March 30, 2012

How Is Firework Fuse Made?

Visco fuse is known throughout the world and for a very good reason; it is safe, reliable and easy to use. It is easily recognised, although most visco fuses and its variants are green or red in the colour we have seen it in all colours, pink, blue etc. Being 2-3MM thick with a black powder core, unlike dynamite fuse, it burns with a visible flame and most types will burn underwater.

Visco is made with three external layers, the first is simple string wrapped around the inner black powder core, then a second string core is wrapped around in the opposite direction to prevent unwrapping. The third and final layer is comprised of a low-nitrate nitrocellulose lacquer, which as well as preventing the fuse from falling apart also helps to waterproof the fuse and stops the black powder core from degrading.

There are several variants of visco used for different reasons. Cannon fuse is often thicker to assist with a more controlled burn and extra waterproofing. Flying fish is a modified form of visco mainly used in fireworks, the difference is that the composition of the inner core produces a metallic spark along with or in place of black powder, the benefit of this is that as well as igniting the firework, the fuse adds to the effect of the firework, simply lighting a short piece of flying fish visco on the ground would see it jump into the air and shoot off at random directions emitting noise and sparks. We have in the past seen large shells filled with flying fish visco, and very impressive they were too. Below are some interesting videos about visco fuse :)