Lead Metal Shot

Lead Metal Shot
chemical element: Pb
( shot - 2mm balls )
Lead shot is often used as a radiation shielding material that can be poured in-between small shielding walls and seams. Lead shot is easily melted and can be cast into what ever form is required. An 8 ounce jar contains about
2600 Lead balls, 2mm in diameter.
In pyrotechnics, this size Lead Shot is ideal for making round 'Stars', the burning pellets of
chemicals thrown out by firework devices.
Round Stars are made by rolling a quantity
of Lead shot in a large pan, then slowly adding
the Star composition, followed by spraying with
water (see our "Making Round Stars" procedure).

Lead Sheet

Lead Sheet
RadMax^® Radiation Shielding
chemical element: Pb
( sheet )
RadMax^® high performance, high purity & super dense Lead sheet - specifically manufactured for use as radiation shielding. Easily soldered and cuts with a scissors. Use for lining boxes for storing radioactive materials, etc.
See our Radiation Protection Page to purchase

Iron Filings

Iron Filings
chemical element: Fe
( powder )
Ultra high purity Iron Filings, approximately 40 mesh.
Although these can also be used to demonstrate magnetic fields when sprinkled on a sheet of stiff paper, their exceptionally high purity allows them to be used for a wide variety of chemical reactions and formulations where high purity Iron metal is required.

Hydrochloric Acid

Hydrochloric Acid
chemical formula: HCL
( liquid )
High purity ACS/Electronic grade Hydrochloric acid. Used in a wide variety of chemical processes and industrial applications. Standard 36.5 to 38.0 %.
Over the counter store sales only,
we cannot ship this item.

Gallium Metal

Gallium Metal
chemical element: Ga
( chunks )
Small, ultra pure quantities of the element Gallium (atomic number 31), ideal for element collectors of those conducting experiments/producing alloys with pure Gallium metal. Gallium metal has an astonishingly low melting temperature of 85.6 °F, it will actually melt in your hand! It also expands by over 3% when solidifying, so it should not be stored in glass or metal containers as they will break when the metal solidifies. Gallium also corrodes most other metals by diffusing into their metal lattice. It is very important to keep Gallium away from any type of metal containers such as Steel or Aluminum.
Gallium readily alloys with most metals.

Gadolinium Metal

Gadolinium Metal
chemical element: Gd
( granular )
Ultra pure quantities of the element Gadolinium (atomic number 64), ideal for element collectors of those conducting experiments/producing alloys with pure Gadolinium metal. It has the highest thermal neutron capture cross-section of any known element. Gadolinium becomes superconductive below a critical temperature of 1.083 K. It is strongly magnetic at room temperature, and exhibits ferromagnetic properties below room temperature. Gadolinium metal is used as an emergency shut-down measure in some types of nuclear reactors.

Erbium Metal

Erbium Metal
chemical element: Er
( granular/chips )
Ultra pure quantities of the element Erbium (atomic number 68), ideal for element collectors of those conducting experiments/producing alloys with pure Erbium metal. Erbium is a silvery- white metallic rare-earth metal. It is used in nuclear technology as a neutron absorber and as a dopant in fiber-optic laser amplifiers. Erbium compounds are rose-colored, and the element has characteristic sharp absorption spectra bands in visible light, ultraviolet, and near IR.

Drierite®

Drierite^®
chemical formula: CaSO₄
( granular )
Drierite® is an all purpose drying agent for the efficient and rapid drying of air, gases, refrigerants,
liquids and solids. It is composed of naturally occurring Calcium Sulfate, impregnated with Cobalt Chloride. Drierite® is blue when dry and changes to pink upon absorption of moisture.
Drierite® can be regenerated simply by heating in
an oven where it will return to its normal blue color.

Deuterium Oxide

Deuterium Oxide
( Heavy Water )
chemical formula: D₂O
( liquid )
This is 'Ultrex' grade (99.999% pure) Deuterium Oxide. About 10% heavier than ordinary water, Deuterium Oxide (Heavy Water) is used mainly to moderate Neutrons in nuclear reactors. Slower evaporating than ordinary water. An ice cube made of Deuterium Oxide sinks in water. Easily make pure Deuterium gas for Fusor experiments, etc.
( see additional pricing, info & images here ).

DMSO

DMSO
chemical formula: (CH₃)₂SO
( liquid )
DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide) is a polar aprotic solvent with the distinctive property of penetrating the skin very readily. If it makes contact with your skin, you will immediately have a Garlic or Oyster-like taste in your mouth. DMSO is frequently used as solvent for chemical reactions, but also exhibits some unusual medicinal properties. For more information DMSO' s medicinal uses,
see this informative link.
Our DMSO is very high purity (>99%).
It is sold to be used as a solvent only.

Corn Cobb

Corn Cobb
chemical formula: N/A
( coarse granules )
Specially dried & sorted Corn Cob for pyrotechnic uses. Corn Cob is typically coated with a Black Powder mixture and used to fill, and burst Aerial Star Shells, throwing the colorful burning Stars in all directions. Other materials, such as Rice Hulls are also used for this purpose, but Corn Cob
consistently produces superior results.
Large, 1 gallon in volume (over 3.5 pounds) of dried Corn Cob. In our opinion, the best material to us in your Aerial Star Shells. Simply wet & coat with Black Powder ( instructions can be found he

Copper Nitrate

Copper Nitrate
(Cupric Nitrate)
chemical formula: Cu(NO₃)₂
( powder )
A fairly powerful oxidizer and also often used as a catalyst in a wide variety of formulations. Dissolved in water, it's commonly used for electroplating Copper metal onto other objects. Also used as an activating agent in many phosphorescent formulations. Along with Silver, it is what is used to 'activate' Zinc Sulfide to make it illuminate on exposure to Alpha radiation.

Copper Metal Strips

Copper Metal Strips
chemical element: Cu
( thick strips )
Very high purity, heavy Copper metal strips.
Copper is a chemical element; atomic number 29.
Ideal for use as an electrode in homemade batteries ( simply stick a Zinc strip and Copper strip in a fresh Lemon and you've got a battery ). Perfect for other science experiments / classroom demonstrations where pure Copper metal is required.
Strips measure about 5" long, 3/4" wide,
and a little over 1/16" thick.

Cobalt Oxide

Cobalt Oxide
chemical formula: CoO
( fine powder )
High purity Cobalt Oxide. An unusual (and quite expensive) material. Cobalt Oxide becomes super-conductive when cooled to low temperatures. Some of our customers claim it produces interesting color effects when used with Lithium Carbonate in pyrotechnic compositions. It's also is used in
ceramic glaze mixtures, where it produces
a dramatic deep blue color.

Coal

Coal
chemical formula: C
( large chunks )
Pure, natural high grade Anthracite Coal, over 95% pure Carbon. Great samples for experimentation and analysis of Coal burning byproducts (Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxides, etc). Used in some ancient chemical formulations. Easily ground into a fine powder. The perfect stocking stuffer for those bad little children around Christmas time.
( total weight of the large chunks, approx. 1/2 Lb. ).

Charcoal (ACTIVATED)

Charcoal (ACTIVATED)
( Activated Carbon )
chemical formula: C
( coarse granular )
A unique material that vigorously absorbs chemical impurities. Activated Charcoal is a form of Carbon that has an exceptionally high surface area. It is claimed that a single gram of this material has an effective surface area of well over 2,000 square meters. The micropores in Activated Charcoal provide superb conditions for adsorption to occur; the adsorbing material can interact with many surfaces simultaneously. Another important use is to treat poisonings and overdoses by oral ingestion. It prevents absorption of the poison by the stomach. By far, the most common use is in Filters to purify liquids, compressed air and gas purification to remove oil vapor, odor, etc.

Cesium

Cesium
chemical element: Cs
( solid )
Ultra pure quantities of the element Cesium (sometimes spelled Caesium) atomic number 55. ideal for element collectors of those conducting experiments/producing alloys with pure Cesium metal. Cesium is one of the most reactive metals known to man - it will ignite upon exposure to air or water. For protection, our Cesium samples are sealed in glass ampoules under Argon gas.
As its melting temperature is only 83ºF, it will become liquid on warm days.
Pure Cesium metal has been used as a propellant in ion spacecraft engines and in vacuum tubes.
Ampoules contain 1 gram of pure Cesium metal.
Note: Ampoule style/shape/size may vary depending on current availability, but will always contain 1 gram of the element.
Caution: Use safety precautions (wear eye protection and gloves) when working with Cesium metal. Violently/explosively reacts with water and may ignite on contact with air. Causes severe burns on contact with body tissue. See MSDS link below.

Calcium Nitrate

Calcium Nitrate
chemical formula: Ca(NO3)2 4H2O
( granular )
Calcium Nitrate is a oxidizer, also known as 'Norwegian Saltpeter'. It is used in some pyrotechnic formulations and also as a fertilizer. When used as a color additive in fireworks, Calcium compounds color flames orange. Keep in a tightly closed container, it has a bad habit of absorbing moisture from the air.

Calcium Carbide

Calcium Carbide
chemical formula: CaC2
( small chunks )
Calcium Carbide is generally used to produce Acetylene gas. When it comes in contact with water, it will react violently, producing bubbles of highly flammable Acetylene gas and steam.
Old miner's lamps used Calcium Carbide and a slow water drip to generate Acetylene gas, which was ignited to produce light. Carbide Cannons were old toys that used Calcium Carbide (which they sometimes call "Bangsite") and a little water to make their loud reports. A fun material to experiment with.

Caffeine

Caffeine
chemical formula: C8H10N4O2
( powder )
Caffeine is an alkaloid that's found in numerous plant species where it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects. In Humans, Caffeine is a central nervous system and metabolic stimulant in small milligram quantities, however, ingestion of only slightly larger amounts can be fatal. This material is for experimental purposes only and not to be added to food or drink products.
Caution: Caffeine is toxic. Use normal safety precautions (wear a filter mask/respirator and gloves) when working with Caffeine. Accidental inhalation of fine particles can be dangerous.

Calcium Metal

Calcium Metal
chemical element: Ca
( small chips )
Ultra-high purity Calcium Metal chips.
Calcium is a chemical element; atomic number 20.
Calcium metal reacts with water evolving Hydrogen gas and producing an alkaline Calcium Hydroxide solution. When ignited in air, Calcium metal burns with a bright white light, forming Calcium Nitride.
In vacuum systems, small amounts of Calcium metal serves as a 'getter' for residual gasses. Calcium forms a thin white oxide layer on its surface that protects the metal from additional oxidation.

Cab-O-Sil

Cab-O-Sil
chemical formula: SiO2
( fluffy powder )
An anti-cake agent that makes powders stop clumping & flow evenly. In pyrotechnics, it is used in
Flash Powder mixtures to increase the burn rate (typically 1 gram to every 100 grams of Flash Powder). This makes the Flash Powder "fluffy" allowing for much faster flame propagation.
This material has virtually no weight to it, so it's sold by volume in a 4 ounce container.

Borated Paraffin

Borated Paraffin
chemical formula: N/A
( blocks )
Whoa! Slow down them Neutrons!
For those conducting experiments with Neutron capture, Borated Paraffin is a must. Slows Neutrons down into the thermal range so they can be captured by other elements. Use as-is, or easily melt and cast into the desired shape. Blocks measure about 2.5" x 3.5" and are 1.5" thick. See this link for a typical Neutron capture/activation experiment.

Antimony Metal

Antimony Metal
chemical formula: element: Sb
( powder )
Very High purity (99.99%) Antimony metal (atomic number 51) in powder form. Antimony has a melting point of 1167°F and has the unusual property of expanding when cooling. 'Hardened Lead' is made by adding small amounts of Antimony metal to molten Lead. Antimony metal powder is also used in some specialized pyrotechnic formulations to produce unusual effects. Under the proper conditions, it burns quite brilliantly when heated producing Antimony Trioxide.

Ammonium Perchlorate

Ammonium Perchlorate
chemical formula: NH₄ClO₄
( powder )
The most frequently used oxidizer in most modern composite Rocket Propellant formulations. The Space Shuttle's solid rocket boosters use a mixture of Ammonium Perchlorate and a form of Rubber as their rocket fuel. Ammonium Perchlorate is also used in most indoor, or "low smoke" pyrotechnic mixtures.
It is substantially more sensitive to ignition from friction or impact (when mixed with other chemicals) than Potassium Perchlorate is.

Ammonium Nitrate

Ammonium Nitrate
chemical formula: NH₄NO₃
( powder )
Ammonium Nitrate is an oxidizer that's used in some less common composite rocket propellant formulas. Some of its properties can be demonstrated in our "Water Starts a Fire" or "Instant Cold" experiments
found on our Chemistry Experiments Page.
Keep in a tightly closed container, it has a bad habit of absorbing moisture from the air
and getting hard and chunky.

Ammonium Dichromate

Ammonium Dichromate
chemical formula: (NH₄)2Cr₂O₇
( granular )
Ammonium Dichromate is a powerful oxidizer, best known for its use in the classic 'Volcano' chemistry demonstration. When burned, it looks like a volcano and produces green chromium oxide ash.
Caution: Ammonium Dichromate is both toxic & corrosive. Use normal safety precautions (wear a filter mask/respirator and gloves) when working with Ammonium Dichromate. Accidental inhalation of fine particles can be dangerous.

Ammonium Chloride

Ammonium Chloride
chemical formula: NH₄Cl
( powder )
Ammonium Chloride is a water soluble compound
used in manufacturing ammonium perchlorate. It is also common soldering flux used for joining metals together. In pyrotechnics, it's used in some older white smoke formulas, and in our chemistry experiment: "Water Starts a Fire" found on our
Chemistry Experiments Page.

Aluminum ( Granular )

Aluminum ( Granular )
chemical element: Al
( granular )
A granular Aluminum powder (approximately 80 to 100 mesh). Aluminum is a chemical element; atomic number 13. Excellent high-purity Aluminum powder for all laboratory uses and pyrotechnic applications. In pyrotechnics, it is used to produce bright white, long lasting sparks. Also used in some high power, composite rocket fuel formulations, fountains, and waterfall firework formulations. This is the proper grade of Aluminum for making Thermite mixtures.

Aerogel

Aerogel
chemical formula: N/A (proprietary)
( granular )
Developed by NASA, Aerogel is the lightest and lowest-density solid known to exist. It also holds the World records for being the best insulator and lowest density solid. Aerogel is composed of amorphous Silicon Dioxide, and 99.8% Air.
Aerogel negates just about any kind of energy transfer - thermal, electrical or acoustic. Aerogel's density is just 3 milligrams per cubic centimeter (it weighs only three times that of air). Its melting point is 2,200 degrees F (1,200 degrees C). Click Here for a close-up of the particle size. Due to its light weight, it is sold by volume and not weight ( the quantity of Aerogel shown in the image above is 100cc ).
See our Aerogel page for larger samples of Aerogel and additional information on this amazing material.