Burst charges
Burst charges are the driving force behind the expansion of many pyrotechnic effects, providing the rapid release of gas and pressure needed to open shells and disperse visual elements. Designed to burn quickly and predictably, they enable controlled spread rather than destructive force, making them a critical yet carefully regulated component in professional pyrotechnics.
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Burst Charges — Overview
Burst charges are a core functional element in many pyrotechnic effects, but they’re also one of the most safety-critical parts. This description is high-level and descriptive, not instructional.
What a Burst Charge Is
A burst charge is a small energetic component inside a pyrotechnic device whose job is to rapidly release gas and pressure. That sudden pressure does one or more of the following:
- Break open a shell or casing
- Scatter stars, sparks, or color-producing elements
- Initiate secondary visual or auditory effects
In short: it’s the “push” that makes the effect expand or separate.
How Burst Charges Function (Conceptually)
When ignited, a burst charge:
- Burns or deflagrates very rapidly (not a high explosive in the detonation sense)
- Produces hot gas and pressure
- Uses that pressure to mechanically disperse other pyrotechnic components
The effect is expansion, not shattering—controlled force rather than violent fragmentation.
Common Characteristics (Non-Formula-Based)
Burst charges are designed to be:
- Fast-burning compared to lift or delay compositions
- Gas-producing, not just flame-producing
- Consistent and predictable, so effects open evenly
They are typically:
- Enclosed within a shell or compartment
- Separated from decorative compositions until activation
- Sized carefully relative to the payload they must disperse
Role in Different Effects
Burst charges appear in many forms of pyrotechnics:
- Aerial shells – to break the shell and spread stars symmetrically
- Stage effects – to open flash pots or confetti effects
- Special effects devices – to trigger rapid transitions or reveals
The same conceptual role applies across all of these: controlled dispersion.
Safety and Regulation Context
Because burst charges involve energetic materials and pressure, they are:
- Highly regulated in most countries
- Restricted to licensed manufacturers and operators
- A major focus of safety standards and testing
Improper design or handling can cause:
- Premature ignition
- Over-pressurization
- Unintended fragmentation
That’s why professional pyrotechnics treats burst charges as engineering components, not just “extra powder.”
Allen chlorate report #1
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 58 | |
| Antimony trisulfide | 33 | |
| Rosin | 9 |
Allen chlorate report #2
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 74 | |
| Red gum | 19 | |
| Charcoal | 5 | |
| Dextrin | 2 |
Allen chlorate report #3
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 57 | |
| Antimony trisulfide | 29 | |
| Rosin | 14 |
Allen chlorate report #4
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 50 | |
| Charcoal | 25 | airfloat |
| Red gum | 25 |
Allen chlorate report #5
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 55 | |
| Antimony trisulfide | 36 | |
| Red gum | 9 |
Allen chlorate report #6
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 57 | |
| Antimony trisulfide | 33 | |
| Rosin | 10 |
Allen chlorate report #7
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 56 | |
| Antimony trisulfide | 15 | |
| Calcium carbonate | 29 |
Allen report formula #1
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium perchlorate | 57 | |
| Sulfur | 38 | |
| Sawdust | 5 |
Allen report formula #2
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium perchlorate | 78 | |
| Sulfur | 19 | |
| Benzene | 3 | |
| Paraffin | 0.1 |
Allen report formula #3
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium perchlorate | 55 | |
| Sulfur | 18 | |
| Antimony trisulfide | 27 |
Ammonium black powder
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ammonium nitrate | 90 | |
| Charcoal | 6 | fine |
| Aluminium | 4 | dark pyro |
Armostrong mix
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium perchlorate | 70 | |
| Red phosphorus | 30 |
Black Powder (Perchlorate)
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium perchlorate | 75 | |
| Charcoal | 15 | airfloat |
| Sulfur | 10 |
BP - Blasting-specific
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium nitrate | 40 | |
| Sulfur | 30 | |
| Sulfur | 30 |
BP - Firearms-specific
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium nitrate | 79 | |
| Charcoal | 18 | |
| Sulfur | 3 |
BP - General purpose
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium nitrate | 75 | |
| Charcoal | 12.5 | |
| Sulfur | 12.5 |
BP - Military-specific
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium nitrate | 76 | |
| Charcoal | 14 | |
| Sulfur | 10 |
BP - Regular
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium nitrate | 75 | |
| Charcoal | 15 | |
| Sulfur | 10 |
Brugere powder
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium nitrate | 57 | |
| Ammonium picrate | 43 |
Chlorate based report #1
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 8 | |
| Potassium nitrate | 45 | |
| Charcoal | 25 | |
| Sulfur | 18 | |
| Sand | 4 |
Chlorate based report #2
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 63 | |
| Potassium nitrate | 11 | |
| Sulfur | 21 | |
| Antimony trisulfide | 5 |
Chlorate based report #3
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 56 | |
| Sulfur | 31 | |
| Lampblack | 13 |
Craig report formula
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium perchlorate | 38 | |
| Barium nitrate | 23 | |
| Sulfur | 2 | |
| Antimony trisulfide | 25 | |
| Rosin | 10 | |
| Meal powder | 2 |
Davis chlorate report
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 50 | |
| Antimony trisulfide | 50 |
Davis report formula #1
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium perchlorate | 84 | |
| Charcoal | 8 | airfloat |
| Rosin | 8 |
Davis report formula #2
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium perchlorate | 34 | |
| Charcoal | 33 | airfloat |
| Rosin | 33 |
Degn report formula
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium perchlorate | 70 | |
| Sodium salicylate | 30 |
Exploding target composition
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 60 | |
| Sulfur | 10 | |
| Antimony trisulfide | 10 | |
| Magnesium | 10 | 200 mesh |
| Aluminium | 10 | |
| Calcium carbonate | 5 |
Faber chlorate report
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 67 | |
| Sulfur | 16.5 | |
| Charcoal | 16.5 | airfloat |
Gold Dust Powder
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ammonium picrate | 55 | |
| Potassium picrate | 25 | |
| Ammonium dichromate | 20 |
H3
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 70 | |
| Charcoal | 30 | Hemp or Paulownia |
| Dextrin | 2 | binder |
H3 Bursting charge
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 75 | |
| Charcoal | 25 | Hemp or Paulownia |
| SGRS | 2 |
Hitt report formula #1
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium perchlorate | 55 | |
| Sulfur | 10 | |
| Antimony trisulfide | 35 |
Hitt report formula #2
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium perchlorate | 55 | |
| Sulfur | 3 | |
| Antimony trisulfide | 42 |
KP
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium perchlorate | 70 | |
| Charcoal | 18 | Hemp or Paulownia |
| Sulfur | 12 | |
| SGRS | 2 | or Dextrin |
Lang report formula
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 63 | |
| Charcoal | 3 | |
| Sulfur | 32 | |
| Zinc carbonate | 1 | |
| Stearin | 1 |
Ofca bursting charge
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium perchlorate | 23 | |
| Potassium nitrate | 22 | |
| Barium nitrate | 11 | |
| Sulfur | 11 | |
| Antimony trisulfide | 11 | |
| Aluminium | 22 | 325 mesh |
Potassium perchlorate bursting charge #1
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium perchlorate | 70 | |
| Charcoal | 30 | Hemp or Paulownia |
| SGRS | 2 |
Potassium perchlorate bursting charge #2
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium perchlorate | 70 | |
| Charcoal | 30 | Hemp or Paulownia |
| Potassium dichromate | 5 | |
| SGRS | 2 |
Potassium perchlorate bursting charge #3
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium perchlorate | 70 | |
| Lampblack | 25 | |
| Potassium dichromate | 5 | |
| SGRS | 2 |
Psm report formula
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium perchlorate | 59 | |
| Sulfur | 30 | |
| Lampblack | 11 | or charcoal |
Red Explosive
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 63 | |
| Realgar | 37 |
Rozzi chlorate report
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 50 | |
| Sulfur | 12.5 | |
| Antimony trisulfide | 37.5 |
Rozzi small shell burst #1
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 83.4 | |
| Charcoal | 8.3 | |
| Rosin | 8.3 |
Rozzi small shell burst #2
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 80 | |
| Charcoal | 10 | |
| Lampblack | 10 |
Shimizu H3
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 88 | |
| Charcoal | 23 | |
| Dextrin | 2 |
Sulfurless powders
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium nitrate | 70.5 | |
| Charcoal | 29.5 |
Toy Pistol Cap
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 60 | |
| Red phosphorus | 8 | |
| Sulfur | 32 |
Weingart chlorate report #1
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 67 | |
| Sulfur | 22 | |
| Antimony | 11 |
Weingart chlorate report #2
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 60 | |
| Potassium nitrate | 12 | |
| Sulfur | 23 | |
| Antimony trisulfide | 5 |
Weingart chlorate report #3
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium chlorate | 60 | |
| Sulfur | 30 | |
| Charcoal | 10 | airfloat |
Yellow powder
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium nitrate | 50 | |
| Potassium carbonate | 33.3 | |
| Sulfur | 16.7 |