Q&A for How to Make Flash Powder

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How can I make fire in powder without matches or a lighter?

Community Answer

Use electric fuse. It can be made from a copper wire, but the originals are cheap and need low voltage 1.5v +.

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Question

Could I use potassium nitrate instead of perchlorate?

Community Answer

Yes, but it's much weaker and requires a more solid cap end, so hot glue the ends etc., and be careful with hot glue ends pointing at someone or glass windows as they may fly off at a high rate of speed.

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Question

Is this the flash powder that give photographers their light source?

Community Answer

Nowadays they use xenon flash bulbs. Originally they used magnesium powder.

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Question

Can you mix the combination in a wood container?

Community Answer

As long as the container is made completely of wood and can be tightly closed, you'll be fine.

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Question

What do you mean by 'fuse' instead of lighting it with a match?

Community Answer

Lighting it with a match requires you to get very and dangerously close to the explosive. With a fuse, however, you can light it and walk away until you reach a safe distance.

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Question

Can I use potassium chloride instead of potassium perchlorate?

max bladt

Community Answer

You could use that, but the flash would become more unstable and more likely to explode when friction is applied.

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Question

Would the addition of magnesium powder increase the brightness and duration of the flash while making flash powder?

Community Answer

You can replace aluminum powder with magnesium powder for a faster 'flash' reaction.

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Question

Could I use potassium chlorate? Or would that have the same result as potassium chloride?

Allen Arnold

Community Answer

Avoid chlorates. They make unstable flash powders. Stay with potassium perchlorate. It's a lot less susceptible to shock and friction. Both are susceptible to static sparks too small to see, so always spray everything and yourself with antistatic spray. Never make more than 10 grams at a time.

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Question

Yes I just made two 10 gram batches and loaded it into a shell. I was scared to death inserting the cap with hot glue. Also, does the aluminum powder have to be dark? I’m about to see if it Works

Allen Arnold

Community Answer

Hot glue and flash powder? You are asking for big trouble. Forget hot glue or anything hot near flash powder. Glue end caps with Elmer's glue. Then wait overnight till it dries. Safety first. By the way, 10 grams in a flashbang is a little much, enough to be scared of.

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Question

Does it have to be dark aluminum powder? I have got normal aluminum powder because that is what the ingredients say. I followed the rest, it does not burn fast enough, it is a slow burn which does not explode.

Soviet Union

Community Answer

Dark aluminum has a very fine coat of charcoal after its made so that way it doesn't oxidate, then resulting in a bigger boom. Your problem is probably that the aluminum is too large of a mesh or it oxidated too much.

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Question

During the manufacture of a firecracker in a paper tube with the flash powder, when it is handled - is it dangerous? Otherwise no need for a fuse?

Soviet Union

Community Answer

When using the perchlorate, it is fairly stable and is not too sensitive but you need to still be careful. With the aluminum powder, always be in a well ventilated area. Wear gloves and always use a fuse or electric initiator when lighting.

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