Flash Powders

 

DANGER: Flash, concussion, report, and salute compositions are highly explosive. Extreme care must be exercised when preparing, handling, or using any such composition.

 

Perchlorate/aluminum-based flash powders I
 

  Lancaster  Lancaster  Lancaster  Lancaster  Lancaster  Shimizu  Ofca 
name  European #1  European #2  U.S. mix #1  U.S. mix #2  U.S. mix #3  Flash Thunder #1   
Potassium perchlorate  66 70 67 63 60 50 60.8
Aluminum, German black             26.1
Aluminum, dark pyro 34 30 17 27 25 23  
Sulfur     16 10     8.7
Antimony trisulfide          15 27  
Titanium, sponge (or flake)             4.3
Cab-O-Sil             0.1

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Perchlorate/aluminum-based flash powders II
 

  Shimizu  Shimizu  Allen Allen  Allen Allen 
name  Thunder #3  Thunder #4  Oma formula Oma formula   Rozzi formula 
Potassium perchlorate  64 72 62 62.5 64 50
Aluminum, dark pyro 23 28 11 12.5 18 31
Aluminum, -325 mesh     23   18  
Sulfur 13   4 25   3
Antimony trisulfide            16

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Perchlorate/aluminum-based flash powders III
 

  Pyro-Tec  Allen  Allen  Allen  Allen  Allen 
name   Cba formula Rozzi formula  Orl formula  Oma formula   
Potassium perchlorate  50 48 61.5 57 56 62.6
Aluminum, dark pyro 25 36 23 11.5 31 26.2
Sulfur 25     28.5 13 11.2
Charcoal       3    
Antimony trisulfide   16 15.5      

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Perchlorate/aluminum-based flash powders IV
 

  Allen  Klofkorn  Allen Allen  Allen  Hitt  MC 341
name      Craig formula    Hit formula  Patent 
1,253,597 		 Mil-spec M-80 simulator
Potassium perchlorate  58 61.5 40 25 47 46 64
Potassium nitrate       25      
Sulfur     10 25 3 14 10
Antimony trisulfide   15.5 3   35   3.5
Aluminum, dark pyro 42 23 47 25 15 40 22.5

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Perchlorate/aluminum-based flash powders V
 

  Weingart  Weingart  PGI  PGI  PGI  APFN
name     Titanium salute  Titanium salute  Titanium salute  Tenge formula
Potassium perchlorate  40 53 66 66 66 55
Sulfur 20 16     4 14
Antimony trisulfide     16.5      
Aluminum, dark pyro 40 31 16.5 8 8 14
Aluminum, bright flake       26 22  
Titanium, 30 mesh     +8 - 15 +8 - 15 +8 - 15  
Bran (or sawdust, or wheat hulls)           17

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Perchlorate/magnalium-based flash powders
 

  PGI 
Potassium perchlorate  50
Magnalium, -325 mesh  50

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Perchlorate/nitrate/aluminum-based flash powders
 

  Allen Allen  Allen  Allen  Allen  Degn 
name  Young/Hitt Formula Craig formula        
Potassium perchlorate  37 39 17 43 25 30
Barium nitrate 19 23 43 21 25 30
Sulfur 14 2 6   25  
Antimony trisulfide 5 26 3      
Aluminum, dark pyro 25   31 36 25 40

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Perchlorate/magnesium-based flash powders

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.
 

  Lancaster  Sturman  Degn  Degn  APFN  Lindsly 
Potassium perchlorate  38 45 50 40 40 70
Magnesium, fine 57 50 50 34 35 12
Aluminum, dark pyro        26 25 18
Graphite powder 5          
Potassium dichromate    5        
Cab-o-sil         +0.1  

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Perchlorate-based report compositions I
 

  Allen Allen  Allen  Degn  Allen  Davis  Allen  Davis 
name   Craig formula         Hitt 
formula 		  
Potassium perchlorate  57 38 78 70 55 84 55 34
Barium nitrate   23            
Sulfur 38 2 19   18   10  
Charcoal, airfloat           8   33
Antimony trisulfide   25     27   35  
Sodium salicylate       30        
Sawdust 5              
Rosin   10       8   33
Benzene     3          
Meal A   2            
Paraffin     +0.1           

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Perchlorate-based report compositions II
 

  Allen  Psm 
name  Hitt formula   
Potassium perchlorate  55 59
Sulfur 3 30
Antimony trisulfide 42  
Lampblack (or charcoal, 
airfloat) 		   11

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MAG/55 flash powder

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.
 

  Gregory  Gregory 
name Standard MAG/55  Superbright MAG/55 
Potassium perchlorate  64 60
Aluminum, German black  15 15
Aluminum, American dark  5  
Aluminum, bright flake 5 5
Aluminum, atomized 1  
Magnesium, 400 mesh  5 10
Magnesium, 200 mesh 5 10
Cab-O-Sil +2 +2
Wood meal +2 +2
Potassium dichromate  +1 +1

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Photoflash powders I

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.
 

  Standard 
Formulary 		 AMCP  AMCP SA Cyclopedia  SA Cyclopedia 
name  1899 composition 706-185  706-185     
Potassium perchlorate      40    
Barium nitrate   54.5     49
Ammonium nitrate 6        
Sulfur         6.5
Aluminum, flake 70.5        
Magnalium, fine    45.5 60    
Magnesium, fine        91 33
Lithium carbonate       4.5  
Calcium carbonate       4.5  
Lycopodium powder 23.5        
Beef suet         11.5

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Photoflash powders II

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

DANGER: Chlorate and sulfur/sulfide mixes are known to be very sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.

DANGER: Chlorate flash mixtures decompose faster than perchlorate flash mixtures and are more sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.

DANGER: Chlorate and red phosphorus mixes are extremely sensitive and highly dangerous, and can explode with little provocation. Even experienced individuals are encouraged to avoid such compositions.
 

  Fortunes in 
Formulas		 Fortunes in 
Formulas		 Standard 
Formulary 		 unknown  SA Cyclopedia 
name      1899 composition Patent 3,674,411  1899 composition
Potassium chlorate  67 67 67 24.85 60
Aluminum, flake  25   27    
Magnesium, fine   33     30
Titanium powder       48.01  
Sulfur       0.03  
Antimony trisulfide          10
Red phosphorus       24.85  
Sucrose 8   6    
Magnesium oxide       0.66  
Sodium lignosulfonate        0.23  
Sodium 2-ethylhexyl 
sulfate		       0.03  
Trichlorophenol       0.04  
Hydroxyethyl cellulose        1.30  

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Photoflash powders III

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

CAUTION: Calcium metal and calcium hydride react with water exothermically to evolve hydrogen gas. Compositions containing calcium metal or calcium hydride should be sealed against moisture and not be stored.

DANGER: Potassium permanganate mixes are regarded as sensitive and unstable. They should not be stored under any circumstances.

DANGER: Chlorate flash mixtures decompose faster than perchlorate flash mixtures and are more sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.

DANGER: Barium peroxide is unstable and prone to spontaneous decomposition. Flash mixtures made with barium peroxide should not be stored under any circumstances, and extreme caution must be exercised when handling such compositions.
 

  unknown  TM1316 SA Cyclopedia  MC277  Ellern PSM
name  Patent 
2,098,341 		   1899 composition    #50  
Potassium perchlorate         80 24
Strontium perchlorate    20        
Potassium chlorate           14
Potassium permanganate     40      
Barium nitrate       54.5   34
Barium peroxide     20      
Aluminum, flake  12.5     +4    
Magnesium, fine  54   40     28
Magnalium, fine       45.5    
Calcium/magnesium 75/25    80        
Calcium metal         20  
Calcium carbonate  21          
Magnesium oxide  4.5          
Silica 8          

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Photoflash powders IV

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

CAUTION: Calcium metal and calcium hydride react with water exothermically to evolve hydrogen gas. Compositions containing calcium metal or calcium hydride should be sealed against moisture and not be stored.
 

  AMCP Kirk-Otthmer AMCP  Ellern Ellern  TM1316 
name  706-185    M46 Photoflash 
Bomb 		 #49 #48 Pfp 054
Potassium perchlorate    30 40 50 49  
Barium nitrate 60 30       60 (21µ)
Aluminum, flake 10 40 26 20 31 9 (1.4µ)
Aluminum, atomized  30         31 (16µ)
Magnesium, fine     34      
Calcium metal       30    
Calcium fluoride         20  

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Photoflash powders V

CAUTION: Calcium metal and calcium hydride react with water exothermically to evolve hydrogen gas. Compositions containing calcium metal or calcium hydride should be sealed against moisture and not be stored.
 

  Ellern  TM1316  TM1316 TM1316  TM1316  TM1316  TM1316
name  #47 Pfp 648  Pfp 661 Pfp 673  Pfp 675  Pfp 679 Pfp 685
Potassium perchlorate  60     67 80    
Sodium perchlorate      15     57  
Strontium nitrate             70 (30µ)
Barium nitrate   50 (147µ)           
Aluminum, flake  40 50       43  
Aluminum, atomized             30 (16µ) 
Silicon        33      
Calcium     85        
Boron         20    

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Photoflash powders VI

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

CAUTION: Calcium metal and calcium hydride react with water exothermically to evolve hydrogen gas. Compositions containing calcium metal or calcium hydride should be sealed against moisture and not be stored.
 

  TM1316 TM1316 TM1316  TM1316  TM1316  TM1316 TM1316 
name  Pfp 694 Pfp 695 Pfp 716 Pfp 717 Pfp 718 Pfp 723 Pfp 726
Potassium perchlorate    35 56 72 20 45 43
Sodium perchlorate  37            
Aluminum, atomized 10 (16µ)         20 (16µ) 27
Calcium hydride 53 65          
Calcium/magnesium 75/25            35  
Calcium fluoride             30
Potassium borohydride      44 28 80    

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Photoflash powders VII

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

DANGER: Chlorate and sulfur/sulfide mixes are known to be very sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.

DANGER: Chlorate flash mixtures decompose faster than perchlorate flash mixtures and are more sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.
 

  TM1316 SA Cyclopedia SA Cyclopedia unknown 
name  Pfp 699 Slow photoflash  Slow photoflash  Patent 3,726,728
Potassium perchlorate  20      
Sodium perchlorate       31.4 (+60)
Lithium perchlorate       68.6
Potassium chlorate   18 9  
Barium nitrate   10 36  
Sulfur     6  
Aluminum, flake       (+40)
Magnesium, fine   36 30  
Calcium/magnesium 75/25  80      
Shellac   36    
Beef suet     19  

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Chlorate/aluminum-based flash powders I

DANGER: Chlorate and sulfur/sulfide mixes are known to be very sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.

DANGER: Chlorate flash mixtures decompose faster than perchlorate flash mixtures and are more sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.
 

  Shimizu  Klofkorn  Allen  Pyro-Tec Allen  Davis 
name Flash Thunder #2 Firecracker mix         
Potassium chlorate  43 27 63 67 52 64
Potassium perchlorate    29        
Antimony trisulfide  26 14 9   32 9
Sulfur   10 18     16
Sucrose       8    
Aluminum, dark pyro 31 20 10 25 16 9

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Chlorate/aluminum-based flash powders II

DANGER: Chlorate and sulfur/sulfide mixes are known to be very sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.

DANGER: Chlorate/realgar mixes are extremely sensitive and highly dangerous, and can explode with little provocation. Even experienced individuals are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

DANGER: Chlorate flash mixtures decompose faster than perchlorate flash mixtures and are more sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.
 

  Allen Degn  Allen  Allen Allen  Allen  Allen  Allen  Howell Labs 
name        Rozzi 
formula 		 Rozzi 
formula 		     Rozzi 
formula 		  
Potassium chlorate  61.5 50 41 67 55 61.5 30 50 30
Potassium nitrate                 20
Barium nitrate     3            
Aluminum, dark pyro  23 16 16 16.5 27 15 40 25 25
Sulfur       16.5   8.5 30 25 25
Antimony trisulfide  15.5 16 6   18 15      
Realgar     34            
Lampblack   16              
Barium carbonate   2              

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Chlorate/aluminum-based flash powders III

DANGER: Chlorate and sulfur/sulfide mixes are known to be very sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.

DANGER: Chlorate flash mixtures decompose faster than perchlorate flash mixtures and are more sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.
 

  Weingart  Allen  Allen 
Potassium chlorate  55 47 61.5
Sulfur 27    
Antimony trisulfide   6 8
Aluminum, dark pyro  9 47 30.5
Charcoal 9    

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Chlorate/magnesium-based flash powders

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

DANGER: Chlorate flash mixtures decompose faster than perchlorate flash mixtures and are more sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.
 

  Pyro-Tec  Pyro-Tec 
Potassium chlorate  69 43
Magnesium 31 57

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Chlorate-based report compositions I

DANGER: Chlorate and red phosphorus/realgar mixes are extremely sensitive and highly dangerous, and can explode with little provocation. Even experienced individuals are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

DANGER: Chlorate and sulfur/sulfide mixes are known to be very sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.
 

  Shimizu  Shimizu Chemical
Formulary		 Allen  Allen Allen
name  Red Explosive  Toy Pistol Cap      Lang formula   
Potassium chlorate  63 60 8 58 63 74
Potassium nitrate     45      
Red gum           19
Realgar 37          
Antimony trisulfide        33    
Charcoal     25   3 5
Red phosphorus    8        
Sulfur   32 18   32  
Rosin       9    
Zinc carbonate         1  
Stearin         1  
Sand     4      
Dextrin           2

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Chlorate-based report compositions II

DANGER: Chlorate and sulfur/sulfide mixes are known to be very sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.
 

  Allen Allen  Davis Weingart Howell Labs  Allen Allen 
name   Rozzi formula           
Potassium chlorate  57 50 50 67 63 50 55
Potassium nitrate          11    
Sulfur   12.5   22 21    
Charcoal, airfloat           25  
Antimony trisulfide  29 37.5 50   5   36
Antimony powder       11      
Rosin 14            
Red gum           25 9

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Chlorate-based report compositions III

DANGER: Chlorate and sulfur/sulfide mixes are known to be very sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.
 

  Allen  Allen  Howell Labs  Weingart  Weingart  Faber 
Potassium chlorate  57 56 56 60 60 67
Potassium nitrate       12    
Sulfur     31 23 30 16.5
Antimony trisulfide  33 15   5    
Charcoal, airfloat          10 16.5
Lampblack     13      
Calcium carbonate    29        
Rosin 10          

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Nitrate/aluminum-based flash powders

CAUTION:  Nitrate/aluminum compositons commonly create basic conditions evolving heat, which may lead to spontaneous combustion. 1% to 2% of boric acid should be added to counter the reaction.
 

  Allen  Lancaster  MC 340  Allen  Miller  Miller 
name         Bangor powder  Bangor powder 
Potassium nitrate  50       67 60
Barium nitrate   68   57    
Sulfur 30 9   14 16.5 10
Aluminum, dark pyro  20 23 9 29 16.5 30
Meal A     91      

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Nitrate/magnesium-based flash powders

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.
 

  Mendota  Danvisevich 
Potassium nitrate    23.5
Barium nitrate  67  
Strontium nitrate    6
Sulfur   23.5
Magnesium, fine  33 47

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Exotic flash powders I

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

DANGER: Potassium permanganate mixes are regarded as sensitive and unstable. They should not be stored under any circumstances.
 

  Visser  Visser  Visser Degn  Visser  Visser  Edel 
name Green flash    Permanganate 
flash		 Purple flash  Green flash Yellow flash  Smokeless flash 
Potassium perchlorate       37 43    
Zirconium hydride              7
Potassium permanganate      41        
Strontium nitrate       11      
Barium sulfate 50 50          
Sodium nitrate           86  
Barium nitrate         21   29
Barium oxide             25
Magnesium, -400 mesh 50     37   14 7
Aluminum, dark pyro   50 24   36    
Sulfur     35        
Black copper oxide       11      
PVC       4      
Zirconium             27
Rice starch              5

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Exotic flash powders II

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

DANGER: Potassium permanganate mixes are regarded as sensitive and unstable. They should not be stored under any circumstances.
 

  APFN Pyro-Tec Degn, Lippy, 
Palder 		 Degn  Degn  Davis 
name    Red flash  Red flash Violet flash  Yellow flash   
Potassium perchlorate         33  
Potassium chlorate   12        
Potassium permanganate  80         60
Strontium nitrate     50 24    
Sulfur 10          
Aluminum, dark pyro 10         40
Magnesium, fine   50 50 48 34  
Strontium carbonate   38        
Paris green       24    
Black copper oxide            
Sodium oxalate         33  
PVC       4    

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Exotic flash powders III

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.

CAUTION: Magnesium/teflon mixtures have been known to ignite spontaneously, however circumstances surrounding such incidents are not well known. Individuals intending on making such a composition are urged to exercise extreme caution.

DANGER: Chlorate flash mixtures decompose faster than perchlorate flash mixtures and are more sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.

DANGER: Barium chlorate is unstable and prone to spontaneous decomposition. Flash mixtures made with barium chlorate should not be stored under any circumstances, and extreme caution must be exercised when handling such compositions.
 

  Degn Pyro-Tec APFN  APFN Pyro-Tec Degn  PEP 12(1)
name  Green flash Green flash  Sanford 
formula 		 Sanford 
formula		 Blue flash Blue flash  M22
Potassium perchlorate            42.5  
Potassium chlorate    11     32    
Barium chlorate   36          
Barium nitrate  48            
Calcium sulfate     57 64      
Aluminum, dark pyro        36      
Magnesium, fine 48 46 43   42 42.5 75
Paris green         22.5 13  
Teflon             10
PVC 4 7     3.5 2  
Fluorelastomer             15

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Exploding target compositions

DANGER: Chlorate and sulfur/sulfide mixes are known to be very sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.

DANGER: Chlorate flash mixtures decompose faster than perchlorate flash mixtures and are more sensitive to shock, flame, spark and friction.

CAUTION: Magnesium-based flash powders are more sensitive and violent than those made with aluminum. Individuals inexperienced with flash are encouraged to avoid such compositions.
 
 

  unknown
Potassium chlorate  60
Sulfur 10
Antimony trisulfide  10
Magnesium, 200 mesh  10
Aluminum, -325 mesh  10
Calcium carbonate +5
comments Reliably ignites from impact of 
standard velocity .22 LR projectile 

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