Pyrotechnic Materials

Warnings
- Purity
- Substitution
Materials
Sources

Warnings

Fire hot!
Fire burn!
Be careful with fire, eh!

Also, be aware that many pyro materials are hazardous!

Please see our additional pyro cautions.

Purity

The more pure and refined a material, the more it costs. As a result, budding pyrotechnicians may be tempted to cut costs by using inferior materials.

There are several good reasons to only do pyro work with materials of exceptional purity:

Contamination may alter or destroy the effect that is desired.
Have you ever wondered why Germany didn't build an atomic bomb during WW2, despite having some of the best scientists on the planet? Some of their early experiments in moderating atomic fission used graphite that had been contaminated with Boron. Since cheap and plentiful graphite failed for them, they abandoned it and went to the use of rare and expensive Heavy Water.
Some pyros get charcoal by grinding up charcoal briquettes intended for the BBQ. They get some results, but not as good as if they used a pure material: BBQ charcoal has a lot of clay added to it to make it mold into briquettes.
Contamination may make the product unstable or dangerous.
If a formula calls for "Sulfur Flour" and you substitute "Flowers of Sulfur", it might explode in your face while mixing.

This page will mention several source of materials. You will have to use your own judgement as to whether the purity of the material is appropriate for your project.

Substitution

Unless you know exactly what you are doing, do not substitute one ingredient for another!

If you couldn't find a Perchlorate and used a Chlorate instead, you could transform a relatively safe mixture into a death-mix.
If you tried to make a purple flame with Potassium Nitrate and substituted Sodium Nitrate, you would get yellow instead.

Materials

Alcohol
This is a generic name for a family of different chemicals. Whenever you hear or see a pyrotechnic reference to Alcohol, your first reaction should be to ask, "What kind?"
Denatured Alcohol
Ethanol is found in alcoholic beverages. Given its potential for recreational usage, Ethanol is heavily taxed in most countries. Since Ethanol has numerous uses unrelated to drinking, it is available in a specially adulterated form that makes it undrinkable - and thus avoids the tax.
Industrial Methylated Alcohol (Meths)
Industrial Methylated Alcohol is Denatured Alcohol specifically made with Methanol.
It is usually 95% Ethanol; 5% Methanol; perhaps plus something that tastes bad.
Methanol (Methyl Alcohol)
This is a particular type of Alcohol.
Toxic - Do not take internally. Do not breath vapors.
Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol)
This is the form of Alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. It is the only drinkable Alcohol, and even then can cause plenty of damage. If you are not planning to drink it, and don't mind certain contaminants, you can use Denatured Alcohol.
Isopropanol (Isopropyl Alcohol)
This is a particular type of Alcohol, most often used for rubbing alcohol.
Toxic - Do not take internally. Do not breath vapors.
Kerosene ("paraffin" in the U.K.)
Used in some liquid fuel heaters and lanterns. Available in various grades, including an odorless variety.
White Gas (camping fuel, e.g. Coleman)
Used to power camping stoves and lanterns.
Borax
Might be available in the laundry department.
Boric Acid
Some brands of roach killer powder are mostly Boric Acid.
Calcium Chloride
Copper Chloride
Copper Sulfate (CuSO4.5H2O, blue stone)
Some brands of plumbing tree-root killer are mostly Copper Sulfate.
Lithium Chloride
Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts)
Magnesium Sulfate is sometimes used as a laxative or in bath water. In the U.S. it is often sold in waxed cardboard cartons resembling milk cartons at the drug store.
Methylene Chloride
Potassium Chloride
If you need it in huge quantities, low-sodium water-softener salt is usually Potassium Chloride.
Potassium Iodide
Potassium Sulfate (K2SO4)
Potassium Nitrate (KNO3)
Some brands of fertilizer are mostly Potassium Nitrate. Read the label carefully.
Sodium Chloride (NaCl, table salt)
If you need it in huge quantities, regular water-softener salt is usually Sodium Chloride.
Strontium Chloride (SrCl2.6H2O)

Sources

Some sources of specialized chemicals for pyrotechnics are:

If you know what you are doing, and the material does not have to be pure, you might find alternate sources of supply at:

pottery/ceramic supply shops - various metal salts are used in glazes
hardware/homeowner stores
- Copper Sulfate - drain root killer
- Potassium Nitrate - fertilizer
- Charcoal - BBQ grill briquetes
- Boric Acid - roach killer

Thank you for visiting. Your comments are welcome.
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