🚀 go-pugleaf

Having read with interest various posts on effective flash compositions,
either with or withour sulfur, I would like to add the following empirical
observations; Making flash compositions with Al powder and KClO4 and/or 
KMnO4 I have ascertained that stochiometry is not critical. The ingredients
can be mixed empirically (remembering no incorporation or grinding) and
give more than satisfactory results. I have found such powders need
very little confinement to give an extremely loud report (and a bright
flash). A stip of paper cut from a sheet of A4 and wound around a pen
(say 4-5 layers thick) and crimped at one end, is then filled with the 
loose flash composition and crimped at the other end (by rolling the paper 
over). A sparkler can then be pushed through one end to act as a fuse.
These simple flash crackers were a great success at New Years day being
extremely loud and bright (rivaling PETN based noise makers that I
have seen (based on 1-2 gm PETN)). Furthermore a 35mm film canister
of such a flash mixture will detonate with a sound resembling a high 
explosive in both volume and pitch -- I was very surprised. 

disclaimer: Fash is dangerous, I would not recommend someone attempt what
I have described.

Mark.