Strobe rocket fuel
Strobe rockets function similar to strobe stars in that the reaction oscillates between flash and smoulder phase.
White / Green
| Ammonium Perchlorate | 60 |
| Barium Sulfate | 15 |
| Magnalium, -200 mesh | 23.5 |
| Magnesium, 100 mesh, flakes | 1.5 |
| Potassium dichromate | +5 |
| Nitrocellulose Lacquer | 10% |
| Ammonium Perchlorate | 57 |
| Magnalium, 200 mesh | 24 |
| Barium Sulfate | 14 |
| Potassium Dichromate | 5 |
| Mineral Oil | +2 |
Note: Barium sulfate can be replaced with various other metal sulfates to obtain different colors.
Blue
| Ammonium Perchlorate | 63 |
| Silicone II | 22 |
| Copper(II) Oxide | 10 |
| PVC | 5 |
Preparation: Mix the copper oxide, PVC and silicone first, in a plastic bag. Then mix in the ammonium perchlorate. The stuff is said to be somewhat crumbly, and presses well.
Warning
Magnesium/magnalium with ammonium perchlorate: Moisture will react with magnesium forming magnesium hydroxide. Magnesium hydroxide will react further with ammonium perchlorate, forming ammonia and magnesium perchlorate. Magnesium perchlorate is hygroscopic, and will draw more moisture from air. The reaction of anhydrous magnesium perchlorate with moisture generates heat. Linseed oil does not protect magnesium/magnalium from ammonium perchlorate! Prevention: ALWAYS COAT MAGNESIUM/MAGNALIUM WITH POTASSIUM DICHROMATE. POWDERED DICHROMATE ADDED TO THE COMPOSITION WILL NOT PREVENT THE REACTION.
Potassium dichromate is toxic and a known carcinogen. A good respirator and rubber gloves are required when working with this chemical, and when using it in pyrotechnic compositions. Don’t breathe this stuff or get it on your skin. Wear your protective gear even when you are pressing the finished fuel in the rocket motor.
