What Are Sparklers Made of?

Sparklers can burn at up to 3000 degrees Fahrenheit. Most accidents occur from young children handling the sparkler inappropriately. Sparklers burn slower than other fireworks and are actually categorized not as fireworks but as pyrotechnics. They can burn in different colors depending on the types of metal fuel added. The size of the metal fuel particles determine how big the sparks are that emanate from the sparkler.

Charcoal

Sparklers may utilize charcoal as the fuel that keeps the flame going because it burns slower than black powder.

Sulfur

Sulfur, often used as an ignitor, gives the sparkler a bad smell when it burns.

Aluminum

Aluminum gives the sparkler its silvery sparks. For gold colored sparks, iron is used.

Potassium Nitrate

Potassium nitrate is used as an oxidizer in sparklers, which helps the charcoal burn.

Sugar

Sugar is sometimes used as a binding agent. Starch can also be utilized for the same purpose.

Water

All the ingredients of sparklers are mixed with water and dried on a metal wire.