K. L. and B. J. Kosanke* and Richard C. Dujay ABSTRACT: The morphology (size, shape and surface features) of the constituent particles in a pyrotechnic composition affects its performance. While this is particularly true for high melting point fuels and oxidizers in the composition, to a lesser extent it is also true for those with …
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Month:April 2007
Indoor Pyrotechnic Electrostatic Discharge Hazard
K. L. Kosanke An investigation of an unfortunate accident involving indoor pyrotechnics was completed a little while ago. This article was written in the hope that by suggesting a trivially simple step, similar accidents might be avoided in the future. Ref: Selected Pyrotechnic Publication of K.L. and B.J Kosanke, Part 5, (1998-2000), pp 118-119 (K5_118)
Peak Mortar Pressures When Firing Spherical Aerial Shells
K. L. and B. J. Kosanke The Pyrotechnics Committee of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently revised the Code for Fireworks Displays, NFPA 1123. The revised code included recommendations for wall thickness for fiberglass mortars and for larger sizes of high-density polyethylene mortars. In anticipation of the committee’s discussions of the needed strength of …
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Pyrotechnic Particle Morphologies — Metal Fuels
K. L. and B. J. Kosanke* and Richard C. Dujay ABSTRACT: The morphology (size, shape and surface features) of the constituent particles in a pyrotechnic composition affects its performance. This is particularly true of metal fuel particles in the composition. Particle morphology can also constitute an important part of forensically establishing a match between materials …
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Preliminary Study of the Effect of Ignition Stimulus on Aerial Shell Lift Performance
K. L. and B. J. Kosanke * and M. Williams ABSTRACT: Based on the experience of a small fireworks display company with several low-breaking aerial shells, it was speculated that the cause might be related to having modified the aerial shell ignition system. To evaluate this possibility the effect of various levels of ignition stimuli …
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Mortar Separations in Troughs and Drums
K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: Rarely is there only one mitigation strategy to reduce the level of hazard posed by a problem. This concept is explored in the context of alternate strategies for limiting the potential problem posed by fireworks mortar bursts within troughs and drums. This begins with a discussion of the …
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Sticky Match and Quick Match: Temperature Dependent Burn Times
K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: Sticky Match® is an expedient and reportedly effective type of fuse, especially useful in fusing lance set pieces. However, some users have mentioned an apparent tendency for the fuse to burn noticeably slower at low temperatures. The authors conducted a brief investigation of Sticky Match burn rate as …
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Firing Precision for Choreographed Displays
K. L. and B. J. Kosanke For maximum effectiveness of tightly choreographed fireworks displays, it is important that shell bursts occur very near their intended times. Two main sources of variation combine to affect the overall precision of the shell bursts. First is the preciseness of the shell firings; second is the preciseness of the …
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Peak In-Mortar Aerial Shell Accelerations
K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: Internal mortar pressures were measured for a range of somewhat typical fireworks aerial shell firing conditions. These data were used to determine the peak shell accelerations produced during firing. Under the conditions investigated, peak aerial shell acceleration ranged from approximately 4 to 16 km/s2 (400 to 1600 times …
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CAUTION: Very Fast “Black Match”
K. L. and B. J. Kosanke There is a new style of black match used to make the quick match leader fuse on some Chinese products. The fuse has recently been found on some Flower Basket aerial shells and Lidu display fireworks boxes and may also be used on other items as well. While this …
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