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The Science of Aerial Shells
Type of Shells:
There are typically two types of aerial shells that are constructed today.
The older of the two types is the Oriental Style Ball Shell. The newer type
of shell is the American style cylindrical shell. These two types of shells
still consist of the same basic components. Both types of shells contain
stars that are packed into the shell this is what produce the brilliant
colors that you see. Each shell contains a lift charge that is used for the
propulsion of the shell into the air. The last common part between the two
type of shells is the time fuse leading to the bursting charge that breaks
the shell open. The Oriental Style Shells are easier to produce, and don't
contain the same amount of stars and bursting powder than the American Style
shell of the same diameter. The last thing that differentiates these two
types of shells is the way in which they break, you typically get a rounder
style break with the Oriental Style than with the American, which breaks in
a bowtie.
Size of the Shells:
Each of the shells can come in different sizes from as small as 1.75"
through 36". In most shows you can usually find shells that range from 3" to
12". In the larger sized shows used for big events you can sometimes see
shells that range from 16" on up also. This is due to the fact that the
price per shell is greater for a 24" shell than a 3" and for most shows the
cost per shell is out of their budget. Another factor that limits the size
of the shell used in a show is the safe zone that is needed for the
different sizes. Typically an aerial shell travels 100 feet vertically for
every inch that the shell is in diameter. Also the typical aerial shell
bursts 45ft. for ever inch the shell is in diameter, so a 2 inch shell would
break 90ft. and a 8 inch shell would break 360ft.