CRACKLE MIX IS CRAZY
Added 2025-06-27 01:29:25 +0000 UTCDid you know the crackle (aka dragon eggs) in fireworks actually comes from a type of thermite? As it turns out, if you swap the iron oxide with a mix of bismuth trioxide (up to 70%) and copper oxide (and maybe change some of the aluminum out for magnalium), you go from a slow-burning incendiary to an angry explosive, which can be formed into tiny "microstars" that give all of our classic fireworks their crackle!
The mix I tested was 71% bismuth trioxide, 14% black copper oxide, 10% magnalium, and 5% aluminum, with a bit of red gum and acetone to bind it, and I'm pretty happy with how it performed! Apparently, the black copper oxide (CuO) can be swapped for red copper oxide (Cu2O) to given a more steady crackle, rather than the more individual snaps seen here. I personally mixed these granules into a small batch of titanium tiger tail star (44% potassium nitrate, 33% titanium, 11% charcoal, 6% sulfur, 6% dextrin)...hopefully I'll have video of me testing them here soon!
