Photography

Flash powder

Flash powder is a highly energetic and explosive pyrotechnic composition, a mixture of an oxidizer and a metallic fuel, which burns quickly (deflagrates) and produces a loud noise, regardless of confinement in some formulations. It is widely used in theatrical and display pyrotechnics and consumer fireworks, and was once used for flash photography. Different varieties of flash powder are made from different compositions; most common are potassium perchlorate and aluminium powder. Early formulations used potassium chlorate instead of potassium perchlorate. Flash powder compositions are also used in military pyrotechnics when production of large amount of noise or light is required, e.g., stun grenades, battle simulator devices, and photoflash bombs.

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See also

• ▸Frederick Gutekunst
• ▸Arctic convoys of World War II
• ▸Art Spiegelman

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