Author:admin

K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: Fireworks star shells occasionally explode upon firing while they are still inside the mortar.  Most often, this occurs with approximately the same level of violence as when the shell explodes after having left the mortar, and often even relatively weak mortars survive the experience intact. While unnerving to …
Continue reading Hypotheses Regarding “Star-Shell-Detonations”

Mary Fran Desrochers, Gary W. Olsen, and M. K. Hudson ABSTRACT: A strain gauge thrust measurement system is described for rocket motor ground testing. The unit uses sigmoid beams to hold the rocket motor in place, with the strain gauges mounted on these beams. The theory and usage of strain gauges is briefly discussed, along …
Continue reading A Ground Test Rocket Thrust Measurement System

E. Contestabile ABSTRACT: There are times when the legal system requires so-called expert witnesses. Whether it is with regard to terrorist or criminal activities or accidents, the expert is often confronted with explaining the dreaded term “detonation”. The attempt to explain such a catastrophic event often brings about the use of similes. In this paper, …
Continue reading Applying Explosives Testing Techniques To Obtain Insight into the Explosion (Or Is It Detonation?). Phenomenon of Piles of Fireworks

L. Weinman ABSTRACT: This brief article examines some aspects of noise and the effects of filters applied to data. Keywords: signals, data acquisition, noise, data filter, digital filter, pyrotechnic, experimental design Ref: JPyro, Issue 14, 2001, pp40-44 (J14_40)

Ian von Maltitz ABSTRACT: Black Powder has been around for centuries and has had a profound influence on the history of the world. Over this time, a considerable amount of knowledge has been gained that not only sheds light on the chemistry of Black Powder but also on other pyrotechnic reactions. This knowledge cannot be …
Continue reading Our Present Knowledge of the Chemistry of Black Powder

P. D. Lightfoot, R. C. Fouchard, A.-M. Turcotte, Q. S. M. Kwok and D. E. G. Jones ABSTRACT: A hazard assessment provides important information for determination of safe conditions for the manufacture, storage and transportation of pyrotechnics. Sensitivity to thermal stimuli is an important aspect of an overall hazard assessment. This paper describes a number …
Continue reading Thermal Techniques Used in the Hazard Evaluation of Pyrotechnics

Roy Merrifield ABSTRACT: Large quantities of a whole range of materials, including fireworks, are moved around the world in steel ISO containers. In recent years in the UK, manufacturers and retailers have used such containers to store fireworks. It has been long recognised that confinement can increase the hazard of energetic materials such as pyrotechnics …
Continue reading Hazards Associated with the Storage of Fireworks

Daniel P. Dolata, Thomas I. Perigrin ABSTRACT: A method based on heat of reaction and heat capacity at constant pressure (ΔHr and CP) was devised for the prediction of flame temperatures for simple “low temperature” pyrotechnic reactions containing either potassium chlorate, potassium perchlorate, potassium nitrate, or ammonium perchlorate (KClO3, KClO4, KNO3, or NH4ClO4) as the …
Continue reading Prediction of Flame Temperatures, Part 1: Low Temperature Reactions