Barry T. Sturman ABSTRACT: Colors observed when solutions of scandium, yttrium and the lanthanide elements were sprayed into an inductively coupled plasma are reported. It is suggested, but without experimental evidence, that the colors seen in the lower temperature regions of the plasma (and in a pre-mixed air-acetylene flame) might also be produced by appropriate …
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Performance Study of Civil War Vintage Black Powder
K. L. & B. J. Kosanke* and F. Ryan ABSTRACT: A sample of Black Powder dating to the time of the US Civil War (ca. 1863) was harvested from cannon balls uncovered during an excavation on what had previously been the grounds of the Allegheny Arsenal near Pittsburgh, PA. A portion of this powder was …
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An Introduction to Chemical Thermodynamics Part 1 – Matter, Energy and the First Law
Barry Sturman ABSTRACT: This is the first in a series of articles presenting an introductory outline of chemical thermodynamics and chemical kinetics, with emphasis on those aspects of particular relevance to pyrotechnics. A brief comment on the molecular theory of matter is followed by a discussion of basic mechanics to introduce the concepts of work …
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The Hazards Posed by Fragments from Rupturing Steel Fireworks Mortar Tubes – Predictions from a Computer Model
M. R. Edwards, S. G. Myatt and S. Ellis ABSTRACT: Fragments with masses of up to 100 g and velocities of up to 510 m/s can be produced from spiral-wound mild steel mortar tubes when firework maroon shells of diameters up to 150 mm are exploded in them. External ballistics calculations indicate that such fragments …
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Organic Fuels: Composition and Formation Enthalpy-Part II – Resins, Charcoal, Pitch, Gilsonite, and Waxes
Will Meyerriecks ABSTRACT: The utilization of free energy minimization computer programs in areas of combustion research is likely to increase in the future. These programs require the specification of the reactant chemical formulas and their respective formation enthalpies as part of the input data set. Frequently, for common compounds, the values required are …
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Peak In-Mortar Aerial Shell
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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Effect of Differing Charcoal Types Upon Handmade Lift Powder
Charles Wilson ABSTRACT: Experimental production of charcoal via the retort method is discussed. Charcoals were made from various substances; of special interest were woods belonging to the Salicaceae (willow) family. Lift powders were made using these charcoals and their performance compared using a device for testing powders under conditions similar to those used for propelling …
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Combustion of Ti/C Pyrolants
Michinori Takizuka, Toshio Onda, Takuo Kuwahara, and Naminosuke Kubota ABSTRACT: The thermochemical characteristics of pyrolants composed of titanium (Ti) and carbon (C) were studied in order to develop high energy release materials used for igniters and fireworks. Since the Ti and C reaction occurs only at temperatures above 1200 K, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was mixed with …
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Measurement of the Effectiveness of Various Mitigation Methods at Reducing the Projectile Hazards from Fragmenting Steel Firework Mortar Tubes
S. G. Myatt and M. R. Edwards ABSTRACT: Firework maroon shells were exploded inside mild steel spiral wound mortar tubes with various mitigation systems in place. It was found that the number of fragments was substantially reduced when the tube was prevented from expanding freely by sandbags or by burial of the tube in sand. …
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High-Nitrogen Fuels for Low-Smoke Pyrotechnics
David E. Chavez, Michael A. Hiskey and Darren L. Naud* ABSTRACT: It has been demonstrated that the highnitrogen compound, 3,6-dihydrazino-s-tetrazine (DHT), can be utilized as a pyrotechnic fuel requiring small amounts of metal salts for coloring the flame. In addition, DHT pyrotechnic formulations using non-metallic oxidants, specifically ammonium perchlorate and ammonium nitrate, produce little smoke …
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