A. Jeya Rajendrana and T. L. Thanulingam
Abstract: Two types of oxidizers, potassium nitrate (KNO3) and potassium perchlorate (KClO4), were used and the particle size of the oxidizers was varied by using a ball mill. The particle size was determined by a particle size analyser. Pyrotechnic mixtures of compositions using the two different oxidizers potassium nitrate and potassium perchlorate, in different particle sizes, mixed with sulphur (S), aluminium (Al) and boric acid (H3BO3) were used to make sound-producing bullet-bomb firecrackers for analysis. The bulk density of the pyrotechnic mixture was found to vary from 0.372 to 0.622 g cm−3 depending on the variation of composition and particle size of the mixture. Increasing the percentage of oxidizer in the pyrotechnic mixture from 50 to 57% increased the sound level but above 57% of oxidizer decreased the sound level produced from newly formulated bullet-bomb firecrackers. A linear relationship exists between the weight of the mixture taken and the sound level produced. Decreasing the particle size of the oxidizers increased the sound level of the firecrackers.
Keywords: Sound level, pyrotechnic mixture, bullet-bomb, firecrackers, ball mill, particle size analyser.
Ref: JPyro, Issue 30, 2011, pp3-10
(J30_3)
© Journal of Pyrotechnics and CarnDu Ltd
