Swede Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 At the local Hobby Lobby, I was in the candle section to pick up some paraffin wax for rocket nozzles. I found the paraffin, and I also found a pound of Stearic acid, fairly cheap. I know stearic acid (wax) is used in pyro, especially for coating reactive metals, and also in a few comps. Any suggestions as to uses for this stuff? I did buy a pound - I couldn't resist. Anyway, if you need stearic acid quick, a DIY candle place may very well have some. Apparently it is used in homemade candles... for what, I don't know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankRizzo Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 It can be used to ball mill aluminum foils into flake powder. Shred your foil as small as possible (cross-cut paper shredder), then add 5% stearic acid by weight, and 100% of the weight in mineral spirits. Mill in an optimized ball mill with steel media for 30-36 hrs to obtain 30µm or smaller flake powder. This material will be comparable with american dark. Stearic acid is also used as a fuel in some lance compositions and older blue star formulas containing paris green. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tentacles Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 How much was it, if I might ask? Artstuf has it for like $2/lb in 5lb increments. I wonder if milling MgAl with it would make for a finer particle? Also, might it be suitable for coating brake turnings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justanotherpyro Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 If its going to be a coating the fine metal powders it would make it safer to ball mill them and decrease the chance of them becoming pyrophoric. So it is probably worth it from a safety standpoint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swede Posted May 24, 2008 Author Share Posted May 24, 2008 How much was it, if I might ask? Artstuf has it for like $2/lb in 5lb increments. I wonder if milling MgAl with it would make for a finer particle? Also, might it be suitable for coating brake turnings? It was more than $2/lb, more like $4/lb, but no shipping because it was right there. It was one of those surprising moments when a known pyro chemical stares you in the face, innocently packaged for candle-makers. You simply MUST buy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonny Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 How much was it, if I might ask? Artstuf has it for like $2/lb in 5lb increments. I wonder if milling MgAl with it would make for a finer particle? Also, might it be suitable for coating brake turnings? For MgAl, how fine are you trying to get? I have milled to easily pass 250mesh (finest screen i have), but quite a bit was floating out of the container so much finer. For brake turnings, I seperated into -20+40, -40+60 and -60+100, then coated with linseed oil after first washing with mineral spirits.In each case, gotta love that shaker mixer I bought for sifting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts