Salute (pyrotechnics)
In pyrotechnics, a salute is an explosive device primarily designed to make a loud bang, often with a very bright flash of light. Salutes are made from flash powder. Salutes may have aluminum, antimony, titanium or other metals. Titanium flakes may be used as a special effect. A salute may be fired on the ground or launched from a mortar as a shell (aerial salute). Salutes are one of the more dangerous type of fireworks. "Mortar tubes" used to launch aerial salutes in commercial firework displays vary from 1.75 inch diameter to 8 inch diameter. All ground salutes over 50mg and air salutes over 130mg have been restricted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Child Protection Act of 1966.
99% of all salutes ground and aerial are made with flash powder, but older salutes predating the early 60's carried black powder. These salutes were called "Cannon Crackers". Flash powder is significantly more destructive than black powder. Black powder has a tendency to push items rather than atomize them which is why gun powder is the standard for firearms.
Contents
Comparison to dynamite
Though both news reporters and black-market dealers have compared the M-80 to a 1/4 stick of dynamite the two are very different. For reference, a typical stick of dynamite contains over 10 times more explosive material than an M-80 (35 grams of nitroglycerin versus 3 grams of KCLO4/AL). Nitroglycerin detonates with a shock wave that moves faster than the speed of sound, where as flash powder or black powder used in fireworks deflagrate at a rate below the speed of sound. Detonation and deflagration is the difference between high and low explosive. "Another assumption people make is that M-80s have some relation to dynamite; as the terms "quarter-stick" or "M-80 half-stick" are widely used to describe the power of such explosives. Anyone who thinks so has no idea what they're talking about. The compositions used in M-80s and cherry bombs are completely different than those used in dynamite, and the two can't even be compared. M-80s cannot be compared with high explosives!" Source: http://www.pyrouniverse.com/m80.htm
Cherry Bombs
.jpg)
- REDIRECT Template:Main
- This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name. For more information follow the bold category link.
- 1/2" to 5/8" Inner Diameter
- 3/4" to 1" Outer Diameter
- Color: Colors were variable throughout the industry but most common are several variations of red like dark red, magenta, maroon or pink.
- 1 Gram of flash
Also known as kraft salutes, these are made of paper cup sets, coated with several layers of sawdust and animal hide glue (or sodium silicate), often finished with a reddish dye (Sudan Red).[1] The process of coating Kraft salute casings in order to make them round is called panning. The glued casings are tumbled with sawdust while sodium silicate solution is slowly added to the pan. Historically, the core contained a perchlorate, sulfur, and antimony sulfide mixture. Some manufacturers added Aluminum and or Magnesium Dioxide to this mixture. As sighted by "How to Make Exploding Fireworks by, John Donner", "KENT FIREWORKS" added a small red or green star to their mixture for a color effect. Wax-coated drill bits were used for safety purposes when drilling the fuse hole. KENT FIREWORKS CHERRY BOMB FORMULA: Potassium Perchlorate (KCLO4) 50%, Sulfur 7.5%, Antimony Trisulfide 17.5%, German Black Aluminum 25%, Manganese Dioxide +0.5 %
OTHER FLASH FORMULAS
FORMULA #1 : 50% KNO3 Potassium Nitrate/30% S Sulfur/20% Bright Al Aluminum Comments: This is a relatively safe flash composition. Burns with a brilliant white light in an open tube, or when unconfined. When well confined, it produces a very deep report and a short but intense flash. Thick end plugs required.
FORMULA #2 : 50% KCLO4 Potassium Perchlorate/ 27% Sulfur powder/ 23% Dark German or Indian aluminum powder (Anything under 4 micron for BEST results). Comments: This is a relatively safe formula that is more powerful than the standard formula but should not be used by first time flash producers, atleast being proficient is best. This produces a low/medium pitched report with a nice pressure wave. Thick end plugs may or may not be a requirement depending on the manufacturer of this formula.
FORMULA #3 : 70% KCLO4 Potassium Perchlorate/ 30% Dark German Aluminum or Indian Aluminum powder. The easiest flash powder formula to make. A very standard pyrotechnic composition used in the industry of fireworks. Thick end plugs are never a requirement with this composition.
Silver Salute & Atomic Salute Ashcans
- 1-1/2" Long
- 1/2" Inner Diameter
- 10/16" Outer Diameter
- Color: Silver with "DO NOT HOLD IN HAND" label
- Silver Salute Ashcan 1.5 grams of flash
- Atomic Salute Ashcan 5 grams of flash
Silver Salute Ashcans were silver, 1-1/2" long, 1/2" in diameter, 1/16" wall. Around the outside of the tube was printed "DO NOT HOLD IN HAND" in small capital letters in a continuous spiral. The ends of the tubes were plugged with either hot glue, sodium silicate /calcium carbonate cement or paper end plugs. Holes were made smaller than the fuse so that the fuse could be twirled in for better adhesion with a small dab of glue. Beware of vintage cement plugged versions with a dozen warning labels. They pose a real hazard due to powder leakage from the ends due to an extremely conservative amount of cement plugging. Reinforced plugging would be advised.
Atomic Salute Ashcans were silver, 1-1/2" long, 5/8" in diameter, 3/32" wall. They had no label and carried 5 grams of flash. These oldies can be found on "Great American Fireworks" display posters via the internet or various fireworks pyrobillia websites.
FORMULA #1 : 50% KNO3 Potassium Nitrate/30% S Sulfur/20% Bright Al Aluminum Comments: This is a relatively safe flash composition. Burns with a brilliant white light in an open tube, or when unconfined. When well confined, it produces a very deep report and a short but intense flash. Thick end plugs required.
FORMULA #2 : 50% KCLO4 Potassium Perchlorate/ 27% Sulfur powder/ 23% Dark German or Indian aluminum powder (Anything under 4 micron for BEST results). Comments: This is a relatively safe formula that is more powerful than the standard formula but should not be used by first time flash producers, atleast being proficient is best. This produces a low/medium pitched report with a nice pressure wave. Thick end plugs may or may not be a requirement depending on the manufacturer of this formula.
FORMULA #3 : 70% KCLO4 Potassium Perchlorate/ 30% Dark German Aluminum or Indian Aluminum powder. The easiest flash powder formula to make. A very standard pyrotechnic composition used in the industry of fireworks. Thick end plugs are never a requirement with this composition.
END PLUGS : paper, plastic, bentonite clay, amber hot glue or white hot glue
M-80's
Mini
- 1-1/2" Long
- 9/16" Inner Diameter
- 11/16" Outer Diameter
- Color: Glossy Red
- 2.5 Grams of flash
Standard
- 1-1/2" Long
- 5/8" Inner Diameter
- 3/4" Outer Diameter
- Color: Flat Red
- 3 grams of flash
Military
- 1-1/2" Long
- 5/8" Inner Diameter
- 3/4" Outer Diameter
- Color: Kraft
- 5 grams of flash
Consumer Gimmicks
- 1-1/2" Long
- 5/8" Inner Diameter
- 3/4" Outer Diameter
- Color: VARIABLE
- 50 milligrams of flash
Mini & Standard The difference between the 2 are very subtle. One has a slightly larger diameter and carries .05 more grams of flash than the other. In Mexico, these salutes are called "Barrenos".
Consumer Gimmicks These contain no more than 50 milligrams of flash powder and are sold legally where ever consumer fireworks are allowed. Typical labels: "M-80, M-60, M-98, M-90, M-150 or M-600 with long descriptive warning labels". These may come in a variety of colors. They may look like M-80's or Silver salutes but are no where near them in power. They hold the same dimensions being 1-1/2"x 5/8", 1/16"wall. Some have even been found carrying a small lady finger firecracker surrounded by bentonite clay and more paper. Source: http://i.imgur.com/VcYk5uI.jpg
(MILITARY M-80 VS CIVILIAN M-80) Originally the M-80 was a military training device designed to simulate small arms fire in basic training. The "M-80's" designation was a military product identification code number. The U.S. government contracted with several fireworks makers to produce these hefty salutes. Military issue M-80's are made from a plain brown craft paper tube 1-1/2" long and 9/16" diameter, fitted with a thick stiff, green Visco fuse and packaged in boxes of 50. Each Salute bears the words "M-80 Firecracker" and the date of manufacture "4-64". Careful dissection reveals that each firecracker is double plugged at each end with a paper end plug and disk cap. Military M-80's packed a full load of 80 grains which is equivalent to 5.2 grams of flash powder. "M" for Military and "80" for 80 grains. These differ from most flash salutes, which function optimally with some airspace and loose powder. Perhaps this was done because of some government specification that had little to do with performance or perhaps they knew something others did not. After World War II THE M-80 was marketed as a fireworks item for civilian use. The first ones on the market were war surplus. When some of the fireworks dealers saw how well they were received by the public, they began making civilian copies. These copies were sold by the millions in the 1950s and 1960s. The usual civilian M-80 had a red tube of the original dimensions, bearing the words "M-80 FIRECRACKER DO NOT HOLD IN HAND" printed on the outside in bold letters.
MILITARY FORMULA:
- potassium perchlorate KCLO
4 64% - bright pyro aluminum Al 22.5%
- sulfur S 10%
- antimony sulfide Sb
2S
3 3.5%
FORMULA #1 : 50% KNO3 Potassium Nitrate/30% S Sulfur/20% Bright Al Aluminum Comments: This is a relatively safe flash composition. Burns with a brilliant white light in an open tube, or when unconfined. When well confined, it produces a very deep report and a short but intense flash. Thick end plugs required.
FORMULA #2 : 50% KCLO4 Potassium Perchlorate/ 27% Sulfur powder/ 23% Dark German or Indian aluminum powder (Anything under 4 micron for BEST results). Comments : This is a relatively safe formula that is more powerful than the standard formula but should not be used by first time flash producers, atleast being proficient is best. This produces a low/medium pitched report with a nice pressure wave. Thick end plugs may or may not be a requirement depending on the manufacturer of this formula.
FORMULA #3 : 70% KCLO4 Potassium Perchlorate/ 30% Dark German Aluminum or Indian Aluminum powder. The easiest flash powder formula to make. A very standard pyrotechnic composition used in the industry of fireworks. Thick end plugs are never a requirement with this composition.
END PLUGS : paper, plastic, bentonite clay, amber hot glue or white hot glue
Super M-80 AKA Double M-80
- 3" Long
- 9/16" Inner Diameter
- 11/16" Outer Diameter
- Color: Glossy Red
- 6 grams of flash
Double the power of an M-80 hence the name "Double M-80" or "Super M-80"
FORMULA #1 : 50% KNO3 Potassium Nitrate/30% S Sulfur/20% Bright Al Aluminum Comments: This is a relatively safe flash composition. Burns with a brilliant white light in an open tube, or when unconfined. When well confined, it produces a very deep report and a short but intense flash. Thick end plugs required.
FORMULA #2 : 50% KCLO4 Potassium Perchlorate/ 27% Sulfur powder/ 23% Dark German or Indian aluminum powder (Anything under 4 micron for BEST results). Comments: This is a relatively safe formula that is more powerful than the standard formula but should not be used by first time flash producers, atleast being proficient is best. This produces a low/medium pitched report with a nice pressure wave. Thick end plugs may or may not be a requirement depending on the manufacturer of this formula.
FORMULA #3 : 70% KCLO4 Potassium Perchlorate/ 30% Dark German Aluminum or Indian Aluminum powder. The easiest flash powder formula to make. A very standard pyrotechnic composition used in the industry of fireworks. Thick end plugs are never a requirement with this composition.
END PLUGS : paper, plastic, bentonite clay, amber hot glue or white hot glue
M-100's
- 2 1/8" Long
- 3/4" Inner Diameter
- 1" Outer Diameter
- Color: Tan, Gold, RWB, or Red
- 10 grams of flash
Popularly referred to as the "M-1000" in California but still referred to as "M-100" everywhere else in the United States. Not to be confused with "M-1000 / Full Stick". For details please click on "Full Stick / M-1000's" in the context box above. "California M-1000's" are more popular than the M-80 due to their water resistant quality, high power and pocket size.
FORMULA #1 : 50% KNO3 Potassium Nitrate/30% S Sulfur/20% Bright Al Aluminum Comments: This is a relatively safe flash composition. Burns with a brilliant white light in an open tube, or when unconfined. When well confined, it produces a very deep report and a short but intense flash. Thick end plugs required.
FORMULA #2 : 50% KCLO4 Potassium Perchlorate/ 27% Sulfur powder/ 23% Dark German or Indian aluminum powder (Anything under 4 micron for BEST results). Comments: This is a relatively safe formula that is more powerful than the standard formula but should not be used by first time flash producers, at least being proficient is best. This produces a low/medium pitched report with a nice pressure wave. Thick end plugs may or may not be a requirement depending on the manufacturer of this formula.
FORMULA #3 : 70% KCLO4 Potassium Perchlorate/ 30% Dark German Aluminum or Indian Aluminum powder. The easiest flash powder formula to make. A very standard pyrotechnic composition used in the industry of fireworks. Thick end plugs are never a requirement with this composition.
END PLUGS : paper, plastic, bentonite clay, amber hot glue or white hot glue
Block Busters AKA Titanium Ground Salutes
Standard Block Buster
- 2 1/8" Long
- 3/4" Inner Diameter
- 1" Outer Diameter
- Color: Red
- 0.5 gram titanium flake
- 7 Grams of flash
Large Block Buster
- 2-1/2" Long
- 1" Inner Diameter
- 1-1/4" Outer Diameter
- Color: Red
- 1 gram titanium flake
- 14 Grams of flash
A block buster is a titanium salute unlike most titanium salutes that come in mortar shell form. A"titanium salute" is a flash powder explosive that contains small flakes of titanium metal that produce a short but intense shower of white sparks. The effect is most commonly seen in pro display 1.3 salute shell fireworks. Block Busters are most popular on the East Coast United States. Most titanium salutes will have titanium flakes loosely mixed with flash. Sometimes tubes are doped up from the inside with a special glue then dunked into a bowl of titanium flakes. Titanium will adhere to the inner wall. This method makes for an even more special effect i.e. a donut ring in the sky. This may be done in block busters as well depending on the manufacturer. Adding metals in anything larger than flake form is considered a weapon or pipe bomb and should never be attempted. The larger block busters may resemble a quarter stick of dynamite but 14 grams of flash powder comes no where near the power of 14 grams of nitroglycerin.
FORMULA #1 : 50% KNO3 Potassium Nitrate/30% S Sulfur/20% Bright Al Aluminum Comments: This is a relatively safe flash composition. Burns with a brilliant white light in an open tube, or when unconfined. When well confined, it produces a very deep report and a short but intense flash. Thick end plugs required.
FORMULA #2 : 50% KCLO4 Potassium Perchlorate/ 27% Sulfur powder/ 23% Dark German or Indian aluminum powder (Anything under 4 micron for BEST results). Comments: This is a relatively safe formula that is more powerful than the standard formula but should not be used by first time flash producers, atleast being proficient is best. This produces a low/medium pitched report with a nice pressure wave. Thick end plugs may or may not be a requirement depending on the manufacturer of this formula.
FORMULA #3 : 70% KCLO4 Potassium Perchlorate/ 30% Dark German Aluminum or Indian Aluminum powder. The easiest flash powder formula to make. A very standard pyrotechnic composition used in the industry of fireworks. Thick end plugs are never a requirement with this composition.
END PLUGS : paper, plastic, bentonite clay, amber hot glue or white hot glue
Quarter Stick / M-250
Skinny
- 3-1/2" Long
- 3/4" Inner Diameter
- 1" Outer Diameter
- Color: RWB, Red, Tan, Silver or Blue
- 15 grams of flash
Fat
- 2-1/2" Long
- 1" Inner Diameter
- 1-1/4" Outer Diameter
- Color: RWB, Red, Tan or Silver
- 25 Grams of flash
A 1/4 Stick is a ground salute known to carry 15 grams of flash powder resembling a quarter stick of dynamite. The fatter ones carry 25g.
FORMULA #1 : 50% KNO3 Potassium Nitrate/30% S Sulfur/20% Bright Al Aluminum Comments: This is a relatively safe flash composition. Burns with a brilliant white light in an open tube, or when unconfined. When well confined, it produces a very deep report and a short but intense flash. Thick end plugs required.
FORMULA #2 : 50% KCLO4 Potassium Perchlorate/ 27% Sulfur powder/ 23% Dark German or Indian aluminum powder (Anything under 4 micron for BEST results). Comments: This is a relatively safe formula that is more powerful than the standard formula but should not be used by first time flash producers, at least being proficient is best. This produces a low/medium pitched report with a nice pressure wave. Thick end plugs may or may not be a requirement depending on the manufacturer of this formula.
FORMULA #3 : 70% KCLO4 Potassium Perchlorate/ 30% Dark German Aluminum or Indian Aluminum powder. The easiest flash powder formula to make. A very standard pyrotechnic composition used in the industry of fireworks. Thick end plugs are never a requirement with this composition.
END PLUGS : paper, plastic, bentonite clay, amber hot glue or white hot glue
Half Stick / M-500
Skinny
- 6" Long
- 3/4" Inner Diameter
- 1" Outer Diameter
- Color: RWB
- 30 Grams of flash
Fat
- 4"Long
- 1"Inner Diameter
- 1-1/4"Outer Diameter
- Color: RWB or Tan
- 40 Grams of flash
A half stick is a ground salute known to carry double than a regular 1/4 stick. The FAT versions carry 40 grams.
FORMULA #1 : 50% KNO3 Potassium Nitrate/30% S Sulfur/20% Bright Al Aluminum Comments: This is a relatively safe flash composition. Burns with a brilliant white light in an open tube, or when unconfined. When well confined, it produces a very deep report and a short but intense flash. Thick end plugs required.
FORMULA #2 : 50% KCLO4 Potassium Perchlorate/ 27% Sulfur powder/ 23% Dark German or Indian aluminum powder (Anything under 4 micron for BEST results). Comments: This is a relatively safe formula that is more powerful than the standard formula but should not be used by first time flash producers, at least being proficient is best. This produces a low/medium pitched report with a nice pressure wave. Thick end plugs may or may not be a requirement depending on the manufacturer of this formula.
FORMULA #3 : 70% KCLO4 Potassium Perchlorate/ 30% Dark German Aluminum or Indian Aluminum powder. The easiest flash powder formula to make. A very standard pyrotechnic composition used in the industry of fireworks. Thick end plugs are never a requirement with this composition.
END PLUGS : paper, plastic, bentonite clay, amber hot glue or white hot glue
Full Stick / M-1000
- 6" Long
- 1" Inner Diameter
- 1-1/4" Outer Diameter
- Color: RED or RWB
- 80 Grams of flash
A Full Stick / M-1000 is a ground salute known to carry double that of a half stick resembling a full stick of dynamite.
FORMULA #1 : 50% KNO3 Potassium Nitrate/30% S Sulfur/20% Bright Al Aluminum Comments: This is a relatively safe flash composition. Burns with a brilliant white light in an open tube, or when unconfined. When well confined, it produces a very deep report and a short but intense flash. Thick end plugs required.
FORMULA #2 : 50% KCLO4 Potassium Perchlorate/ 27% Sulfur powder/ 23% Dark German or Indian aluminum powder (Anything under 4 micron for BEST results). Comments: This is a relatively safe formula that is more powerful than the standard formula but should not be used by first time flash producers, at least being proficient is best. This produces a low/medium pitched report with a nice pressure wave. Thick end plugs may or may not be a requirement depending on the manufacturer of this formula.
FORMULA #3 : 70% KCLO4 Potassium Perchlorate/ 30% Dark German Aluminum or Indian Aluminum powder. The easiest flash powder formula to make. A very standard pyrotechnic composition used in the industry of fireworks. Thick end plugs are never a requirement with this composition.
END PLUGS : paper, plastic, bentonite clay, amber hot glue or white hot glue
(Class B) Salutes
- As opposed to federally banned salutes, these items are legally available only to licensed pyrotechnicians for use in professional fireworks displays.
- Available in sizes ranging from 1.75" to 8" diameter. Although only available to licensed pyrotechnicians, products have found their way into the black market. Most common are the 2 INCH DS1 & 3 INCH SALUTE SHELLS.
- Other salutes available to licensed pyrotechnicians may come in multi-fire cakes with labels such as "25 -100 Shot Thunder King."
References
- GLOSSARY OF PYRO SALUTE TERMS http://www.fireworksalliance.org/cgi-bin/viewpage.pl?p=glossary
- THE CHEMISTRY OF POWDER & EXPLOSIVES http://ebookee.org/The-Chemistry-of-Powder-and-Explosives_213654.html
- PYROTECHNIC GLOSSARY @ PYROUNIVERSE.COM http://www.pyrouniverse.com/glossary.htm
- UNDERSTANDING AND MAKING EXPLODING FIREWORKS http://www.amazon.com/Professionals-GuideTo-Pyrotechnics-Understanding-Exploding/dp/087364929X
- ↑ T. Davis, The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives, Angriff Press, 1972. ISBN 0-913022-00-4
