abbykarim Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Cost? Toxicity? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_bab Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 (edited) 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 August 19, 2014 by a_bab 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSM Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 (edited) 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 Edited August 20, 2014 by WSM 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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