Fireworks Chemicals Page

The following is a partial list of the chemicals that have been and are currently used to make fireworks. It is provided so people have a basic understanding of what some of the chemicals are in fireworks and what their properties are. It is far from comprehensive and only very basic.

See How Stars Are Made Page for a description of how fireworks stars are made with these chemicals.

Please note that some of these chemicals are not used in US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Consumer Fireworks (see Prohibited Chemicals Page) or in Display Fireworks that are commercially available in the United States. Some of these chemicals are no longer viable to handle or put into commercial fireworks, too expensive to use or have mostly been replaced with other chemicals that provide better performance.

Some may still be used for military or signal pyrotechnics, and by some that are attempting to develop improved colors or effects. Also see the Materials Page for the non-chemical ingredients in fireworks.

Also keep in mind that the majority of these chemicals consumed when the fireworks function. They give off light, heat energy, CO2 and other gasses and residue. What is left is what is primarily the paper and cardboard casings and tubes.

Do not assume that making fireworks is almost like making bread or a pastry! It isn't enough to know what quantities of what ingredients to toss in a bowl, pour some goop in a pan, toss it in an oven and then pull it out. There are specific ingredients with specific qualities that are need, they need to be put together in a certain way and a certain order. Then the mixture must be handled and processed in a special way with each step taken exactly as prescribed and then perhaps there will be success ….. ort something tossed outside for the birds to eat instead.

The same is true for making fireworks too. Some formulations need to be precisely measured, or the mesh sizes or purity exact, or other specific equipment used or steps taken in order to get them to work right ….. and safely.

 

Chemical

  

Abbr

  

Common Name

  

Property

  

Color/effect

  

Note
Aluminum Al   Fuel Silver, flash The most commonly used metal powder fuel to create flash powder and silvery-white sparkling effects in sparklers, gerbs, fountains, waterfalls, etc.
Ammonium nitrate NH4NO3   Oxygen donor   Not commonly used because of the problems with hygroscopicity and sensitivity with other chemicals.
Ammonium perchlorate NH4NO4   Oxygen donor   A primary oxidizer in many star compositions and other effects. Produces intense blues and reds when used with copper salts and strontium salts, however mixing with chlorates can create an unstable composition.
Anthracene C14H10   Smoke Ingredient   Used in combination with potassium perchlorate to produce black smokes.
Antimony Sb   Fuel White, Glitter Used most frequently to create glitter effects.
Antimony trisulfide SB2S3   Fuel Glitter Used by some who believe it will add a little extra crack to their flash powder reports. Handling is a problem because of toxicity and messiness.
Barium carbonate BaCO3   Color agent, Neutralizer Green Provides a fair green color, but also can help to reduce acidity in some compositions.
Barium chlorate Ba(ClO3)2·H2O   Color Agent, Oxygen donor Green, silver Was once used to create greens, but must be used only with compounds that will reduce sensitivity to shock and friction.
Barium nitrate Ba(NO3)2   Color agent, Enhancer, and Oxygen donor Green, silver A poor green effect as a coloring agent by itself. Boric acid often used with compositions with Al. Sometimes used in flash compositions.
Barium oxalate BaC2O4·H2O   Color Agent, Oxygen donor Green, silver Rarely used in fireworks, but sometimes used in signaling applications
Barium salts     Color agent   The basis for green colors in fireworks.
Barium sulfate BaSO4   Color Agent, Oxygen donor   An excellent green color agent and oxidizer for strobe compositions. Sometimes used for glitter compositions as a delay.
Blackpowder   Once known as gunpowder Propellant, explosive, primer   The basis for all fireworks. Potassium nitrate, charcoal and sulfur (75:15:10)
Boric acid H3BO3   Neutralizer   This mild acid is used primarily in some compositions containing aluminum to reduce sensitivity.
Calcium carbonate CaCO3   Neutralizer   A sensitivity reducer for chlorate and aluminum compositions.
Calcium oxalate CaC2O4   Color enhancer   Improves color saturation in compositions with metal salts color Agent.
Calcium silicide CaSi2     Smokes  
Calcium sulfate CaCO4 Plaster of Paris or Gypsum Color Agent, Oxygen donor Orange, red A good high temperature oxidizer and occasionally used in strobe formulas.
Carbon C Lampblack Fuel Orange, gold Very dirty to work with but makes wonderful stars for willow and spider style aerial shells.
Carbon C Charcoal Fuel Orange, gold The primary fuel source in blackpowder and various formulas. There are a variety of types of charcoal dependent on the source of the wood or fiber. The type of charcoal can have a dramatic impact on the quality and performance of the blackpowder.
Carbon C Coal dust Fuel Orange, gold Coal dust is used in some countries where it is cheap and readily available.
Castor oil     Stabilizer   Used to coat sensitive metals to protect them during processing, especially magnesium.
Chlorine Cl   Color intensifier   Provided in Saran ™ and, Parlon ™ or PVC.
Copper acetoarsenite (CuO)3As2O3Cu(C2H3O2)2 Paris Green Color agent Blue Rarely used because of toxicity but makes the one of the best blues.
Copper carbonate CuCO3   Color agent Blue Frequently used with ammonium perchlorate.
Copper chloride CuCl   Color agent   The richest blue flame agent of all and flexible with a number of oxidizers. Good hygroscopic properties.
Copper metal Cu   Color agent Blue, Green Rarely used since other compounds are easier to work with and more effective.
Copper oxide CuO   Oxygen donor, color agent Blue  
Copper oxychloride Cu2O   Oxygen donor, color agent Blue Not used much in modern fireworks because of the need for mercury chloride to bring out the color.
Copper salts (except copper chlorate)     Color agent Blue  
Cryolite Na3AlF6 Greenland spar Color agent Yellow A sodium salt that does not absorb water, making it ideal for use in fireworks compositions.
Dextrine (C6H10O5)n   Fuel, binder   The most regularly used binder for compositions. Cheap, easy to use and work with, water soluble and holds most formulas together well after drying.
Gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) C7H6O55·H2O   Fuel Whistles Sensitive to impact and friction if combined with potassium chlorate and even potassium perchlorate. Not commonly used.
Gum resins (accroid resin, shellac, gum copal and red gum)     Fuel, binders   Less commonly used than Dextrine, but works well for specific mixtures.
Hexachlorobenzene C6Cl6   Color Enhancer   A chlorine donor that has been replaced by others that are more efficient.
Hexachloroethane C2Cl6     Smoke More often found in military devices.
Hexamethylenenetetramine (hexamine) (CH2)6N4   Oxygen enhancer Yellow  
Iron Fe   Fuel Silver The metal filings are one of the oldest sources for "color" in fireworks. Usually linseed oil is mixed with it to coat it and protect it because the filings rust so quickly.
Lactose C12H22O11·H2O Milk sugar Fuel Smoke A cheap, easy fuel for smoke devices.
Linseed oil      Stabilizer   Like castor oil, used to cover metal fuels to prevent their natural oxidation and deterioration.
Lithium carbonate Li2CO3   Color agent Red Poor color agent, used in some SPFX but mostly replaced by strontium salts.
Magnalium (magnesium-aluminum alloy) MgAl   Fuel Silver, white A more stable and less expensive alloy to replace magnesium in some compositions. Easier to work with, safer and less expensive.
Magnesium Mg   Fuel White Used to brighten some effects and colors. Difficult to work with because of sensitivity and because it burns at such a high temperature, washes out any other colors
Magnesium carbonate MgCO3   Neutralizer   Helps potassium chlorate or perchlorate more free flowing. Also used in some smoke formulations
Magnesium sulfate     Oxygen donor    
Nitrocellulose-based lacquers     Binder   Use primarily in safety fuses to provide waterproofing.
Parlon ™   Chlorinated isoprene rubber Color enhancer, Binder   A more commonly used chlorine donor than PVC. Some star compositions have a richer color with the addition of Parlon ™.
Petroleum jelly (Vaseline)     Stabilizer   Occasionally used to protect metal powders e.g. iron by coating them with a thin film of petroleum jelly.
Phosphorus P   Fuel   In fireworks, red phosphorous is used only in toy caps and party poppers. Phosphorous makes compositions very sensitive to shock and friction and combining it with many pyrotechnic formulas can result in an explosion on contact. This is why it is used to tip strike anywhere matches and signal devices. Yellow phosphorous is used only in some military applications. Phosphorous is also toxic to breathe or handle and requires special facilities for storage and manufacturing and personal protective equipment to handle.
Phosphorus (red) P   Fuel   Phosphorus is rarely used in pyrotechnics today, except for a few specialized applications. It was used commonly many years ago, but as the hazards associated with its use became known it dropped out of use.
Polyester     Stabilizer   A more efficient coating of metal powders to protect them than the oils.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (CH2=CHCl)n PVC Color enhancer   A chlorine donor sometimes used in green star formulations
Potassium benzoate C6H5CO2K   Fuel Whistle One of the more common whistle ingredients. Requires some special conditions for safe mixing and pressing.
Potassium chlorate KClO3   Oxygen donor   An important oxygen donor, however in the presence of sulfur, ammonium salts, and phosphorus or any acidity, it creates an extremely high shock and friction risk. Some fireworks makers use it to improve the performance of their products, especially fuses and quickmatch and some star formulas. Others use it because it costs less and is more easily obtained. Banned in English fireworks since 1875.
Potassium dichromate K2Cr2O7   Oxygen donor   Generally found with potassium perchlorate compositions.
Potassium hydrogen phthalate     Fuel  Whistle  
Potassium nitrate KNO3 Saltpeter Oxygen donor   A basic ingredient of gunpowder and a number of other common formulations.
Potassium or sodium benzoate     Fuel Whistle  
Potassium perchlorate KClO4   Oxygen donor   The primary oxidizer used in most fireworks because of its excellent performance and stability.
Potassium picrate C6H2(NO2)3OK   Fuel Whistle Very sensitive to shock and friction, so used very rarely.
Potassium sulfate K2SO4   Oxygen donor   Mostly used in strobe formulas.
Saran ™     Color Enhancer, Binder   The most commonly used chlorine donor. Easy to work with, inexpensive and stable performance.
Sodium bicarbonate (sodium hydrogen carbonate) NaHCO3  Baking soda Color agent, Neutralizer Yellow A fair to poor yellow coloring agent. Generally a delay agent in some glitter compositions.
Sodium nitrate NaNO3 Chile saltpeter Oxygen donor Yellow Very hygroscopic so only used in some compositions.
Sodium oxalate Na2C2O4   Oxygen donor Yellow, glitter Another fair to poor yellow and delay agent.
Sodium salicylate NaC7H5O3   Fuel Whistle Very useful whistle fuel.
Sodium silicate Na2O 2SiO2 Water glass Neutralizer   Only limited uses in some items.
Sodium salts (except sodium ch1orate)     Color Agent Orange, yellow Inexpensive but hygroscopic, they are sometimes used in place of potassium salts.
Sodium sulphate Na2SO4   Color agent, Oxygen donor Yellow Sometimes used in some yellow strobe compositions.
Starch (C6H10O5)n Rice starch corn starch Fuel/Binder   Binds some star compositions and reduces burning speeds
Stearine   Stearic acid Fuel   Lengthens flames and reduces some friction sensitivity in some compositions
Strontium carbonate SrCO3   Color agent, Retardant Red Produces a good red, sometimes used to slow some mixtures burning.
Strontium nitrate Sr(NO3)2   Color agent, Oxygen donor Red Used in road flares (fusees) and many other red compositions because of the excellent red, especially in combination with metal fuels
Strontium oxalate SrC2O4·H2O   Color agent, Retardant, Neutralizer Red, glitter A fair red color but the water content slows it down too much.
Strontium salts (except strontium chlorate)     Color agent Red  
Strontium sulfate SrSO4   Color agent, Oxygen donor Red A useful ingredient in red strobe mixtures.
Sucrose C12H22O11 Beet or cane sugar Fuel Smoke  
Sulfur S   Fuel   One of the basic ingredients for many fireworks. Flowers of sulphur is too acidic and if used need a stabilizer added. Sulphur and chlorates or phosphorous are extremely shock and friction sensitive and should be avoided. Used primarily with nitrates.
Titanium Ti   Fuel Silver Flake titanium is often added to salutes and other formulations to add silver-blue sparks.
Zinc Zn   Fuel, color agent Green, Smokes Sensitive to moisture and spontaneous combustion. Rarely used anymore as a primary fuel but sometimes used as a secondary enhancement fuel.
Zinc Oxide ZnO   Fuel Smokes and flares Used in old Very lights

© July 1998, pyro-pages.com, inc. ™ , La Crosse, WI USA. All rights reserved worldwide.

Revised July 17, 1998