Sulphurstan Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Does anybody has a reliable falls (rain) composition to share?I ve just tried out one found in FPP (Lancaster):-kno3 41-Al 49-S 4-SGRS 6 The author says that Al flitter can be used, in order to get falls that can reach 3 meters ! For me it was a desaster, couldn't even get it ignited!!!!My flitter is Al flakes, 0.3-1mm. I want to make some nice silver rains for new years eve. I couldn't find such a comp on the forum. Thanx in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumbles Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 How were you trying to light it? The most common way is to mix some of the waterfall composition with some BP (maybe 50:50), and then use a little BP on the end to light it. Also, you are sure the waterfall tubes were dry, right? Your aluminum is probably also too coarse to be used for 100% of the composition. A blend of fine to coarse flake aluminums is most often used. You might want to check out the waterfall section of Lancaster to see some other typical formulas. The specific one you mention is sort of buried in among the portion written by Shimizu, and is kind of mentioned off handedly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkokpyro Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 Try Winocur's Silver C comp for waterfalls. Lights easily and makes a very pretty waterfall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sulphurstan Posted October 30, 2017 Author Share Posted October 30, 2017 Thank you both for your replies. Paul, I couldn't find winokurs silver c on my sources.... Would you be so kind to share the receipt? Mumbles, I try to light it with a propane torch... I'll try to put 50 pc of coarse flitter and 50 pc of fine flakes... What makes me wonder is the ratio ko3 to Al:Very low kno3 and high Al.. Will that work even with a more reactive Al amount in the mix? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 The aim of a low oxidiser mix is to use the matrix (fines) to light the coarse materials and let them fall away from the body of the firework alight in air. If the coarse flakes are too coarse to light well than perhaps some (2 - 5%) of dark Al would help the matrix burn hotter and faster to release the falling coarse metals more thoroughly lit. With old formulae there is some issue with the lack of detail. Your formula does not state the size range of the aluminium or the particle shape, just a small percentage of fines would make a lot of difference. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldMarine Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 Scroll down to the "other" category on Danny Cregan's site:http://www.creagan.net/fireworks/compositions.html#whitestar 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sulphurstan Posted October 31, 2017 Author Share Posted October 31, 2017 Ok, thank you, found the stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 For each "just an ingredients list" formula you find, remember that the method is key to it's function. Sadly the same ingredients initially used may no longer be available, and ingredients with the same particle shape and size distribution may no longer be made. So sometimes you may have to experiment and alter the formula slightly to achieve a likeable effect with reliable ignition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkokpyro Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 Silver C. It's a glitter. (Add some sodium Oxalate to get a nice gold effect) 52 % K Nitrate - 14% Antimony Trisulphide - 10% Barium Carbonate - 10% Airfloat - 7% Sulphur - 7% 325 mesh Atomised Aluminium I press mine into 3/4 inch ID spiral wound tubes 1/8 wall thickness 10 inches long. Top the tube of with an increment of meal to ignite it. Here's a poor quality video waterfall at 3.32https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hD4N5_obCM 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sulphurstan Posted November 1, 2017 Author Share Posted November 1, 2017 Paul, oh yeah that looks promising. Definitely the next formyla I'll try. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumbles Posted November 2, 2017 Share Posted November 2, 2017 It's a great formula. For falls, I like the aluminum to be a little coarser or at least a mix. It also makes a great unchoked gerb. One of my favorite glitter gerbs actually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WonderBoy Posted November 3, 2017 Share Posted November 3, 2017 Sulphurstan, you might also look into some KP waterfall compositions. I'm not sure what the composition was that you used in your "crumbly star" thread, but those are about the right chemicals for a nice KP waterfall. But do keep in mind that, like Arthur said, the method for making the falls is important. Especially when using KP or chlorate, because you basically have a flash mix before it is wet and filled in the casing. WB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sulphurstan Posted November 3, 2017 Author Share Posted November 3, 2017 Arthur, yes the kp based compositions are usually very nice and 100% white silver without golden particles but I have the hell problems to have kp available (I make my stock last as long as possible). That's why I'm trying to cope with kn based compositions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldMarine Posted November 3, 2017 Share Posted November 3, 2017 Lloyd's Fairy Fountain composition makes a great waterfall and contains only KNO3 as an oxidizer. Here's a link to a thread on them:https://www.amateurpyro.com/forums/topic/11405-fairy-fountain/?hl=%2Bfairy+%2Bfountain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyroboy Posted November 4, 2017 Share Posted November 4, 2017 Hey Sulphurstan, try to use 10-15% dark Al and the rest corse flitter. I got the Comp work with that and it gave a nice waterfall! For me it seems that with KNO3 you need some really fine particles to get it work properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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