Fireworks Fusing & Connecting - Black Match
BLACK MATCH
Black match consists of a cotton string impregnated with a solution of black powder, basically quick match without the paper wrapping. Just as safety fuse is used in all Consumer Fireworks, black match is used in all professional (display) fireworks. It can be used just as it is as a slower burning fuse (about 1 inch per second), to bridge the gap betwee the immediacy of quick match and slow burn rate of Safety Fuse.
Advantages: Takes fire very easily. Even a spark from another fuse is enough to ignite black match. Burns at a reasonable speed, and good for connecting devices like fountains and repeaters that are about a foot or so apart. Easy to harvest from quick match.
Disadvantages: Takes fire very easily - can be ignited prematurely by sparks unless well protected. Brittle; black powder can break off the string, which can make the fuse stop working. Not waterproof. Gives off LOTS of side-spit (as shown on the picture), which can very easily set off other fireworks or fuse prematurely. Top
Connecting Black Match To Safety Fuse
This type of connection needs a little atention to detail due to the relative difficulty in igniting safety fuse from a faster fuse.
To expose more of the powder core inside the safety fuse, make sure to cut the safety fuse at an sharp angle. Bend the black match back on itself around an inch and a half, making sure it touches the powder core in the safety fuse. Secure the fuses together with two clove hotches and finally tape it, but not overtightly.
Connecting Black Match to Black Match
Overlap the two fuses by at least an inch and a half, and secure at both ends using thin twine tied with a clove hitch. Then loosely tape the two together - allowing the ignition room to "breathe".
If you overtigten the tape, or tape over the ends of the fuse the connection may fail to ignite as black match doesn't burn well when suffocated.
Connecting Black Match to Quick Match
Insert the black match around 1-2 inches into the quick match paper pipe then scrunch the paper around the fuses and secure with clove hitches.
NB: BLACK MATCH IS EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE AND FAST BURNING. Make sure that there are no naked flames or sparks any where near when securing these connections. To prevent premature ignition of pyrotechnics, always make the connection to the Firework as the final stage of preparation. Top
The Fireworks Company Thailand accepts no responsibility whatsoever for any injuries or accidents that occur as a result of attempting any of the displays or projects mentioned in this site, or as a result of use or misuse of any pyrotechnic products purchased from us. We highly recommend the use of professional display service for anything other than consumer 1.4G Fireworks with shells 1.75" or less in diameter.