[SML] Fireworks basics

[Rick Clever]

Every firework I loaded and shot last week was from China. The largest
shells we had were 8". We did have a 5" shell get trapped in the tube
and exploded there taking out a few racks with it. That's why we take
the safety precautions we do. It made the next days hand fired show a
little more interesting in my head but thankfully it went off without
a hitch.

The largest shells I've been around were 10" but I don't get to do the
very large shows.

On Mon, Jul 9, 2018 at 1:21 AM, Bill Nelson via Stagecraft
<stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:
>> That is like saying that all that the Magnesium in fireworks is doing is
>> just rusting (oxidizing) really, really, really fast, despite impurities
>> added to the alloy to change the apparent the colors of the display, as it
>> oxidizes really, really, really fast. It may be a distinction without a
>> difference.
>
> Nope.
>
> First, rusting is not simple oxidation - water is involved. But yes, in
> essence the magnesium is just oxidizing really rapidly.
>
> There are no impurities added to either magnesium, titanium or aluminum to
> affect the colors of the stars. They are rarely/never used in a color effect.
>
> The colors are usually due to metal or metal compounds reacting with a
> chlorine donor - although relatively pale colors can be produces without the
> chlorine.
>
> Bill
>
>
>
> ____________________________________________________________
> For list information see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> Stagecraft mailing list
> Stagecraft at theatrical.net
> http://theatrical.net/mailman/listinfo/stagecraft_theatrical.net



-- 
Rick Clever
Technical Director
Owens Community College
567-661-7930