what colors make what fireworks

[scottobear]

Color	Compound
Red	strontium salts, lithium salts lithium carbonate, Li2CO3 = red strontium carbonate, SrCO3 = bright red
Orange	calcium salts calcium chloride, CaCl2 calcium sulfate, CaSO4·xH2O, where x = 0,2,3,5
Gold	incandescence of iron (with carbon), charcoal, or lampblack
Yellow	sodium compounds sodium nitrate, NaNO3 cryolite, Na3AlF6
Electric White	white-hot metal, such as magnesium or aluminum barium oxide, BaO
Green	barium compounds + chlorine producer barium chloride, BaCl+ = bright green
Blue	copper compounds + chlorine producer copper acetoarsenite (Paris Green), Cu3As2O3Cu(C2H3O2)2 = blue copper (I) chloride, CuCl = turquoise blue
Purple	mixture of strontium (red) and copper (blue) compounds
Silver	burning aluminum, titanium, or magnesium powder or flakes

Comments

[cath555.livejournal.com]

cool. no instructions on how to make the fireworks themselves? ;-)

Re:

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

would you like sparklers, rockets, or something else? :)

[cath555.livejournal.com]

hmmm.... rockets would be neat, but to be honest, I'd probably only be brave enough to try make your own sparklers :-)

Re:

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

okie... hmm.. let's see. first off.. I claim no responsibility for any blown off/ burned or otherwise damaged property or body parts. :)

for purely informational purposes, I give you -

from - http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/The_Household_Cyclopedia_of_General_Information/makinghom_cfd.html

(originally published in 1881, some of the methods may be outdated.)


_Iron Sand._

Used to give corruscations in fire-works, is far better than iron or steel-filings. It is made by beating cast steel or iron into small pieces on an anvil. These are sifted into 4 sizes, the smallest for the smallest pieces; and vice versa. The corruscations produced by these are exceedingly brilliant. The sand should be kept in a dry place in a wellclosed bottle as any rust damages it. Fireworks containing it should not be made very long before using.

_Touch-Paper._

Soak unglazed paper in a solution of nitre in vinegar or water. The stronger the solution, the faster will it burn. A good plan is to dip it in a wet solution, dry it, try it, and if it burns too slowly, make the solution stronger and dip it again.

_Quick-Match._

Is made by immersing lamp-wick in a solution of saltpetre with meal powder, winding it on a frame, and afterwards dusting with meal powder. To 1 lb. 12 oz. of cotton, take saltpetre, 1 lb.; alcohol, 2 qts.; water, 3 qts.; solution of isinglass (1 oz. to the pint), 3 galls.; mealed powder, 10 lbs.

_Port Fires._

Take of sulphur, 2 parts; saltpetre, 6 parts; mealed powder, 1 part. This is rammed into cases of from 6 inches to 2 feet long, and 1/2 inch internal diameter. They should be lightly rammed. To give a brilliant flame, add 1 part of iron sand; for a dark flame, 1 part of powdered charcoal.

_Stars._

Common.--Saltpetre, 1 lb.; sulphur, 4 1/2 oz.; antimony, 4 oz.; isinglass, 1/2 oz.; camphor, 1/2 oz.; alcohol, 3/4 oz.

White.--Mealed powder, 4 oz.; saltpetre, 12 oz.; sulphur, 6 1/2 oz.; oil of spike, 2 oz.; camphor, 5 oz.

The above are to be made into balls, rolled in grained powder and dried in the sun. Used in Roman candles, rockets, etc.

_Trailed Stars._

Saltpetre, 4 oz.; sulphur, 6 oz.; sulphate of antimony, 2 oz.; rosin, 4 oz.

With Sparks.--Mealed powder 1 oz.; saltpetre, 1 oz.; camphor, 2 oz.

_Colored Stars_

May be made by using any of the receipts for colored fires, with a solution of isinglass, 1/2 oz.; camphor, 1/2 oz.; and alcohol, 3/4 oz. Make into balls of the requisite size, roll in gunpowder, dry in the sun.

_Roman Candles._

Meal-powder, 1/2 lb.; saltpetre, 2 1/2 lbs.; sulphur, glass dust, each, 1/2 lb. This is rammed in cases as follows: Put at the bottom of the case a small quantity of clay, then some gunpowder, then a wad of paper, then 1/6 of the height of the case of the composition, then a wad and powder and a star or ball, then more composition, and so on till the case is filled. The wads must be loose (only to prevent the mixing of the composition and gunpowder), and the ramming should not be begun until the case is 1/3 filled, and then should be gentle lest the stars be broken.

_Chinese Fire._

Red.--Saltpetre, 1 lb.; sulphur, 3 oz.; charcoal, 4 oz.; iron sand. 7 oz.

White.--Saltpetre, 1 lb.; mealed powder, 12 oz.; charcoal, 7 1/2 oz.; iron sand, fine, 11 oz.

_Golden Rain._

Mealed powder, 4 oz.; saltpetre, 1 lb.; sulphur, 4 oz.; brass-filings, 1 oz.; sawdust, 2 1/4 oz.; glass powder, 6 drs.

_Silver Rain._

Mealed powder, 2 oz.; saltpetre, 4 oz.; sulphur, 1 oz.; steel-dust, 3/4 oz.

_Wheel Cases._

Mealed powder, 2 lbs.; saltpetre, 4 oz.; steelfilings, 6 oz.

_For Rockets._

Four-Ounce.--Mealed powder, 1 lb.; charcoal, 1 oz.; saltpetre, 4 oz.

Eight-Ounce.--Mealed powder, 1 lb. 1 oz.; saltpetre, 4 oz.; sulphur, 3 1/2 oz.; charcoal 1 oz.

One-Pound.--Mealed powder, 1 lb.; charcoal, 3 oz.; sulphur, 1 oz. Two-Pound.--Mealed powder, 1 lb. 4 oz.; saltpetre, 2 oz.; charcoal, 3 oz.; sulphur, 1 oz.; iron filings, 2 oz.

Four-Pound.--Mealed powder, 1/2 lb.; saltpetre, 15 lbs.; sulphur, 2 lbs.; charcoal, 6 lbs.

[cath555.livejournal.com]

hrm. seems like heading to the corner store would be much easier. tho less satisfying. the "I made that" factor when you see something explode and make pretty colours must make it all that much more enjoyable ;-)

Re:

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

well, mix and match, perhaps!