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selenium powder for blue colour


abbykarim

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im new to fire working, but from chemistry i know that selenium is a metal that burns with a very bright blu flame and has a low Bp as well. its has properties somewhat similar to sulfur. why isnt this used in pryotechnics.......i never saw any one experimenting with it for pyros
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The first factor in material choice when it comes to fireworks is the cost, just as in most of manufacturing areas. Toxicity was historically of a lesser importance but recently most of the very toxic stuff was dropped and alternatives were found (lead replaced with bismuth in crackling stars, mercury chloride with other organic donors, arsenic with copper for blue etc).

 

There are other elements able to produce a blue color, such as indium - it makes a very lovely dark indigo flame. But it costs a lot.

Edited by a_bab
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Sulfur also burns in air with a beautiful blue flame, but at typical pyrotechnic temperatures it whitens considerably. The cost and toxicity are probably the major deterants to its use. Has anyone researched the affinity for moisture of the material? That could be another issue.

WSM B)

Edited by WSM
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