Effects of Variation of Component Content on the Colored Flame of Firework Star Compositions

Kazuomi Itoh, Hideo Watanabe, Dayu Ding and Tadao Yoshida Abstract: The spectra of the colored flames of firework compositions were measured with a spectrometer and processed into chromaticity coordinates. The change in color purity as a function of composition is shown using chromaticity diagrams. Firework star compositions of red, yellow, green and blue were tested. …
Continue reading Effects of Variation of Component Content on the Colored Flame of Firework Star Compositions

Burn Rates of Clusters of Colored Sparklers

K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: In recent years it has become generally known that clusters of sparklers burn at substantially greater rates than individual sparklers. However, except for a previous article by the authors, little if any quantitative data has been presented on this subject. As background information, that article contained a brief …
Continue reading Burn Rates of Clusters of Colored Sparklers

Pyrotechnic Ignition and Propagation: A Review

K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: The ideal pyrotechnic is completely stable in storage and handling, yet performs its mission completely, with absolute reliability, upon demand. Many accidents in pyrotechnics are the result of unintentional ignitions during handling and storage. There can also be serious safety ramifications of ignition and propagation failures of pyrotechnic …
Continue reading Pyrotechnic Ignition and Propagation: A Review

Performance Comparison between Old and New Obron German Dark Aluminum

K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: In 1997, Obron Atlantic changed their Ger-man dark aluminum. (Their former product number was 5413; the new product was designated 5413 H Super.) We had published the results of a series of sound output tests of various salute powders, which included the effect of using various aluminums, including …
Continue reading Performance Comparison between Old and New Obron German Dark Aluminum

Sky Rocket Performance Characteristics

K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: Over the years, we have occasionally had the opportunity to conduct brief studies of fireworks rockets, both sky rockets and smaller bottle rockets. Most recently, an investigation was performed using some Horse Brand sky rockets (Glitterous Lights, Clustering Bees, and Flying Butterflies). This short article is written in …
Continue reading Sky Rocket Performance Characteristics

A Survey of Concussion Powders

K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: A collection of six commercial concussion powders were test fired in concussion mortars to determine internal mortar pressure, air blast pressure, and the duration of air blast positive phase. The internal mortar pressures for various powder types and load masses ranged from less than 200 to nearly 100,000 …
Continue reading A Survey of Concussion Powders

ATF’s Classification of Flash Powders

K. L. Kosanke ABSTRACT:  This brief article is based on my comments to the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) concerning their classification of all flash powders as high explosives. In this query, I chose not raise the issues of flash powder storage requirements, quantity limits in process buildings, or any of the …
Continue reading ATF’s Classification of Flash Powders

Burn Rates of Clusters of Gold Sparklers

K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: In recent years, it has become generally known that clusters of sparklers burn substantially faster than individual sparklers. However, little if any quantitative data has been presented in the literature. Toward that end, this brief article presents some data collected a few years ago by the authors. Ref: …
Continue reading Burn Rates of Clusters of Gold Sparklers