Thermal properties of the barium nitrate – metallic fuel (aluminum, magnesium and magnalium) systems

Yuriy Verbovytskyy Abstract: This study utilized X-ray diffraction to characterize the phase composition of the product obtained by the oxidation and combustion of aluminum, magnesium, and magnalium powders, as well as their stoichiometric mixtures with barium nitrate. Magnesium is a highly reactive metal, readily burning and oxidizing both as a pure powder and when mixed …
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A Study of a Set of Nitrate-Based Pyrotechnic Strobe Compositions

Richard Harrison Abstract:  The subject of this study is a set of simple pyrotechnic strobe compositions, containing only barium nitrate, a magnesium-aluminum alloy and sulfur, together with a small amount of nitrocellulose to act as a binder. Despite the fact that compositions of this type have been known for well over one hundred years, thare …
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Polysulfide sparklers revisited: a practical introduction to Carbo Hanabi

Frederick Van Der Sypt, M.D Abstract: Polysulfide sparklers in the form of Senko Hanabi have been enjoyed for centuries. Research has shown that potassium nitrate can be replaced with non-oxidizing salts providing equally performing compositions that are non-explosive. This article aims to translate this research into practice and presents a detailed construction method for Carbo …
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Some Factors Affecting the Performance of a Class of Ammonium Perchlorate-Based Pyrotechnic Strobe Compositions

Richard Harrison Abstract: Despite well over a century of research, which has seen the development of many effective pyrotechnic strobe compositions, there is as yet very little understanding of the strobe mechanism. In the past, theoretical models have been developed, but are here shown to be unable to explain many of the observed characteristics. Factors …
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Development and Qualification Testing of Pyro-cartridge for Signal Cartridge Applications

Bhupesh A. Parate Abstract: This research work describes the development and qualification aspects of a pyro-cartridge device for signalling cartridge applications in an emergency, as required by military aircraft. Rapid and effective burning of illuminating composition plays a crucial role in military applications. For initiation of illuminating cartridge, a pyro-cartridge is used. A pyro-cartridge consists …
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A Thermal Study of Mixtures of Micron-sized Copper (II) Oxide, Aluminum and Magnalium

Richard Harrison Abstract: The reaction temperature in ignited samples of thermite compositions containing CuO and varying proportions of aluminum and magnalium was monitored at 1ms intervals by means of small embedded thermocouples. Analysis of the temperature profiles reveals that, in all cases, an exothermic minimum in the region of 950 K provides a significant contribution …
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An investigation into the sensitivity of commonly used electric igniters

Tom Smith, Avril DiPalma, Gabrielle DiPalma and Lincoln Parkhouse Abstract: A variety of commercially available and commonly used electric igniters were tested for sensitivity to shearing, crushing and static stimuli in an attempt to reproduce “real world” usage of igniters and to determine which igniters were more or less sensitive to the various stimuli used.  The apparatus …
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Protocol for the full quantitative analysis of flash compositions

F. Lederle, J. C. Namyslo and E. G. Huebner Abstract. This paper describes a protocol for the full quantitative analysis of a flash composition. The protocol is based on the separation of the components by basic laboratory handling procedures as a first step. Subsequently, modern and routinely available instrumental analytics are used to quantitatively analyse …
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Investigations on aerosol emissions of pyrotechnic smoke generators

Jörg Dengel, Christian Lohrer, Felix Stein, and John Perriam Abstract: Pyrotechnic smoke generators fall under the Directive 2013/29/EU in Europe and could potentially belong to all categories except consumer fireworks. These types are especially present in the field of “Other Pyrotechnic Articles” of the categories P1 and P2, e.g. as simulation devices for paintball or …
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