a rocket.

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