There are numerous physical forms of aluminum used in the manufacture of fireworks. Powders can be produced in hammer mills, ball mills forming types of flake, or by atomization, which forms spherical particles, Large flake aluminum is known as Flitter, while the smaller flakes are known as Fine bright or Bright, these both are a bright silver in appearance and feel greasy to the touch.

These flames are formed by stamping with a lubricant, and producing small flat plates of foil-like particles, of irregular shape with a larger surface area.

Another variety of flake is called Dark Pyro, which is very fine (mesh size 200), this is a dull dark grey in appearance, possibility due to up to 2% of carbon it often contains.

In Germany the term Bronze and Flitter are used as is the term schliff for flake and pyroschliff for very fine flakes, brand names include Black head, Blue Head and Gloria.