Theoretic
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Calcium chlorate
I heard that calcium chlorate is used to give a pink colour in fireworks (not orange!). Does anybody know why is that?
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Theoretic
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From what I see, this question doesn't belong here - 47 viewings and not a single reply.
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DavidThePyro
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Maybe you heard wrong, the only thing I've heard is that calcium compounds give orange.
DavidThePyro in the heezy fo sheezy.
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krimmie
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I have never seen calcium chlorate in any pyrotechnic formula. Red and pink colors are obtained with the use of strontium nitrate as the oxidizer, or
with the combination of strontium carbonate and either KClO3 or KClO4.
Nobody remembers your successes, no one forgets your failures.
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vulture
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Furthermore, group IIa chlorates tend to be extremely hygroscopic.
One shouldn't accept or resort to the mutilation of science to appease the mentally impaired.
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Mumbles
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Perhaps it acts as a chlorine donor. I know that chlorine donors brighten colors and in some cases change it. For instance,
KClO<sub>4</sub> produces a red flame when used in conjunction with Sucrose.
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vulture
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You mean a purple flame because of the potassium ion. All chlorates and perchlorates are chlorine donors.
One shouldn't accept or resort to the mutilation of science to appease the mentally impaired.
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BrAiNFeVeR
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In my electrolysis experiments I saw Ca metal burn and I can confirm it burns with a pink/red color.
So I don't see why calcium chlorate could not emit pink light when in a pyrotechnic composition ...
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Mumbles
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No, I meant red. I've heard that on a few occassions. Never seen a good solid source of it though. Nor do I have any
KClO<sub>4</sub> to test with. If anyone wants to try its a 6:4 ratio, KClO<sub>4</sub> to sucrose.
I know it should make a purple alone. Perhaps the red is in part due to the fact that sugar is also in the mixture. Perhaps the chlorine donation
changes the purple to a red.
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KABOOOM(pyrojustforfun)
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relation between pink colour and calcium chlorate
the only relation I see is calcium chlorate's self! it's white of course but when not very pure is pink I have seen it in my own experiment
when I added pool chlorine to hot water it went pinkish after a few minutes!
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chemoleo
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sorry to disappoint you all, but in the old days I used to make red (yes, red, not pink) pyrotechnic mixtures with a mixture of KClO3/ Ca(Ac)2/sugar,
cus i couldnt get hold of strontium salts. Without the Ca(Ac)2, the flame is purple only of course. But as Ca is a much stronger light emittor than K,
you will only see the teh Calcium emitting a beautifully red light 
[Edited on 5-9-2003 by chemoleo]
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