Chemicals are beneficial in almost aspect in life. Turns out, colored flames also contain chemical. Those chemicals are beneficial to create the color and other aspects. The color needed for the flame is formed from chemical process. Otherwise, the flame will be an ordinary one.
Here is the list of chemicals that contribute to the magic of colored flames. Let’s see how to make the chemical process.
1. Lithium Chloride
To create colored flame with red color safely, we can use lithium chloride. Lithium chloride belongs to salt compound with chemical formula LiCl. Even though original flame has orange-ish color, but the natural one has unstable color and less vibrant color.
Therefore, to create red color, we can use lithium chloride. First, dip woods on lithium chloride, for better result, leave it for a night so the woods absorb the chemical well. After that, light the woods and make sure to do it outside. You will see red flames as the result of chemical process.
2. Cupric Sulfate
Cupric Sulfate is a chemical that we can use to create green color. Cupric sulfate is also known as copper sulfate. It belongs to example of inorganic compounds found at home with blue color. However, when it gets mixed to the fire, it will create green color.
To create green color, you will need 500 grams of cuprice sulfate, add it to the wood or splash it to the fire. However, be careful not to splash it too hard to avoid flame burst. Make sure that you do the fire and a good ventilated area to avoid any unnecessary and unexpected accident. Even though it is generally safe, the smell of burning can be too overwhelming.
3. Calcium Chloride
To create orange flame we can use calcium chloride. It will create orange color that is more vibrant than the original color. It is good for switching color after another color is made. However, rather than mixing it, let the previous chemical to burn out before using calcium chloride to create orange color.
Belongs to both calcium and chlorine, calcium chloride should not be exposed to naked skin too much. But as long as the right amount is used, the chemical is generally safe for colored flame.
4. Cupric Chloride
While stable flame can have blue color, its color is not as bright as the artificial one. Therefore, we can also use chemical to enhance the color. Cupric chloride belongs to inorganic copper compound. When reacted to the heat, it produces orange burst of flames.
To do so, use glove to apply chemical to the woods before we light the wood. After that, leave the wood for a day for better result. Cupric chloride is generally safe chemical to produce flame but do not let it come in contact to skin or digested because it may ignite allergic reaction from the body.
Also read: Harmful Chemicals in Tattoo Ink
5. Potassium Chloride
Belongs to the potassium and chlorine class, potassium chloride can produce vibrant purple flame. It is good for those who want to create attraction during campfire. The procedure of creating purple flame can be by using wax mechanism.
Safe chemicals for colored flames:
- Melt wax add the chemicals when the wax is half dry.
- Shape the wax into small cakes and we can use the candle to produce purple burst of flames.
- With this method, we do not need to manually apply the chemical to the woods burnt. (Related to Potassium Uses and Properties).
6. Strontium Chloride
Strontium chloride is a chemical that able to create red flame. The red flame is the brighter one compared to the natural flame. By using strontium chloride, you can switch colors along with other type of colors. To use strontium chloride, make sure that it belongs to chlorine so do not interact with it too much.
Use metal or wire sprinkled with the chemical. After that, burn the metal work. This method is different than the previous ones since this chemical may come in a dry or solid form. Otherwise, the result is still maximum and even it will be easier to change color.
7. Magnesium Ribbon
While the other chemicals can produce vibrant color, magnesium ribbon can produce white sparks. Belong to magnesium compound, this chemical can be a safe chemical for colored flame other than the stark and colorful colors like red, blue, or yellow.
The white spark is an alternative combination to create a more diverse colored flames. In order to create the spark, mix the chemical to some of the burning material. Do not splash from too close distance to avoid flame burst. (Related to Chemical Formula and Uses of Magnesium Carbonate).
8. Iron Filings
Another spark maker is iron filings. Iron filings is a chemical that can create yellow spark. The yellow spark is unlike the yellow flame but it will help to create sequential burst of flame instead. In order to use iron filings, note that iron filings is a metal material, thus do not use too much acid material or it will create different reaction. Y
ou can always use the wax method to create yellow spark using iron fillings. Also, make sure that you light the fire in a place with good ventilation, preferably the outdoor as well as an open space where not many stuffs may catch the spark cause it may cause unnecessary fire.
Other safe chemicals to create colored flames
Here are more safe chemicals for colored flames:
- Sodium Borate
- Sodium Carbonate
- Table Salt
- Boric Acid
- Powdered Aluminum
- Alum
- Magnesium Shaving
- Copper Nitrate
- Cupric Chloride
- Powder Coffee
- Sugar
- Rum
There are many others chemicals for colored flames but they could be unsafe for the most part. Therefore, always be careful when you use chemicals to create colored burst of flame from fire. Keep the ventilation open, use safety equipment and always recheck the chemical.
Also read: Harmful Effects of Colours Containing Chemicals Used During Holi
Here are the chemistry process to use safe chemicals for colored flames: