I've recently become intrested in the science behind pyrotecnics and stars seem to come up alot. I know what they basicaly are but I would like to
know more.
[Edited on 29-5-2012 by Teen Chemist]Mumbles - 29-5-2012 at 15:49
Is there anything specific you had in mind? There are a number of different varieties of stars with different effects. Each effect will have it's
own related chemistry.
Generally speaking a star is a composition of an oxidizer, a fuel, and a binder. The binder is activated by an appropriate solvent and holds the
star's shape once it's dried or cured. Stars may contain several oxidizers and fuels to achieve different effects. There are additional additives
sometimes used, such chlorine donors to enhance colors, or things like carbonates and oxalates to enhance glitters.
If you want to know more about the chemistry behind certain effects I'd suggest Lloyd Oglesby's book "Glitter, Chemistry, and Techniques". It
contains a good amount on one proposed view of the chemistry involved in the glitter effect. There is a book called "Chemistry of Pyrotechnics" by
John Conkling, though it doesn't actually have a great deal of detailed chemistry in it. "Principles of Pyrotechnics" by A. A. Shidlovskiy is also
quite good. I don't actually have it, but I've heard "Fireworks from a Physical Standpoint" by Dr. Takeo Shimizu is good as well. There are a
variety of articles in the Pyrotechnica papers series that have good chemical and mechanistic insight in them. hyfalcon - 29-5-2012 at 16:28
Davis even has a chapter on pyrotechnics in "Chemistry of Powder and Explosives". You can get a copy in the reference section of Science Madness.Bert - 30-5-2012 at 06:43
Davis is an excellent source for classic explosives chemistry, but the pyrotechnics and fireworks section is more of historical interest than
practical. By all means read it, but also look to such works as Alexander Hardt's Pyrotechnics and Takeio Shimizu's Fireworks: The Art, Science and
Technique.Teen Chemist - 30-5-2012 at 11:34
