Understanding What Fireworks Are Made Of - Our Guide

With summer fast approaching, we are starting to expect intense heatwaves, trips to the beach, and lots and lots of air conditioning to stay cool. There is no doubt that some will be partying in their backyards with summer barbecues and parties, and people will definitely want fireworks to cap off the night with a bang. 

However, you may be wondering what the implications of the upcoming heatwave and fireworks are. We know that fireworks are ignited using a heat source and that is what allows them to explode in all its fiery and colourful goodness. So does that mean you cannot leave your fireworks inside your car on a scorching hot day? 

We have come up with this article to discuss some common questions about hot summers and buying fireworks, so read on to discover more:

Understanding What Fireworks Are Made Of

When it comes down to the explosion, these products are made of a charge that shoots them into the air, and an effects portion that creates a unique effect in each explosion. The charge comes from a section made of predominantly gunpowder that is made of three-quarters of potassium nitrate, 15% of charcoal, and 10% sulphur. 

Modern fireworks use other chemicals and sometimes sans the sulphur and adding a larger amount of potassium nitrate instead. The effects in the fireworks are made of a fine explosive powder that is combined with chemicals to achieve the desired effect and colours. 

How Do They Explode?

Fireworks need heat in large quantities that run through a charge or fuse. This fuse needs to be lit by a fire source to make the chemical compounds react as they come into contact with the fire. In basic science terms, this is an action-and-reaction motion that comes into play with Newton’s third law of motion, which propels the firework into the air. Combustion then continues to release the other components, which creates explosive effects in the air. 

Additionally, the compounds found inside these products require a large amount of heat energy to ignite, at up to 200 degrees Celsius. This means that you will need to consciously light the fuse using a flame to start a reaction. 

So, Can Fireworks Explode In A Hot Car?

Knowing that fireworks need a heat source that is lit through a fuse at 200 degrees Celsius, unless your car catches fire, this is practically impossible. You will need to ignite the product using a spark to start the explosion process, so it won’t explode when left inside a car on a hot summer day. 

Instances of this occurring in the past are usually caused by illegally obtained fireworks that have not passed safety or quality inspections or vandals who lit them up on purpose. However, this does not mean you should be storing flammable items in your car just because it is deemed “safe.”

Number one is that insurance companies won’t cover any damages caused by lugging large amounts of explosives in your car in any case something goes wrong. Additionally, fireworks require proper storage conditions in an area that is cool and dry, so try not to leave them in your car and bring them into your garage or house as soon as you get home. 

Conclusion

Fireworks won’t blow up in your car on a hot summer day, as modern fireworks were built safer than their counterparts years ago. That is if they were purchased from an authorized seller and not that person you met at the corner store dealing with illicit explosive goods. Make sure you are safe from any harm by purchasing fireworks properly, as explosives are not a toy and should not be cheaped out on. 

Lets Party Fireworks has been the UK’s premier dealers of fireworks for over a decade. For fireworks for sale online, make your next move with us because we guarantee you original and high-quality products only for a safe celebration.