memo Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Does anyone have a formula for using mothballs to make a black smoke shell. memo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 (edited) The moth balls in this case are a source of Naphthalene. Naphthalene is no longer on the market in Europe due to it's suspected health risks. Do remember that Naphthalene naturally sublimes slowly at room temperature so a product containing it will need sealing in a plastic or metal can. Black smokes in commerce have short shelf lives simply because one component sublimes then the excess fuel is no longer in excess and the device turns into a flame pot. see http://www.thegreenman.me.uk/pfp/smoke.html#Black Edited February 28, 2018 by Arthur Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMat Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 (edited) I have read that the movie industry uses naphthalene for for the huge orange fireballs that always accompany explosions in movies. I once tried making a cremora with granulated naphthalene mothballs, but I made some serious errors in the construction and it was very underwhelming (It was very early in my pyro days and mistakes are bound to happen.). I never tried another one simply because I didn't have any more naphthalene... until now. Once the weather becomes more hospitable for pyro work, I plan on trying it again. Edited February 28, 2018 by MadMat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memo Posted February 28, 2018 Author Share Posted February 28, 2018 i just bought a kilo of mothballs and wanted to give it a go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumbles Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Here are a few formulas I have, besides the Shimizu ones that Arthur linked to. I really cannot vouch for any of these formulas and I'm not sure how well any of these would work as actual stars as I've never really tried. A lot of smoke formulas work a little better when made as pill box stars or perforated inserts filled with granular compositions. From PyroSkitz on UKPS. Obtained on 8/25/2010 http://www.pyrosociety.org.uk/forum/topic/5552-interesting-sfx-suitable-for-beginners/ Magnesium powder – 19%Hexachloroethane – 60%Napthalene – 21% From Wonderboy in the APC Chat on 1/20/2014 (in reference to the above formula) Yeah I have a similar one, calls for Anthracene though. The black smoke I've use was KClO4-Napthalene-sulfur 56-33-11. I just used it in a loose pile in a cup though, so I'm not sure how it'd work pressed in a tube From FlaMtnBkr on Fireworking. Posted 10/10/2014 I looked some more and found a third one in my notes but looking at them I don't think they are all meant for stars. I believe this first one came from Ken Miller: Black Smoke 60 KClO340 Napthalene+4% Antimony sulfide Blend Napthalene and antimony thru 20 mesh screen. Screen chlorate by itself thru 60 or 80 mesh screen. Mix everything 2x thru 20 mesh screen. Mixed with NCL it burns better. Press into tube with 2x ID left empty. Black Smoke #210 KClO36 Napthalene3.5 Antimony sulfide1 charcoal1 starch I would assume the starch could be dextrin or SGRS? It also has a friction sensitive warning. Black Smoke #320-30 KClO350 Ammonium chloride20 Napthalene0-10 charcoal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 (edited) ALL smokes rely entirely on incomplete combustion, it's how they work. The design of the device is critical as well as the design of the compound. Especially with Naphthalene the final airtight (storage) sealing of the device is important too. Edited March 1, 2018 by Arthur Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrB Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Purely speculative, but... Would encasing the final product in wax help keeping the naphthalene from evaporating? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteyPyro Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 (edited) Here are a few formulas I have, besides the Shimizu ones that Arthur linked to. I really cannot vouch for any of these formulas and I'm not sure how well any of these would work as actual stars as I've never really tried. A lot of smoke formulas work a little better when made as pill box stars or perforated inserts filled with granular compositions. From PyroSkitz on UKPS. Obtained on 8/25/2010 http://www.pyrosociety.org.uk/forum/topic/5552-interesting-sfx-suitable-for-beginners/ Magnesium powder 19%Hexachloroethane 60%Napthalene 21% From Wonderboy in the APC Chat on 1/20/2014 (in reference to the above formula) Yeah I have a similar one, calls for Anthracene though. The black smoke I've use was KClO4-Napthalene-sulfur 56-33-11. I just used it in a loose pile in a cup though, so I'm not sure how it'd work pressed in a tube From FlaMtnBkr on Fireworking. Posted 10/10/2014 I looked some more and found a third one in my notes but looking at them I don't think they are all meant for stars. I believe this first one came from Ken Miller: Black Smoke 60 KClO340 Napthalene+4% Antimony sulfide Blend Napthalene and antimony thru 20 mesh screen. Screen chlorate by itself thru 60 or 80 mesh screen. Mix everything 2x thru 20 mesh screen. Mixed with NCL it burns better. Press into tube with 2x ID left empty. Black Smoke #210 KClO36 Napthalene3.5 Antimony sulfide1 charcoal1 starch I would assume the starch could be dextrin or SGRS? It also has a friction sensitive warning. Black Smoke #320-30 KClO350 Ammonium chloride20 Napthalene0-10 charcoal That Black Smoke #3 looks like something that I would not want to store or really make, for some reason. Hygroscopic Ammonium chloride + Potassium Chlorate = double displacement to Potassium Chloride + Ammonium Chlorate! (with an organic fuel to boot.)Is it just me? Edited March 1, 2018 by PeteyPyro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maserface Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Potassium Chlorate is the least soluble compound between ammonium chloride, potassium chlorate, ammonium chlorate, and potassium chloride. Double displacement only occurs when minimum solubility favors a change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memo Posted March 1, 2018 Author Share Posted March 1, 2018 there area couple of formulas that interest me. now the fun begins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts