Sebastian Hoerold and Andrew Ratcliff ABSTRACT: Red phosphorus has become an essential ingredient in the production of modern smoke and obscurant devices. Nearly all multispectral developmental projects are being based on the new versions of red phosphorus available from Clariant. In pyrotechnics and munitions, phosphine liberated by the traditional red phosphorusbased smoke compounds may diffuse …
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Pyrotechnic Reaction Residue Particle Identification by SEM / EDS
K. L. & B. J. Kosanke and Richard C. Dujay ABSTRACT: Today the most reliable method for detecting gunshot residue is through the combined use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) of the resulting X-rays. In recent years, this same methodology has found increasing use in detecting and characterizing pyrotechnic reaction …
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Pressure, Plume Flicker, and Acoustic Data Correlation in Labscale Hybrid Rockets
Mary Fran. Desrochers, Gary W. Olsen, Chris Luchini, and M. Keith Hudson ABSTRACT: The development of the hybrid rocket motor has been plagued by combustion instabilities. These are usually monitored as fluctuations in chamber pressure and are on the order of tens of Hz in frequency. Previous work using our labscale hybrid system has also …
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Fireworks Shell Drift due to Shell-to-Bore Clearance
Randall K. Norton ABSTRACT: For fireworks aerial shells, decreasing shellto- bore clearance and increasing mortar length appear to have the effect of increasing the predictability of fireworks aerial shell trajectories, and thus dud aerial shell impact points. Some geometrical considerations are given to the influence of mortar length and shell-to-bore clearance on apparent aerial shell …
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An Observation Regarding: “Fireworks Shell Drift due to Shell-to-Bore Clearance”
K. L. Kosanke ABSTRACT: Some empirical evidence is presented in support of a recent suggestion by R. K. Norton that a significant portion of aerial shell drift may simply be the result of shell-to-bore clearance. The support for this stems from the observation that aerial shells, during the very earliest portion of their free flight, …
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Pyrotechnic Delays and Thermal Sources
M. A. Wilson and R. J. Hancox ABSTRACT: The technology associated with pyrotechnic delays, together with the many factors, both physical and chemical, that affect the performance of delay compositions and influence the design of delay elements have been outlined. The production of heat by thermite and thermate systems is similarly discussed. Keywords: pyrotechnics, gassy …
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Bridgewire Temperature Estimation Using a Constant Current Supply
L. Weinman Introduction: A brief description is presented of a means of measuring the average temperature of a bridgewire during firing using a constant current source. Many functional tests of electroexplosive devices, such as electric matches, utilize a constant current power supply as part of the firing circuit, as this is the only way to comply …
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Evaluation of Lithium Compounds as Color Agents for Pyrotechnic Flames
Ernst-Christian Koch ABSTRACT: The obstacles to producing red colored pyrotechnic flames with lithium compounds are discussed. The principle emitter of red light in such flames is atomic lithium. Hydrogen and halogens in the flame gases are expected to have a substantial effect on the concentration of atomic lithium. The development of effective Libased red color …
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Hypotheses Regarding “Star-Shell-Detonations”
K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: Fireworks star shells occasionally explode upon firing while they are still inside the mortar. Most often, this occurs with approximately the same level of violence as when the shell explodes after having left the mortar, and often even relatively weak mortars survive the experience intact. While unnerving to …
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A Ground Test Rocket Thrust Measurement System
Mary Fran Desrochers, Gary W. Olsen, and M. K. Hudson ABSTRACT: A strain gauge thrust measurement system is described for rocket motor ground testing. The unit uses sigmoid beams to hold the rocket motor in place, with the strain gauges mounted on these beams. The theory and usage of strain gauges is briefly discussed, along …
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