Flash powder

Flash powder is a <a href="/facts/Pyrotechnic_composition/C1HG3gVw">pyrotechnic composition</a>, a mixture of an <a href="/facts/Oxidizer/1FQzB8pQ">oxidizer</a> and a <a href="/facts/Metal/pqQVs8QU">metallic</a> <a href="/facts/Fuel/H8DIRL1j">fuel</a>, which burns quickly (deflagrates) and produces a loud noise, regardless of confinement in some formulations. It is widely used in theatrical and display <a href="/facts/Pyrotechnics/Gocs5Gcu">pyrotechnics</a> and consumer <a href="/facts/Fireworks/sPEQcu3h">fireworks</a> (namely <a href="/facts/Firecracker/jmqKzF8F">firecrackers</a>, professional <a href="/facts/Salute_(pyrotechnics)/Y8LxIz6B">salutes</a>, and formerly in banned items such as <a href="/facts/Cherry_bomb/t9SF6HcT">cherry bombs</a> and <a href="/facts/M-80_(explosive)/p769p8uC">M-80s</a>) and was once used for <a href="/facts/Flash_(photography)/bfegk3Xy">flashes</a> in <a href="/facts/Photography/ezLPT43M">photography</a>.

Different varieties of flash powder are made from different compositions; most common are <a href="/facts/Potassium_perchlorate/h4KmomHk">potassium perchlorate</a> and <a href="/facts/Aluminium_powder/w9tC868U">aluminium powder</a>. Early formulations used <a href="/facts/Potassium_chlorate/rARLS99c">potassium chlorate</a> instead of potassium perchlorate.
Flash powder compositions are also used in military pyrotechnics when production of large amount of noise or light is required, e.g., <a href="/facts/Stun_grenade/PM5h5PHL">stun grenades</a>, battle simulator devices, and <a href="/facts/Photoflash_bomb/CJf4YqDb">photoflash bombs</a>.

Flash powder open-in-new

Flash powder