How Do Smoke Flares Work?

Smoke flares are used in many fields – from airsoft and paintball to, for example, testing the tightness of ventilation systems.

Smoke flares are especially popular among football fans. Thanks to these pyrotechnic materials, any stadium display becomes more spectacular, and players can truly feel the support of the “twelfth man” in the stands. These flares generate thick, colorful smoke. This type of pyrotechnic product is used in many fields – airsoft games, paintball, and even in industries related to testing the tightness of ventilation systems. More recently, smoke candles are also becoming increasingly popular among newlyweds – they create an eye-catching ambiance for events and are a fantastic addition to wedding photo sessions.

Read on to find out how smoke flares work.

Smoke Flares – Characteristics of Pyrotechnic Materials

Smoke flares, also called smoke candles, are pyrotechnic materials ignited by:

• pulling a pin,

• lighting a fuse, or

• striking the ignition surface.

Once ignition occurs, thick smoke (or less dense, depending on the flare) begins to emerge from the flare's body.

Depending on the chosen type of smoke candle, the burn time and smoke density may vary.

The structure of a smoke flare is very simple. The product takes the form of a 7 to 20 cm tube or canister, and inside it is a pyrotechnic composition that ignites when a sufficient temperature is reached.

How Smoke Flares Work

Pulling the pin at one end causes friction and quick movement of a sensitive compound along the internal walls of the smoke flare’s casing, coated with a striking surface. This generates enough heat to ignite the composition inside.

Flare types with a fuse or strike ignition work slightly differently. So how do these smoke flares work? In the case of a fuse, you simply light one end. The flame then reaches the internal composition, triggering the reaction. With strike-ignited flares, they light up without a flame – just like classic matches – by rubbing the ignition tip against a specially coated surface.

After approximately 3 seconds, thick, colorful smoke starts emerging from the end – its color depends on the chemical mixtures used during production. These are usually compounds such as nitrates, chlorates, and salts containing metal and non-metal atoms. The casing of a smoke flare is typically made of moisture-resistant metal or cardboard. For safety and to reduce the risk of burns, flares designed to be handheld are equipped with heat-resistant handles.

How Do Smoke Flares Work? Summary

The way smoke flares work is not overly complicated. It’s a very simple mechanism where a cause leads to an effect. Pulling one end or striking the ignition surface triggers the ignition reaction, which lasts from 60 seconds up to even 6 minutes – depending on the chosen product. After that time, the flare stops functioning.

Today, smoke candles are used across many fields and industries. They are common during wedding photo shoots, outdoor games, and paintball. But that's not all. These types of pyrotechnics are also used in maritime navigation, rescue operations for signaling accident sites, and even in gardening – for repelling moles.

Want to create an unforgettable stadium display or capture an important moment with a unique visual background? Try our smoke flares and candles, available at the Fajerwerki Lider online store. Click on the product name to view full specifications.