hi everyone first time poster long time lurker question regarding match head composition for crackers

[toe6982]

Dear all,

As a first-time contributor but long-time reader, I’d like to start by thanking the community for the knowledge and expertise that’s shared here. I’ve read and respect the forum rules, and I understand that discussions involving flash powders or other sensitive energetics are discouraged. This inquiry does not pertain to those substances.

My question is in relation to the composition of traditional match heads—specifically the red-tipped “Redhead” style safety matches. I recall a documentary (possibly How It’s Made, some years ago) mentioning that the formulation involved potassium perchlorate or chlorate, a small percentage (5–10%) of gelatin as a binder, and water or possibly PVA glue as a medium. However, I’d appreciate clarification or confirmation from anyone with more precise information or historical knowledge.

By way of context: I’ve recently begun exploring amateur pyrotechnics as a hobby, strictly within legal and safety boundaries. My current interest is in reconstructing a small firework device I encountered in my youth. It resembled a cigarette-style cracker and was made by a university colleague over 20 years ago.

From what I’ve managed to determine, the device did not rely solely on a flash composition. It appeared to include approximately one inch of delay composition, which burned before initiating a small report. At the ignition end, a quantity of striker compound (similar to commercial match heads) served as the ignition point—this could be struck to initiate a ~3 second delay, followed by a small pop.

These devices were surprisingly robust, even functioning after being submerged (a memory from teenage experimentation aswell as blowing up a toilet). While I now approach this interest from a much more mature and safety-conscious standpoint, I’m keen to better understand the chemistry behind such historical or improvised devices—particularly the delay composition and ignition method.

Any insight or recommended reading would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time.

Best regards,

[Arthur]

There are several types of matches with different form and method but all with the same function -to make fire on demand. The strike surface tells lots. With a red/brown striker that's likely a phosphorus mix so the matches will be likely chlorate and a fuel like gelatine. Other formulations have a sandpaper striker so the match head must be differently sensitive. 

Youtube has MANY videos. However remember that the process of match manufacture is very time consuming. The sticks are made then loaded into a machine and not released for many hours so that the correct mixture can be applied at  the correct viscosity to make a well formed match head, then they have to be dried before release into the usual match box.

Separately YT has many videos of how electric matches are made, but with limited technical content, formulas, ingredients etc. 

[AustralianPyromaniac]

The match head really must contain two compounds, potassium chlorate and sulphur. Other stuff is 'optional'. The striker contains red phosphorus. Chlorate mixtures without sulphur can be ignited on a striker with some difficulty, but comps containing sulphur/ k chlorate light up excellently.

Table from Pyrotechnics by Alexander Hardt. 

[Zumber]

 

[toe6982]

Thanks so much for that, Ausy Pyro.

I tested my composition today — a mix of potassium perchlorate, gelatin, and PVA glue. It was actually a bit hard to ignite and failed to light the delay composition underneath. So, adding a bit of sulfur does make sense. That was a really clever observation on your part, considering the mixture sits for hours while waiting for the viscosity to settle. I doubt many people would’ve thought of that — cheers!

So far, it looks like my striker composition may need sulfur and possibly less gelatin. As for my delay comp — a classic 65/35 milled KNO₃/dextrose mix with 10% bicarbonate of soda — it didn’t behave quite the way I had hoped. I'm also wondering if the fact it was rammed into only a 5mm-wide tube might have affected the performance.

 

[AustralianPyromaniac]

You need potassium chlorate and sulphur, perchlorate will not work. 

Your delay comp with dextrose? Not so typical. Where'd you find that? A typical comp would just be 75/15/10 BP, or maybe something with a bit more charcoal like 65/25/10 if the standard comp needs to be slowed down. Bicarb promotes slag formation, clogging your outlet and messing with your delay. 

[bugmenot1]

Much simpler compositions are used for crackers, I found these comps in professional documents.

Comp 1

50 KClO3 Potassium Chlorate

30 Sb2S3 Antimon Trisulfide

20 Dextrine

Comp 2

67 KClO3 Potassium Chlorate

22 Sb2S3 Antimon Trisulfide

11 Animal Glue

Comp 3

60 KClO3 Potassium Chlorate

20 Sb2S3 Antimon Trisulfide

20 PVA Glue

From Sulfur (See the video here from this composition: I Made My OWN DIY MATCHES!)

43,3 KClO3

39 SiO2

4,7 S

11 Gelatine

1 Sodium Alginate

1 K2Cr2O7