Primes
Primes are critical pyrotechnic interface layers that ensure reliable ignition and controlled fire transfer between an ignition source and the main composition. By providing predictable initiation and timing consistency, they play a key role in system performance and safety and are therefore treated as regulated engineering components rather than effect-producing materials.
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Primes in Pyrotechnics — Technical Description
Primes are intermediate pyrotechnic layers applied to reactive or decorative components to ensure reliable ignition and fire transfer. Their primary function is to bridge the gap between an ignition source and a composition that may be difficult to ignite directly, providing consistent and predictable initiation under controlled conditions.
Conceptual Function
A prime typically:
- Is more ignition-sensitive than the main composition it serves
- Produces sufficient heat, flame, or sparks to initiate that composition
- Burns in a controlled manner rather than producing a visual effect
Primes are commonly used on elements such as stars, pellets, delays, or other subcomponents where uniform ignition timing is critical to overall performance.
System Role
From a system perspective, primes contribute to:
- Ignition reliability, especially in low-oxygen or high-velocity environments
- Timing consistency, ensuring effects occur as designed
- Operational safety, reducing the likelihood of misfires or partial ignition
Safety and Regulation
Because primes involve energetic materials and directly influence ignition behavior, their design, application, and use are closely regulated and subject to strict manufacturing and handling standards. In professional pyrotechnics, primes are treated as functional engineering interfaces, not as effect-producing compositions.
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Brilliant core coating composition
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Potassium perchlorate | |
| 34 | Barium nitrate | |
| 10 | Aluminium | fine flake |
| 8 | Rosin | BL combustion agent |
| 9 | Antimony trisulfide | or sulfur |
| 1 | Boric acid | |
| 5 | SGRS |
Changing Relay #1
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Potassium perchlorate | |
| 35 | Potassium nitrate | |
| 24 | Charcoal | Paulownia or Hemp |
| 6 | SGRS |
Changing Relay #2
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 81 | Potassium perchlorate | |
| 13 | Red gum | |
| 6 | SGRS |
Microstar prime
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 57.2 | Potassium nitrate | |
| 11.4 | Charcoal | airfloat |
| 11.4 | Sulfur | |
| 5.7 | Aluminium | dark pyro |
| 11.4 | Silicon | |
| 2.9 | Dextrin |
Monocapa Prime
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 24.6 | Potassium perchlorate | |
| 31.1 | Potassium nitrate | |
| 11.5 | Charcoal | air float |
| 4.1 | Red gum | |
| 4.9 | Sulfur | |
| 7.4 | Iron Oxide | Black |
| 12.3 | Magnalium | 230 mesh |
| 4.1 | Dextrin |
Perigrin BP outer prime
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 93 | Meal powder | |
| 5 | Charcoal | airfloat |
| 2 | Dextrin |
Perigrin Magnalium inner prime
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 73 | Potassium perchlorate | |
| 12 | Red gum | |
| 5 | Charcoal | airfloat |
| 1 | Copper | II |
| 1 | Iron Oxide | Black |
| 4 | Aluminium | dark pyro |
| 4 | Dextrin |
Perigrin Perchlorate prime
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 72 | Potassium perchlorate | |
| 11 | Red gum | |
| 7 | Charcoal | airfloat |
| 5 | Potassium dichromate | |
| 5 | Dextrin |
Priming composition #1
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 44.4 | Barium nitrate | |
| 33.4 | Potassium nitrate | |
| 11.1 | Sulfur | |
| 11.1 | Shellac |
Priming composition #2
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 53 | Potassium permanganate | |
| 47 | Iron | powdered |
Priming composition #3
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | Potassium perchlorate | fine |
| 15 | Charcoal | fine |
| 4 | Red gum | |
| 9 | Manganese dioxide | |
| 4 | Aluminium | fine flake or pyro grade |
| 2 | Dextrin |
Priming composition #4
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 68 | Potassium perchlorate | |
| 20 | Charcoal | airfloat |
| 9 | Silicon | or Aluminium |
| 3 | Dextrin |
Priming composition #6
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 52 | Potassium chlorate | |
| 8 | Potassium nitrate | |
| 30 | Charcoal | |
| 10 | Lampblack | |
| 5 | Binder |
Priming composition #7
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | Sodium nitrate | |
| 15 | Charcoal | Paulownia |
| 5 | Sulfur |
Priming composition #8
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 74 | Potassium perchlorate | |
| 12 | Red gum | or Rosin |
| 6 | Charcoal | paulownia or hemp |
| 3 | Aluminium | fine flake |
| 5 | Potassium dichromate |
Veline's priming
Composition
| Substance | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | Potassium perchlorate | |
| 20 | Charcoal | airfloat |
| 6 | Sawdust | 70 mesh |
| 5 | Iron oxide | Red |
| 5 | Magnalium | |
| 5 | Potassium dichromate | |
| 4 | Dextrin |