Dr Takeo Shimizu ABSTRACT: Heretofore we have had four important problems with calculations in this field, i.e., with the interior ballistics when using Black Powder as the propellant: (1) to obtain a suitable form function of the propellant which consists of irregular grains, (2) to obtain solutions when the burning rate ofthe propellant grains is …
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A Concept and the Use of Negative Explosives
Dr Takeo Shimizu ABSTRACT: In general, a pyrotechnic composition consists of an oxygen donor such as KNO3, KClO3, or KClO4, etc., an oxygen donee such as organic resin and some other inert substances. When substances, CaCO3, Al2O3, SiO or CaSO4, etc. are contained in it, they are regarded as an inert substance, because they are …
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Hypothesis on the Cause of Serious Accidents Related to Salutes Charges
Dr Takeo Shimizu Abstract: First, we hypothesize that a serious accident related to the use of salutes may be caused by the simultaneous explosion of several salutes or salute components, resulting in an unexpected, abnormally strong shock wave. To prove our theory, we conducted three experiments. In Experiment 1, we examined the transfer of the …
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Glitter Chemistry
Clive Jennings-White ABSTRACT: Pyrotechnic glitter is characterized by a liquid spark terminating in a delayed flash. The chemical mechanisms responsible for the delay and the flash are not known with certitude. Several pyrotechnists have proposed hypothetical mechanisms to account for the phenomena. The different proposals engender different predictions regarding how a glitter performs as a …
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To get the most from the archive we hope the following hints are useful Enter J23 to see contents and all articles published in JPyro Issue 23 or SH1 to see articles in the Selected Pyrotechnic Publications of Dr Takeo Shimizu, part 1 If you know the page and issue of an article enter, for example, …
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Review of: Incendiary Art: The Representation of Fireworks in Early Modern Europe – Kevin Salatino
Incendiary Art: The Representation of Fireworks in Early Modern Europe Kevin Salatino Review by Jim Malek This is a richly documented paperback book, one of the series called Bibliographies & Dossiers from the Getty Research Institute for the History of Art and the Humanities, documenting an exhibit held at the Institute in 1999. It contains …
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Review of: The Big Bang A History of Explosives – George I. Brown
The Big Bang A History of Explosives George I. Brown Review by Dave Caulkins George Brown’s The Big Bang, subtitled A History of Explosives is a good popular treatment of explosives from the ninth century AD to modern times. The first third of the book is taken up with gunpowder, starting with its obscure origins in …
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An Observation Regarding: “Fireworks Shell Drift due to Shell-to-Bore Clearance”
K. L. Kosanke ABSTRACT: Some empirical evidence is presented in support of a recent suggestion by R. K. Norton that a significant portion of aerial shell drift may simply be the result of shell-to-bore clearance. The support for this stems from the observation that aerial shells, during the very earliest portion of their free flight, …
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Bridgewire Temperature Estimation Using a Constant Current Supply
L. Weinman Introduction: A brief description is presented of a means of measuring the average temperature of a bridgewire during firing using a constant current source. Many functional tests of electroexplosive devices, such as electric matches, utilize a constant current power supply as part of the firing circuit, as this is the only way to comply …
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Speculation on the Explosive Decomposition of “Yellow Powder”
Bob Foreman, Jerry Ittenbach, and Calvin Swartzendruber Introduction: Attending a short-course in pyrotechnic chemistry provided the opportunity for the authors to study a little-understood historic explosive currently viewed primarily as a novelty and chemical curiosity. Part of the course was the preparation of a seminar. The instructors proposed the “yellow powder” seminar topic for the authors. …
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