This page contains 9 formulas.

DANGER:  Burst charges have a high rate of burn and are considered explosive. Extreme caution must be exercised when preparing, handling, or using any burst composition.

• 1 - Perchlorate-based bursting charges
• 2 - Chlorate-based bursting charges
• 3 - Nitrate-based bursting charges
• 4 - Ofca bursting charge
• 5 - Burst composition to carrier ratios
• 6 - Bursting charge amounts for chrysanthemum shells

Chlorate-based bursting charges

CAUTION: Chlorate-based burst charges should never come into contact with sulfur or sulfur-bearing substances. Use of a flash bag or similar container is recommended.
 

	Shimizu
name	H3
Potassium chlorate	77
Charcoal	23
Dextrin	+2

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Nitrate-based bursting charges
 

	Shimizu
name	BP
Potassium nitrate	75
Sulfur	10
Charcoal	15
Dextrin	+2

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Ofca bursting charge
 

	Ofca
Potassium perchlorate	23
Potassium nitrate	22
Barium nitrate	11
Sulfur	11
Antimony trisulfide	11
Aluminum, flake, 325 mesh	22

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Burst composition to carrier ratios

NOTE: It is not necessary to employ a carrier such as rice hulls or cotton seeds for aerial shell bursts, but using one does spread the fire more rapidly throughout the burst composition. It also conserves the amount of burst composition used by filling some of the space in the shell or flash bag. The following ratios are suggestions only; experimentation through trial and error with various burst charges, with or without carriers, is the best way to decide what is right to use.
 

	Shimizu	Shimizu	Shimizu
shell size	3" and smaller	4" to 6"	8" and larger
Burst composition	80	52	52
Carrier	20	48	48
Burst type	Perchlorate-based	Perchlorate-based,  chlorate-based	Perchlorate-based,  nitrate-based

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Bursting charge amounts for chrysanthemum shells

NOTE: The following bursting charge amounts are suggestions only; experimentation through trial and error with various burst charges and the amount used is the best way to decide what is right to use.
 

	Shimizu	Shimizu	Shimizu	Shimizu	Shimizu	Shimizu	Shimizu
shell diameter	3"	4"	5"	6"	8"	10"	12"
Bursting charge amount	40 g	56 g	70 g	140 g	395 g	950 g	1250 g

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