M. Podlesak and M. A. Wilson ABSTRACT: Pyrotechnic whistles have long been used in both civilian and military applications. It is known that, under certain conditions, these compositions burn in an oscillatory manner and have exhibited a tendency occasionally to explode with great power during combustion. Based on the results of experimental work and a …
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Assessing the Risks — Suggestions for a Consistent Semi-Quantified Approach
Tom Smith ABSTRACT: Assessing the risks of an operation, the operation of a whole factory, or the consequences of firing a firework display has become a way of life. Much modern legislation, certainly in the UK, is based less on “prescription” and more on “goal setting”, which requires the risk creator to determine the nature …
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Color Purity Measurements of Traditional Pyrotechnic Star Formulas
Brian V. Ingram ABSTRACT: Pyrotechnic formulas designed to produce colored flames are well known, but the trends in color quality due to individual formula components are less well understood. This paper presents spectrometer work done to record spectra and processes them into chromaticity coordinates. Major formulas of the basic additive colors of red, green, and …
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Thermal Characterization of Smoke Composition
Z. Abdel-Qader, Q. S. M. Kwok, R. C. Fouchard, P. D. Lightfoot and D. E. G. Jones ABSTRACT: The present work includes the thermal characterization of a smoke composition, the smoke components, as well as a potassium chlorate–lactose mixture using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), simultaneous thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis-Fourier transform infrared spectrometry- mass spectrometry …
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Color Values and Spectra of the Principal Emitters in Colored Flames
W. Meyerriecks and K. L. Kosanke ABSTRACT: The emission spectra of many of the more important emitters in pyrotechnic flames were collected. For this purpose solutions and suspensions of sodium, potassium, calcium, strontium, barium and copper salts were aspirated into a propane gas flame as the excitation source. Performing instrument corrections and using appropriate data …
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A Brief Description of the Construction and Function of Common Electric Matches
Lawrence Weinman and K. L. Kosanke ABSTRACT: A simple description of the construction and the physical principles governing the function of common electric matches and some implications of these principles for testing and firing them are presented. Keywords: electric match, heat resistance, current, volt, pyrogen Ref: JPyro, Issue 19, 2004, pp66-71 (J19_66)
Bandwidth in Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) Testing
James Stuart ABSTRACT: Electro explosive devices (EEDs) are often required to undergo a test in which they are placed near a high-power radio transmitter. The purpose is to see whether electromagnetic energy might fire the EED. Consideration of the “Q” or quality factor of an EED system affords guidance in choosing a transmitter and test …
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Illuminants and Illuminant Research
David R. Dillehay ABSTRACT: The use of pyrotechnic compositions for the production of light has a long history. Most improvements were made mainly by trial and error with many misunderstandings about the cause and effect relationships from observations. Significant advancements in the mechanisms and theory of combustion have increased the understanding of many effects and …
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A Report on the Fireworks Accident at Carmel, Western Australia
R. I. Grose and K. L. Kosanke ABSTRACT: The investigation into an accident at Carmel, Western Australia in March 2002 found that the magnitude of explosions occurring in licensed and unlicensed storage areas was significantly greater than would have been expected from the UN hazard classification of items stored within them. Use of revised UN …
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Guanidinium Azo-Tetrazolate (GAT) as a High Performance Hybrid Rocket Fuel Additive
M. Keith Hudson, Ann M. Wright, Chris Luchini, Paul C. Wynne, and Sterling Rooke ABSTRACT: The purpose of this investigation was to find a high regression rate fuel suitable for use as a mixture with hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB). Guanidinium azo-tetrazolate (GAT) is the compound that was the focus of our research. GAT is a salt …
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