Strontium Nitrate [Sr(NO3)2]
This material is rarely used as the only oxidizer in a composition, but is commonly combined with potassium perchlorate in red flame mixtures. It is a white crystalline solid with a melting point of approximately 570°C. It is somewhat hygroscopic, so moisture should be avoided when using this material.
Near its melting point, strontium nitrate decomposes according to
Strontium nitrite - Sr(N0 2 ) 2 - is formed as an intermediate in this decomposition reaction, and a substantial quantity of the nitrite can be found in the ash of low flame temperature mixtures. At higher reaction temperatures, the decomposition is
This is a strongly endothermic reaction, with a heat of reaction of +92 kcal, and corresponds to an active oxygen content of 37.7%. Little ash is produced by this high-temperature process, which occurs in mixtures containing magnesium or other "hot" fuels