pudidotdk Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumbles Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 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: 54C: 33S: 11Dex:2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frozentech Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 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: 54C: 33S: 11Dex: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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weknowpyro Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pudidotdk Posted February 15, 2007 Author Share Posted February 15, 2007 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: 54C: 33S: 11Dex:2 Do you do anything exept mixing the chemicals, like, do you dampen it with an alcohol solution and dry it, or what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumbles Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frozentech Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 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: 54C: 33S: 11Dex:2Do 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hst45 Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocket Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 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: 54C: 33S: 11Dex: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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frozentech Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 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: 54C: 33S: 11Dex: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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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