val77 Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 (edited) observing a red parachute flare, I disassemble and I carefully examine the flare, I saw something intriguing Indeed, instead of using magnesium powder as fine for the starsthey use rather coarse magnesium which makes the slow-burning and bright red when you turn on a handflare you see sparks, it is the combustion of magnesium coarseWhen I can, I will test it and you would share my findings greetings Edited December 9, 2012 by val77 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mortartube Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 The tonnage that it is pressed at also determines brightness and burn time within certain boundaries. Some military flares are pressed around 60 tons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brkdnc Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 I would really like to know how this turns out. I have some 26.5mm flare cases that I would like to re-load Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
val77 Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 the flares manufacturers use a coarse magnesium in the flares (70 mesh) in the classical red flare formula Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mabuse00 Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 (edited) I recently bought such 70 mesh stuff extra for Mg flares, because 200mesh allways tended to "explode" on me. I can tell you that the difference was barely noticable.I even made salutes with homemade drilling turnings. Coarse stuff is NOT the "secret" you mention (imho)!Pressing really hard seems to be. I don't think this is easily doable for small scale hobby pyros. Edited December 11, 2012 by mabuse00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seymour Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 I always expected that other than the cost, the Mg in emergency flares was so large to reduce metal surface area and improve shelf life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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