Add ammonium chemicals

TODO.md

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+# TODO list
+
+- Process links from: <http://www.freepyroinfo.com/pyrotechnic_links.html>
+
+## Glossary
+
+Priming (BP prime)
+
+## Chems
+
+Chlorine donors: PVC, PVDC saran, Chlorinated rubber parlon

chapters/99-0-chemicals.md

@@ -1,5 +1,12 @@
 # Chemicals
 
-A chemical substance is a form of matter having constant chemical composition and characteristic properties. Some references add that chemical substance cannot be separated into its constituent elements by physical separation methods, i.e., without breaking chemical bonds. Chemical substances can be simple substances, chemical compounds, or alloys.
+A chemical substance is a form of matter having constant chemical composition
+and characteristic properties. Some references add that chemical substance
+cannot be separated into its constituent elements by physical separation
+methods, i.e., without breaking chemical bonds. Chemical substances can be
+simple substances, chemical compounds, or alloys.
 
-In pyrotechnics specific chemicals are used for creating different effects. Some are used as helpers during manufacturing like solvents and binders.
+In pyrotechnics specific chemicals are used for creating different effects.
+Some are used as helpers during manufacturing like solvents and binders.
+
+\newpage

chapters/99-1-chemical-acetone.md

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+## Acetone
+
+**Formula**
+
+$C3H6O$
+
+**Description**
+
+Acetone is a very volatile flammable liquid that is commonly used as a solvent.
+Nitrocellulose, parlon and red gum dissolve very well in acetone. The solution
+of nitrocellulose is called nitrocellulose lacquer. Working with acetone can be
+difficult as compositions dry out very quickly. The evaporation of the acetone
+also causes cooling of composition, sometimes even below 0° C. This can result
+in condensation of water.
+
+**Sources**
+
+Acetone can usually be bought at any paint store. Making acetone at home is
+very impractical and unnecessary as it can be bought just about anywhere at low
+cost.
+
+**Hazards**
+
+Acetone is very volatile and flammable. Acetone vapour is heavier than air and
+spreads over the ground. Only work with acetone outside or in a well ventilated
+area.

chapters/99-1-chemical-aluminium.md

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+## Aluminium
+
+**Formula**
+
+$Al$
+
+**Synonyms**
+
+Aluminium metal
+
+**Description**
+
+Aluminium powder is one of the most often used fuels in pyrotechnics. A wide
+range of effects are possible with different types of powder, with differences
+in particle size, shape and impurities. The finest powders (e.g., German Dark
+and XD-30) can be 'airfloat', and are commonly used in flash compostions. Fine
+aluminium is also used in small percentages in some hobby-rocket fuels. Courser
+powders are generally used for sparkling effects. With these larger particle
+types, many effects--such as flitter, glitter, firefly and snowball--can be
+achieved.
+
+**Sources**
+
+Aluminium powder is sometimes sold as a pigment in (art) paint stores. This
+powder, known as 'aluminium bronze', is a flaky powder with a stearin coating.
+It is quite expensive but readily available and a source for small quantities.
+Aluminium grit and turnings can sometimes be found in machine shops were
+aluminium is processed. If fine enough this can be used as is, but it can also
+be ball milled into flakes. These flakes are quite reactive as they have a
+large surface area and can be used for several effects. Sanding aluminium
+chunks can also make aluminium powder. I've heard of people building a machine
+to do this, and the results can be quite good depending on the sanding paper
+used and the set-up. Another source of usable aluminium powder is to burn
+tetra-paks, and then powder the resultant aluminium residue in a ball mill.
+Aluminium powder can also be found inside an Etch A Sketch. In Boating stores,
+it can be found as a two component epoxy for protection of boat hulls against
+UV radiation, mesh size is questionable.
+
+**Dark (Pyro) Aluminium type**
+
+It is a very fine powder and dark grey in colour. Nominal mesh size is 200 but
+it contains particles of 2µ. There is a wide variety of uses for dark
+aluminium, for example: flash powders, star compositons, fountains, waterfalls,
+torches, flares, etc. For all this purposes it is generally used as a fuel.
+Many powders sold as "dark" aren´t really dark aluminium but the atomized type
+(often 63µ) and although the color of the former may vary it has to be dark
+grey and not light grey or even whitish grey (some of the best dark aluminium
+comes from Eckart Germany and this powder is nearly black in color = German
+Dark). Under the microscope it´s possible to identify atomized and dark powders
+quite well: the former are spherical in shape while the latter are irregular
+and angular. Dark alu is generally the most expensive of all the alu powders.
+
+**Atomatized Aluminium powder type**
+
+Atomized Aluminuim is increasingly used in fireworks although there are only
+limited uses for it (this is because spherical or spindle shaped particles are
+more difficult to ignite than a flake). In practice no material coarser than
+120 mesh can be used and commercial atomized powders are generally 300+ mesh
+and light grey to grey in colour. It is needed for glitter effects and other
+special stars, to give an example only.
+
+**Flake Aluminium type**
+
+There are mainly three different types of flake alu (all silver in colour). The
+first is "bronze" also known as paint grade aluminium. This fluffy powder is
+used for making paint and the particle size is very fine (sometimes less than
+2µ). Paint aluminium generally contains grease or stearine (the content varies
+from one to four percent by weight) which decreases its reactivity.
+Nevertheless aluminium bronze is easily obtained from an artist supply and
+produces quite good silver effects. It can be used wherever "bright" aluminium
+is mentioned in a composition. Generally it´s a dirty business to work with
+fatty aluminium. It only passes the mesh when accompanied by another material.
+The second flake aluminium is the real "bright" or "brilliant" powder we can
+subsitute with bronze for most purposes. Bright alu usually passes 120 mesh
+(nominal mesh Flake Aluminiumsize 120-200) and like "bronze" is very fluffy and
+leafing mass. The main difference to the latter is that brilliant powders
+contain less grease/stearine (0,5% by weight max) or are coated with another
+material which means that they aren´t as fatty to handle as bronze grades. They
+are used as a fuel for many purposes and to obtain silver effects. The third
+flake grade is called "flitter" which means flake powders of a larger mesh size
+than bright aluminium. It is sold as "fine", "middle" and "coarse"
+flake/flitter. Some people think that using flitter larger mesh variations are
+allowed. Sometimes this might be true but corresponding to the correct mesh
+size often makes the critical difference. As a rule of thumb fine flitter is:
+80-120 mesh, middle flitter is: 30-80 mesh and coarse flitter (=coarse flake)
+is 10-30 mesh.
+
+Aluminium Particle Types: <PICTURE>
+
+**Hazards**
+
+Aluminium is a neurotoxin that alters the function of the blood-brain barrier.
+Additionally small particles that are airborne act as tiny razors when they
+come in contact with lung or eye tissue, and a dust mask and goggles should be
+worn at all times when working with aluminium powder. Mixtures containing
+nitrates and aluminium powder are prone to heating up spontaneously and may
+ignite, especially when wet. This is caused by the reduction of the nitrate by
+aluminium, forming amides. These very basic compounds react further with
+aluminium powder in a very exothermic reaction that can cause spontaneous
+ignition. An ammonia smell is often produced in this reaction. Adding 1 to 2%
+boric acid to compositions containing nitrates and aluminium is common practice
+and will often prevent spontaneous ignition.

chapters/99-1-chemical-ammonium-chloride.md

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+## Ammonium chloride
+
+**Formula**
+
+$NH4Cl$
+
+**Synonyms**
+
+Zalmiak
+
+**Description**
+
+Ammonium chloride is used in smoke compositions.
+When heated ammonium chloride decomposes to HCl and NH3, both gasses. These
+recombine in the air to give a smoke consisting of fine particles of ammonium
+chloride.
+
+**Sources**
+
+Ammonium chloride solution is easily prepared by neutralising ammonia
+solution with hydrochloric acid. It is advised to use a slight excess of
+ammonia. That is to make sure no remaining acid will be present in the ammonium
+chloride obtained on evaporation and crystallisation. Otherwise traces of the
+acid solution may be enclosed in the crystals, possibly leading to spontaneous
+ignition of mixtures made with it.
+
+**Hazards**
+
+Ammonium chloride based smoke is irritating to the eyes and lungs as
+it contains some remaining HCl and NH3. Ammonium chloride itself is not
+poisonous and is even used in some type of candy. But as with all fine powders
+a dust mask must be worn, and since ammonium chloride is irritating to the skin
+and damaging to the eyes, gloves and goggles are important. Acording to
+Shimizu, ammonium chloride forms an exception to the rule that ammonium
+compounds should not be mixed with chlorates. Due to the lower solubility of
+potassium chlorate (compared to ammonium chlorate) no ammonium chlorate should
+form. I personally would still use these mixtures with great caution (or avoid
+them) since it seems inevitable that small amounts of ammonium chlorate will
+still form. The lower solubility of potassium chlorate will make it the -main-
+product in a double decomposition reaction but not the -only- product. It is
+strongly advised not to mix with metal powders, specifically copper, because it
+will become extremely corrosive. Toxicity: Oral rat LD50 : 1650 mg/kg
+Investigated as a mutagen.

chapters/99-1-chemical-ammonium-dichromate.md

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+## Ammonium dichromate
+
+**Formula**
+
+$(NH4)2Cr2O7$
+
+**Synonyms**
+
+Ammonium Pyrochromate
+
+**Description**
+
+Ammonium dichromate is sometimes used to suppress the reaction of magnesium in an ammonium perchlorate-type composition. In this case it is better than potassium dichromate, which is normally used for this purpose.
+
+**Hazards**
+
+Ammonium dichromate is one of the most hazardous pyro chemicals.
+
+It is explosive as a standalone and listed T+ because of it´s nature as a potential carcinogene.
+
+It is absorbed through the skin, and is corrosive. Maximum safety measures necessary!!!

chapters/99-1-chemical-ammonium-nitrate.md

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+## Ammonium nitrate
+
+**Formula**
+
+$NH4NO3$
+
+**Synonyms**
+
+ammonia nitre
+
+**Description**
+
+Ammonium nitrate is an oxidiser. It is very hygroscopic and therefore not used
+very often in fireworks. It finds some use in composite propellants, but
+performance is not as good as perchlorate-based propellants.
+
+**Sources**
+
+Ammonium nitrate solution can be prepared by neutralising ammonia solution with
+nitric acid. It is advised to use a slight excess of ammonia. That is to make
+sure no remaining acid will be present in the ammonium nitrate obtained on
+evaporation and crystallisation. Otherwise traces of the acid solution may be
+enclosed in the crystals, possibly leading to spontaneous ignition of mixtures
+made with it. Large quantities of ammonium nitrate can also be cheaply bought
+as fertilizer. ammonium nitrate can be extracted from ferilizer with water
+leaving the ammonium sulfate(solid) behind.Ammonium nitrate can also be found
+as the active agent in instant cold packs.
+
+**Hazards**
+
+Large masses of ammonium nitrate have been known to explode on some occasions
+although it is very insensitive. Smaller quantities are less likely to
+detonate. The risk of detonation increases when ammonium nitrate is molten or
+mixed with fuels such as metal powders or organic substances. Ammonium nitrate
+should never be mixed with chlorates as this may result in ammonium chlorate
+formation, possibly leading to spontaneous ignition. Mixtures of metal powders
+and ammonium nitrate are likely to heat up spontaneously and may ignite,
+especially when moist. This can sometimes be prevented by the addition of small
+amounts of boric acid (1 to 2%), but in general it is better to avoid these
+mixtures at all. The hygroscopic nature of ammonium nitrates makes this problem
+worse (also see aluminium). Toxicity: Oral rat LD50: 2217 mg/kg

chapters/99-1-chemical-ammonium-perchlorate.md

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+## Ammonium perchlorate
+
+**Formula**
+
+$NH4ClO4$
+
+**Synonyms**
+
+Perchloric acid ammonium salt
+
+**Description**
+
+Ammonium perchlorate is an oxidiser used in a large number of compositions. Very impressive colour compositions can be made with it, but their burn rate is often too low for use in star compositions. For lance work and torches slow burning is an advantage and it is therefore commonly used in these items. Ammonium perchlorate is also used in composite rocket propellants, including the propellants used in the solid propellant boosters used for the space shuttle. The decomposition products of ammonium perchlorate are all gasses that are very beneficial for rocket propellants.
+
+**Sources**
+
+Ammonium perchlorate is usually bought from chemical suppliers or from dedicated pyro suppliers. Fine ammonium perchlorate powder is a regulated substance in most countries and cannot easily be bought or transported. Since it is such a useful chemical in pyrotechnics it can be worth the time and effort to try to prepare it at home. This can be done by first making sodium perchlorate followed by double decomposition with ammonium chloride (other ammonium compounds can be used). The preparation of sodium perchlorate is most easily accomplished by electrolysis. Chemical Destruction of any chlorates present in the sodium perchlorate must be performed BEFORE Ammonium Chloride is added as Ammonium Chlorate is very unstable. Amateur production of Ammonium Perchlorate via electrolysis is dangerous and not recommended.
+
+**Hazards**
+
+Ammonium perchlorate can detonate by itself, although it is not very sensitive. Larger amounts and mixtures of ammonium perchlorate with metal powders or organic substances are more likely to detonate. Harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Toxicity: ORL-RAT LD50 4200 mg kg SCU-RAT LD50 1600 mg kg

chapters/998-suppliers.md

@@ -2,29 +2,31 @@
 
 ## International
 
-* [Lortone ball mills](https://lortone.com/)
+* Ball mills [Lortone.com](https://lortone.com/)
 
 ## United States (US)
 
 * [CannonFuse.com](https://cannonfuse.com/)
-* [Pyroworks US](https://pyroworks.us/)
-* [Skylighter](https://www.skylighter.com/)
+* [Pyroworks.us](https://pyroworks.us/)
+* [Skylighter.com](https://www.skylighter.com/)
 
 ## Europe (EU)
 
 **Spain (ES)**
 
-* [Nitroparis](https://nitroparis.com/)
+* [Nitroparis.com](https://nitroparis.com/)
 
 **Germany (DE)**
 
 * [Pyro-Tools.eu](https://pyro-tools.eu/)
+* [Werth-Metall.de](https://werth-metall.de/), Amazon webshop <https://www.amazon.de/s?me=AJ21X4WMO1BN0&marketplaceID=A1PA6795UKMFR9>
 
 **The Netherlands (NL)**
 
-
+* [Brouwland.com](https://brouwland.com/)
+* [Keramikos.nl](https://keramikos.nl/)
 
 **United Kingdom (UK)**
 
-* [Cooperman435](https://www.cooperman435.co.uk/)
-* [Potterycrafts](https://www.potterycrafts.co.uk/)
+* [Cooperman435.co.uk](https://www.cooperman435.co.uk/)
+* [Potterycrafts.co.uk](https://www.potterycrafts.co.uk/)

chapters/999-references-and-links.md

@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 # References and links
 
-- TODO process links from: <http://www.freepyroinfo.com/pyrotechnic_links.html>
-
 - [PyroData.com](https://pyrodata.com)
 - [PyroGuide wiki (hosted at PyroData.com)](https://pyrodata.com/PyroGuide/default.htm)
 - [Alan's lab Pyrotechnics (vk2zay.net)](http://www.vk2zay.net/category/4)
@@ -35,7 +33,8 @@
 
 ## Clubs
 
-- [UK Pyrotechnics Society](http://www.pyrosociety.org.uk/)
+- [UK Pyrotechnics Society (pyrosociety.org.uk)](http://www.pyrosociety.org.uk/)
+- [International Pyrotechnics Society (intpyrosoc.org)](https://www.intpyrosoc.org/)
 
 ## Forums
 
@@ -45,6 +44,7 @@
 - [Sciencemadness.org Forum](https://www.sciencemadness.org/whisper/)
 - <https://pyroforum.nl/>
 - <http://www.pyrosociety.org.uk/forum/>
+- <https://www.thevespiary.org/>
 
 ## Databases