Pyrotechnic star

<h2 id="procedure">Procedure</h2>
<p>Stars are either rolled, pumped or cut.
</p>
<ul><li>Rolled stars are small cores of a hard material (often lead shot or an organic material such as mustard seeds or even cut stars) which are coated in a rotating mixer similar to a <a href="/facts/Concrete_mixer/LgfluXRJ">concrete mixer</a>. First, water is sprayed on these cores. Then an amount of a <a href="/facts/Pyrotechnic_composition/C1HG3gVw">pyrotechnic composition</a> is placed into the mixer. As these two steps are repeated, the stars grow into a larger <a href="/facts/Spherical/jywYLNM2">spherical</a> shape.</li>
<li>Pumped stars are stars that have been pumped using a star pump. A dampened composition is put in the star pump and is pressed against a flat surface and ejected again, creating cylinder shaped stars.</li>
<li>Cut stars are stars with a dampened composition spread out onto an even layer on a flat surface. These stars are cut into cubes.</li></ul>
<p>Stars are allowed to dry for several days before being placed into fireworks.
</p><p>Priming the stars is often necessary because they may be hard to ignite. Priming consists of coating the surface of the star with a more easily ignited substance, such as black powder.
</p>
<h2 id="putting-into-use">Putting into use</h2>
<p>Stars can be used in aerial shells, <a href="/facts/Roman_candle_(firework)/92705dcS">Roman candles</a>, star <a href="/facts/Fireworks/sPEQcu3h">mines</a>, and certain <a href="/facts/Bottle_rocket/DwbTDCzM">bottle rockets</a>. When used in aerial shells, the stars may sometimes be required to be "primed" with an ignition coating, consisting of a pyrotechnic mixture with an ignition temperature lower than that of the star. This is usually done if the star composition does not ignite easily.
</p>

Pyrotechnic star open-in-new

Pyrotechnic star