## Diatomaceous Earth

**Formula**

Complex mineral which is rich in Silica (80-90%)

**Pyrotechnics use**

???

**Synonyms**

diatomite, celite or kieselguhr 

**Description**

A naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that can be crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. It has a particle size ranging from more than 3 mm to less than 1 μm, but typically 10 to 200 μm.[1] Depending on the granularity, this powder can have an abrasive feel, similar to pumice powder, and has a low density as a result of its high porosity. The typical chemical composition of oven-dried diatomaceous earth is 80–90% silica, with 2–4% alumina (attributed mostly to clay minerals), and 0.5–2% iron oxide.

Diatomaceous earth consists of the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled microalgae, that have accumulated over millions of years.

```
Name: Fence-post prime

Type: Prime
Source: Eugene Yurek

Potassium Nitrate             65
Charcoal Airfloat             12
Sulfur                        10
Diatomaceous Earth             5
Silicon (325 mesh)             5
Charcoal, spruce, ball milled  3

Named for it's purported ability to light wet fence posts in a hurricane. The silicon burns and forms molten glass.

I don't want to copy and paste the comments from passfire here but I'll try to cover a few bases.. The DE makes this stuff pretty fluffy. Use about 1/3 less than you would with a regular prime. A layer 1-1.5mm thick is all you should ever need. If your stars are ridiculously difficult, up the silicon to no more than 10%.

Source: https://www.amateurpyro.com/forums/topic/2676-fence-post-prime/
```

**Sources** 


**Hazards**
 
Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth