Theoretic - 25-6-2003 at 07:28
I heard that calcium chlorate is used to give a pink colour in fireworks (not orange!). Does anybody know why is that?
Theoretic - 30-6-2003 at 07:07
From what I see, this question doesn't belong here - 47 viewings and not a single reply.
DavidThePyro - 30-6-2003 at 21:42
Maybe you heard wrong, the only thing I've heard is that calcium compounds give orange.
krimmie - 5-7-2003 at 03:30
I have never seen calcium chlorate in any pyrotechnic formula. Red and pink colors are obtained with the use of strontium nitrate as the oxidizer, or
with the combination of strontium carbonate and either KClO3 or KClO4.
vulture - 5-7-2003 at 04:02
Furthermore, group IIa chlorates tend to be extremely hygroscopic.
Mumbles - 5-7-2003 at 16:35
Perhaps it acts as a chlorine donor. I know that chlorine donors brighten colors and in some cases change it. For instance,
KClO<sub>4</sub> produces a red flame when used in conjunction with Sucrose.
vulture - 6-7-2003 at 10:51
You mean a purple flame because of the potassium ion. All chlorates and perchlorates are chlorine donors.
BrAiNFeVeR - 6-7-2003 at 12:37
In my electrolysis experiments I saw Ca metal burn and I can confirm it burns with a pink/red color.
So I don't see why calcium chlorate could not emit pink light when in a pyrotechnic composition ...
Mumbles - 6-7-2003 at 14:15
No, I meant red. I've heard that on a few occassions. Never seen a good solid source of it though. Nor do I have any
KClO<sub>4</sub> to test with. If anyone wants to try its a 6:4 ratio, KClO<sub>4</sub> to sucrose.
I know it should make a purple alone. Perhaps the red is in part due to the fact that sugar is also in the mixture. Perhaps the chlorine donation
changes the purple to a red.
relation between pink colour and calcium chlorate
KABOOOM(pyrojustforfun) - 4-9-2003 at 18:55
the only relation I see is calcium chlorate's self! it's white of course but when not very pure is pink I have seen it in my own experiment
when I added pool chlorine to hot water it went pinkish after a few minutes!
chemoleo - 4-9-2003 at 19:36
sorry to disappoint you all, but in the old days I used to make red (yes, red, not pink) pyrotechnic mixtures with a mixture of KClO3/ Ca(Ac)2/sugar,
cus i couldnt get hold of strontium salts. Without the Ca(Ac)2, the flame is purple only of course. But as Ca is a much stronger light emittor than K,
you will only see the teh Calcium emitting a beautifully red light 
[Edited on 5-9-2003 by chemoleo]