The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives - Sciencemadness Dot Org

STARS 83
4-ply manila paper tubing, say % i ncn long and Vk inch in
diameter, are taken; pieces of black match long enough to protrude
from both ends of the tubes are inserted and held in this
position by the fingers while the tubes are pressed full of the
damp composition. Box stars require a longer drying than those
which are not covered.
White stars, except some of those which contain aluminum, are
generally made with potassium nitrate as the oxidizing agent.
Various white star compositions are tabulated below. The last
three are for white electric stars. The last formula, containing
perchlorate, was communicated by Allen F. Clark.
Potassium nitrate 70 28 180 20 42 14 28
Potassium perchlorate ., .. , 30
Barium nitrate ., ,. ,. ., .. .. 5
Aluminum ,, .. ., ., 3 5 22
Antimony sulfide 20 ., 10 .. .. 3 7
Antimony metal 5 40
Zinc dust 6
Realgar 6 6
Meal powder 12 6 3
Sulfur 20 8 50 6 23 .. 8 ..
Charcoal dust 3
Dextrin 3 1 6 1 .. 1 1 ..
Shellac 3
Stars which contain aluminum are known as electric stars because
of the dazzling brilliancy of their light, which resembles
that of an electric arc. Stars which contain chlorate and sulfur
or antimony sulfide or arsenic sulfide or picric acid are dangerous
to mix, likely to explode if subjected to too sudden shock,
and unsafe for use in shells. They are used in rockets and Roman
candles. Perchlorate compositions, and chlorate compositions
without sulfur,j3ulfides, and picric acid, will tolerate considerable
shock and are used in aerial bombshells.
The following star compositions which contain both chlorate
and sulfur are among those recommended by Tessier. 30 Mixtures
which contain chlorate and sulfur have a tendency to "sour"
with the production of sulfuric acid after they have been wetted,
30 Op. dt., pp. 338, 343, 344, 345, 347, 349.