S. P. Sivapirakasam, M. Surianarayanan, P. Nagaraj,1 G. S. Venkataratnam
ABSTRACT: Impact sensitiveness of pyrotechnic flash compositions consisting of mixtures of potassium nitrate (KNO3), sulphur (S) and aluminium (Al) is experimentally analyzed using equipment similar to BAM (fall hammer) equipment. Results indicate that an increase in the sulphur content of the mixture raises its sensitivity to impact. The limiting impact energy (LIE) falls in the range of 5 to 8 J for the compositions studied, which may be categorized as class III explosives. The results obtained, using the statistical tool “Mixture Design”, are helpful in correlating the characteristics of each component in the mixture with the overall impact sensitiveness. The model predictions and experimental results are found to match well within ± 0.5% error. Cost analysis and sound measurements are made for all compositions, and the results are compared with impact sensitivity to arrive at ratios of ideal compositions.
Keywords: flash composition, fireworks, impact sensitiveness, mixture design, pyrotechnics, potassium nitrate, sulphur, aluminum
Ref: JPyro, Issue 21, 2005, pp51-58
(J21_51)
© Journal of Pyrotechnics and CarnDu Ltd
