K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: In 1997, Obron Atlantic changed their Ger-man dark aluminum. (Their former product number was 5413; the new product was designated 5413 H Super.) We had published the results of a series of sound output tests of various salute powders, which included the effect of using various aluminums, including …
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Category:Books – Kosanke Articles
Selected Pyrotechnic Publications of KL and BJ Kosanke
Sky Rocket Performance Characteristics
K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: Over the years, we have occasionally had the opportunity to conduct brief studies of fireworks rockets, both sky rockets and smaller bottle rockets. Most recently, an investigation was performed using some Horse Brand sky rockets (Glitterous Lights, Clustering Bees, and Flying Butterflies). This short article is written in …
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A Survey of Concussion Powders
K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: A collection of six commercial concussion powders were test fired in concussion mortars to determine internal mortar pressure, air blast pressure, and the duration of air blast positive phase. The internal mortar pressures for various powder types and load masses ranged from less than 200 to nearly 100,000 …
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ATF’s Classification of Flash Powders
K. L. Kosanke ABSTRACT: This brief article is based on my comments to the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) concerning their classification of all flash powders as high explosives. In this query, I chose not raise the issues of flash powder storage requirements, quantity limits in process buildings, or any of the …
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Burn Rates of Clusters of Gold Sparklers
K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: In recent years, it has become generally known that clusters of sparklers burn substantially faster than individual sparklers. However, little if any quantitative data has been presented in the literature. Toward that end, this brief article presents some data collected a few years ago by the authors. Ref: …
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New Fast Fuse
K. L. and B. J. Kosanke and R. Webb ABSTRACT: An interesting new fuse is being used on consumer fireworks, reloadable aerial shells. Some of this fuse appears quite similar to normal green Visco (hobby or cannon) fuse but with substantially different burn characteristics. Typical Visco fuse burns at a rate of approximately 0.4 inch …
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Flash Powder Output Testing: Weak Confinement
K. L. & B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: A variety of flash powders were tested under weak confinement to determine the sound pressure levels and tonal characteristics produced. In these tests it was found that: the sound output from mixtures prepared with potassium perchlorate from four manufacturers are essentially equivalent; there are significant differences in the …
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Simple Measurements of Aerial Shell Performance
K. L. & B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: In designing the most effective choreographed aerial fireworks displays, it is useful to know when, where, and how each shell burst will appear. To do this, in addition to aesthetic features like colors, etc., three aerial shell performance parameters are needed. These parameters are: time to shell burst …
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An Instrument for the Evaluation of Black Powder as a Propellant for Aerial Shells
K. L. & B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: None of the standard laboratory tests for Black Powder provide a direct indication of its performance characteristics for propelling aerial fireworks shells. Typically such testing must be performed by firing dummy projectiles on a test range—with all the problems that can entail, including the use of fairly large …
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Theory of Colored Flame Production
B. E. Douda Abstract: The theories and attributes associated with the production of colored flames are presented. Particular attention is given to flames containing strontium (red), barium (green), sodium (yellow) and copper (green or blue). Thermal excitation of vaporized neutral atoms, molecules and ions is correlated with the emission of atomic, band and ionic spectra. …
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