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There are hundreds of different chemicals used in the fireworks industry to create effects such as color, reports, whistles, and flashes. Even the simplest of fireworks such as fountains can consist of at least half a dozen different chemicals, all of which work together to create the variety of effects that we all enjoy. Chemicals range from relatively harmless copper compounds to highly toxic barium compounds.
ALUMINUM
[Al]
Most widely used fuel in modern pyrotechnics. The particles come in
several of different shapes, such as flakes and grains.
AMMONIUM PERCHLORATE [(NH4)2Cr2O4]
Slow-burning oxidizer used primarily in strobes, lances, and rockets.
ANTIMONY
TRISULFIDE [S2S3]
Used in glitter, white star, and comet
compositions.
BARIUM
[Ba]
Green color
agent. Forms of barium include:
Barium Carbonate [BaCO3]
Barium Chlorate [Ba(ClO3)2·H2O]
Barium Chloride [BaCl2·2H2O]
Barium Nitrate [Ba(NO3)2]
Barium Sulfate [BaSO4]
CHARCOAL
(Carbon) [C]
Used to make dim gold sparks in various compositions. Other forms of
charcoal include:
Air Float Charcoal
Lampblack
CLAY
Powder used for plugs and nozzles in fountains, drivers, rockets, and other
devices
COPPER
[Cu]
Blue color
agent. Forms of copper include:
Copper Acetate [Cu(C2H3O2)2·H2O]
Copper Carbonate [CuCO3·Cu(OH)2]
Copper Chloride [CuCl]
Copper Fluoride [CuF2]
Copper Oxide [CuO]
Copper Oxychloride [3CuO·CuCl2·3.5H2O]
Copper Sulfate [CuSO4·5H2O]
DEXTRIN
[C6H10O5]
Pyrotechnic binder and sometimes glue
MAGNESIUM
[Mg]
Highly reactive and flammable metal used to brighten flames without decreasing
color quality. Also used in flash powder, strobe formulations, and flares.
MAGNESIUM-ALUMINUM
(MAGNALIUM) [Mg/Al]
Alloy of magnesium and aluminum, with properties of both metals. Not quite
as reactive as magnesium, and not as hard to ignite as aluminum. Used
primarily in glitter and to brighten flames in strobes.
NITROCELLULOSE
LACQUER [C6H7N3O11]
Flammable liquid binder used for waterproofing fuse.
POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC) [C2H3Cl]
Used as a chlorine donor (color enhancer), fuel, and binder.
PARLON
Chlorinated rubber used as a binder and as a chlorine donor.
POTASSIUM
[K]
Potassium compounds are used as oxidizers. Forms of it include:
POTASSIUM BENZOATE [C6H5·CO·OK]
POTASSIUM CHLORATE [KClO3]
POTASSIUM DICHROMATE [K2Cr2O7]
POTASSIUM NITRATE [KNO3]
POTASSIUM PERCHLORATE [KClO4]
POTASSIUM SULFATE [K2SO4]
RED GUM
Reddish brown powder from an Australian tree used as a binder and fuel.
SODIUM
[Na]
Yellow color
agent. Forms of sodium include:
SODIUM BICARBONATE [NaHCO3]
SODIUM NITRATE [NaNO3]
SODIUM OXALATE [Na2C2O4]
SODIUM SULFATE [NaSO4]
STRONTIUM
[St]
Red color agent. Forms of
strontium include:
STRONTIUM CARBONATE [SrCO3]
STRONTIUM CHLORIDE [SrCl2]
STRONTIUM NITRATE [Sr(NO3)2]
STRONTIUM SULFATE [SrSO4]
SULFUR [S]
Used as a fuel primary in in compositions with nitrate oxidizers.
Component of black powder (serves as a fuel AND binder)