Wire sparklers

There are two main types of sparkler wire sparklers that are sold in many shops for most of the year and tubed sparklers that resemble pencils in shape and size. 

The wire sparkler might look the simpler of the two types but it can in fact be the more difficult to make. First, a good quality wire must be used that will not corrode during the subsequent dipping operations or on storage. 

As well as acting as a support for the pyrotechnic composition, the steel wire serves as a heat conductor, promoting the smooth propagation of the pyrotechnic reaction along the sparkler. 

A common problem in the production of gold sparklers is the tendency for the Ba(N03)2 and A1 to react in the wet slurry according to reaction (6.1)  

This decomposition evolves heat which further accelerates the reaction which is detectable by the smell of ammonia. The reaction rate is 

---

Wire sparklers Wiring coating Wiron S Witcamide Witcamide 70 Witcamide CPA Witcamine Witch hazel distillate Witcolate Witcolate AM Witcolate D-510 Witcolate TTS500 Witcolate WAC-LA Witconate Witconol... 

Consumer Fireworks. An assortment of small fireworks devices are permitted for use by private citizens in many areas in the United States and elsewhere throughout the wodd. These devices consist of items such as wire sparklers, fountains, Roman candles, sky rockets, mines, and small aerial shells. 

Wire sparklers are wires coated with pyrotechnic composition which are hand-held and produce a gende spray of gold sparks from iron filings. Fountains are cardboard tubes filled with chemical mixtures that produce a spray of color and sparks extending 2—5 m into the air. Roman candles are cylindrical tubes which repeatedly fire colored stars distances of 5—20 m into the air. These items typically contain 5—12 stars. 

The following composition illustrates the use of steel hlings for wire sparklers (the salient features of spark production having been discussed during the considerations in the preceding chapter). 

Iron, in the form of fine filings, will burn and ean be used to produee attraetive gold sparks, such as in the traditional wire sparkler. The small percentage (less than 1%) of carbon in steel ean eause an attraetive branching of the sparks due to earbon dioxide gas formation as the metal particles bum in air. 

In the case of sparklers they should not be handled by small children who might chew at the live composition, poke the wires into their eyes, burn themselves with sparks or pick up the burnt-out wires while still hot. Sparklers should not be handed around while burning, they should not be used near animals, the eyes, flammable materials or other fireworks. 

SPARKLER Wire coated along one end with explosive composition, and designed either to be non-hand held (i.e. free-standing or hxed to a support) or to be held in the hand. 

These devices are made in the same way as sparklers, by dipping wires or twisted narrow strips of iron or thin sticks of wood, and generally burn with a tranquil flame except for the sparks that come from the burning of the iron wire or strip. Several typical compositions are listed. Alcohol is used for applying the... 

---