Armstrong's Mixture: Hammer test and burn rate test.

[BankaiIchigo12345]

Actually it didn't explode when uncontained. While it did burn fast while uncontained enough to go fizz and almost a quiet pop, it didn't go bang. Only when compressed and ignited by compression did it go bang.

Also is armstrong's mix the same component used as the firing cap at the back of a bullet cartridge? I know there's a primer in the back that lights the main propellent in the front. Is that primer an armstrongs mix?

[BankaiIchigo12345]

Also, is armstrongs mix considered a "low explosive" or a "high explosive"?

[FinallyAUniqueName]

@BankaiIchigo12345

Also, just a demonstration of how absurdly dangerous this stuff can be, when made with correct ratios and not crudely thrown together from the chemicals in a box of matches: /watch?v=75JXZdfYHkE&feature=r­elated

[BankaiIchigo12345]

So capguns don't use black powder, and armstrongs mix is not the same as black powder or smokeless powder?

[FinallyAUniqueName]

@BankaiIchigo12345

Correct. As far as I know (having never handled it), black powder would not be sensitive enough to ignite by a cap gun's hammer, nor would it burn fast enough to go BANG when uncontained. Armstrongs mix is absolutely not the same as black powder or smokeless powder. They are all different chemicals/mixtures of chemicals. Armstrong's is a primary explosive, but I'm not sure whether it is classed as high or low. I would guess high, for a pure mixture.

[BankaiIchigo12345]

Is this what they use in kids cap guns? Is this considered a form of gunpowder?

[FinallyAUniqueName]

@BankaiIchigo12345

Yes, the same compound is used for cap guns. And no, it's not a form of gunpowder. It burns much too fast and is way too sensitive to be useful as a firearms propellant. Black powder is the traditional 'gunpowder', which has since been replaced by smokeless powder (Usually a form of nitrocellulose).

[TheDjPitBull]

but the flame is quite cool =) dude i heard something of pop am try to use more striker as matchpowder =) hope it works

[TheDjPitBull]

the first one is NO armstrong mix =(sorry but it looks cool =) check out my vid for real armstrong mix

insomaniac this was verry verry cool but no armstrong mix =(

sorry for my english iam german =)

[Insomniac535]

All the videos there were the exact same mixture, and it IS a sort of armstrong's mixture. It is just that it is impure, and mixed in the wrong ratios with some other chemicals mixed in so it is MUCH less reactive than the 'real' stuff.

[igotverylongname]

OKEY, i tried it, 10 matches , and some flint, i swear to god! it sound like a fucking 9mm gun! :P

[igotverylongname]

so, armstrong explode on contact?

[grineflip]

@igotverylongname think of what it's made of and you'll probably understand

[styx85]

How about grinding them separately with a ceramic mortar and mix them afterwards?

[Insomniac535]

That could work, just be sure that there's no residue of one chemical left over when you go to grind the rest... and this stuff really shoudln't be mixed dry, its only because the matches arn't pure and have other stuff in them that it's possible to dry mix.

[antiswattt2]

you shouldnt be so scared of mixing a bit of matchpowder armstrongs mix.. really.. how many match heads of powder you used ? (: i think its quite funny to let my friend hammer about 6 matches of powder AM 2:1.. 2:1 matchpowder:striker powder (red phosphorus) is the best ratio and you get more with a small amount of striker powder (:

[antiswattt]

i have made some pure kclo3 from matches... and then i thought, because my al/kclo3 doesnt really work /: i can try kclo3 and red phosphorous, and then i burned a little bit and after that i got the hammer >:) and... that was sick.. i did with about 0.1 of the shit.. im gonna have ear protection next time s: and not as much....