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Non Life Sciences
Chemistry
KCLO4
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KCLO4
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balarneystone
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KCLO4
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on:
12/09/2006 13:06:16 »
I am interested in figuring out what is wrong with my mixture.
I am making small quantities of flash with KCLO4 and aluminum powder for a special affect in a scout ceremony and it does not work.
I am using a 70/30 mix of KCLO4 and Aluminum Powder.
The mix will be used uncontained on a ceramic tile.
When I attempt to ignite it with a fuse or a match it does not ignite. Instead, it just melts. Could the KCLO4 be wet? If so, is there a safe way to dry it?
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eric l
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Re: KCLO4
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Reply #1 on:
12/09/2006 16:33:40 »
Are you sure you are working with potasiumPERchlorate and not with potasiumchlorate ? Potasiumchlorate will melt at about 350°C, perchlorate will decompose at about 390°C.
And if you work with such substances, be sure to consult the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). They are generally available on the internet, e.g. by looking up the substance in Wikipedia (
www.wikipedia.org
) which will provide a link.
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"Wonder is no wonder" (Simon Stevin 1548-1620)
balarneystone
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Re: KCLO4
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Reply #2 on:
12/09/2006 23:21:20 »
eric,
I am only sure it is Perchlorate to the extent that it is labeled as Potassium Perchlorate on the container label and was sold as such. I do not have a lab to test purity but this is what is on the label - Assay (KClO4) 99.0-100.5% I don't have a microscope to check crystal shape either.
The problem may be that I am using Atomized 1250 mesh uncoated AL powder. I have read that flake is better because of surface area although atomized still should work. Could the mesh be too small? I can get 600 mesh AL but I thought the finer the better.
Maybe I need to mill the perchlorate smaller? I have mixed it using the diaper method but only until it looked mixed, about 10 times so it may be possible the chemical binding is not strong enough.
Any advice would be apprciated.
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balarneystone
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Re: KCLO4
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Reply #3 on:
14/09/2006 20:54:56 »
I am prety much convinced after further research that the atomized 1250 mesh I bought from PK Unlimited on e-bay is worthless.
does anyone have a suggestion on if this can be salvaged by making it into a flake and how to best go about that.
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