Dean411 Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 I bought a bunch of chemical a long long time ago and my father called that he found some stuff of mine in the raftersof their garage.I also had a filled out application for a membership to the PGI in the bag dated 7/14/96.Yes that's like 16 years ago.I have made several mixes with the chemicals and they work as good as the newer ones I have. This is a list of the items.Barium nitratePotassium nitrate and perchlorateSulphurC coalStrontium nitrateAntimonyMagnesiumAluminumDextrin All were over a lb except the charcoal and sulphur. Aside from.caking no other issues and they went through heat and cold up there for a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potassiumchlorate Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 The magnesium might be a bit oxidized. Other than that I see no reason why your chemicals shouldn't be fit for use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackthumb Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 I just finished up using some chems I bought in 1963....kept dry, they were fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumbles Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 They should be fine except for caking. I would check on the dextrin at least however. It is organic after all, and could have lost a bit of it's strength over the last 16 years. I really don't know how it holds up to long term storage. It stores fine once activated in stars at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PyroAce Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 I'm glad to hear this as I have a few chemicals that are around 15 years old, they have been stored in water tight packaging and containers so I will be more confident to try them out. Another related question I am hoping someone might know, how much does heat effect the various chemicals we use in pyrotechnics, for example I store all my chemicals in plastic tubs (the chemicals themselves are in snap lock bags) in a small tin shed, this shed sits out in the sun all day, you can get outside temperatures of 35-40 degrees celsius on a lot of days, the temperature inside is a lot more, what kind of effect does this have on chemicals, can it be dangerous? I never really thought it would considering a lot of finished product made around the world are stored in shipping containers out in the sun, but I thought it would be a relevant question that someone may know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean411 Posted December 30, 2011 Author Share Posted December 30, 2011 The chemicals I had in that garage had temp probably around 110 to 120 f and in winterAround 0 f so mine are working well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potassiumchlorate Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Most pyro chemicals don't react before it's 300oC, so I doubt that 35-40oC will damage them. I'd be careful with NC and NC-lacquer, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PyroAce Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Thank you for the answers gentlemen :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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