Pyrotechnics additive

FUSEE An article resembling a safety match but which has additional pyrotechnic composition that glows after ignition and is essentially wind-proof and weather-proof. Used for lighting fuses. 

Uses Additive pyrotechnics cone, nitric acid nutrient magnesium source for horticulture... 

Uses Additive pyrotechnics cone, nitric acid nutrient magnesium source for horticulture Manuf./Distrib. Allan http //www.allanchem.com, Cel anese http //www. celanesechemicals. com, http //www.chemvip.com, Charkit http //www.charkit.com, EM Ind. http //www. emindustries. com, Lohman n http //www.lohmann-chemikalien.de Mallinckrodt Baker http //www.maiibaker.com, http //www.maiichem.com, Ruger http //www.rugerchemicai.com, Wm. Blythe Ltd http //WWW. wm-blythe. co. uk... 

Paint additive, pyrotechnics, explosives, metal alloys Disinfectant, deodorant, wood preservative Refrigerant, manufacture of nitric acid, explosives Batteries, electroplating, textiles Inorganic metal analysis None listed... 

R. Barefoot, "Compatibihty of Nitrate and Nitrate Esters," ia Conference on Compatibility of Propellants, Explosives, and Pyrotechnics with Plastics and Additives, Report NC-02P, AD PA, Washiagtoa, D.C., 1976, p. l-E-22. 

Uses. Phosphoms(V) sulfide is used in the manufacture of lubricating oil additives, insecticides, ore flotation agents, and specialty chemicals. Phosphoms sesquisulfide, P4S2, has been used extensively in the manufacture of stnkeanywhere matches (qv). In addition, small quantities are used in fireworks (see Pyrotechnics). 

Pyrotechnic mixtures may also contain additional components that are added to modify the bum rate, enhance the pyrotechnic effect, or serve as a binder to maintain the homogeneity of the blended mixture and provide mechanical strength when the composition is pressed or consoHdated into a tube or other container. These additional components may also function as oxidizers or fuels in the composition, and it can be anticipated that the heat output, bum rate, and ignition sensitivity may all be affected by the addition of another component to a pyrotechnic composition. An example of an additional component is the use of a catalyst, such as iron oxide, to enhance the decomposition rate of ammonium perchlorate. Diatomaceous earth or coarse sawdust may be used to slow up the bum rate of a composition, or magnesium carbonate (an acid neutralizer) may be added to help stabilize mixtures that contain an acid-sensitive component such as potassium chlorate. Binders include such materials as dextrin (partially hydrolyzed starch), various gums, and assorted polymers such as poly(vinyl alcohol), epoxies, and polyesters. Polybutadiene mbber binders are widely used as fuels and binders in the soHd propellant industry. The production of colored flames is enhanced by the presence of chlorine atoms in the pyrotechnic flame, so chlorine donors such as poly(vinyl chloride) or chlorinated mbber are often added to color-producing compositions, where they also serve as fuels. 

The process of designing a pyrotechnic mixture begins with the selection of oxidizer and fuel, and proceeds to incorporate additional components to achieve the exact pyrotechnic effect and bum rate desired in the end item. It is at this point that pyrotechnics takes on the dual nature of an art and science, and experience is often the only thing that can be reHed upon for the solution of a difficult problem. 

Another matter of concern in pyrotechnic formulations is the possibiHty of exchange reactions occurring between components. Addition of ammonium salts to compositions containing nitrate oxidizers can produce ammonium nitrate, a very hygroscopic material. The composition then becomes quite prone to pick up water and its performance deteriorates. The addition of an ammonium salt to a chlorate-based formulation can lead to the... 

Theatrical Pyrotechnics or Special Effects. Many spectacular visual and audible effects are produced for stage presentations of both music and drama, and many motion pictures and television shows incorporate pyrotechnic and explosive special effects to Hven up the presentation. These spectacular effects are a combination of pyrotechnics, explosives, combustion, and electronics. After the effects are filmed or videotaped, they are often enhanced by slow-motion replay and by the addition of more exciting noise. A real explosion is over in milliseconds, and hence there is a need for electronic enhancement to create a more spectacular effect on the screen. 

Sodium nitrate is also used in formulations of heat-transfer salts for he at-treatment baths for alloys and metals, mbber vulcanization, and petrochemical industries. A mixture of sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate is used to capture solar energy (qv) to transform it into electrical energy. The potential of sodium nitrate in the field of solar salts depends on the commercial development of this process. Other uses of sodium nitrate include water (qv) treatment, ice melting, adhesives (qv), cleaning compounds, pyrotechnics, curing bacons and meats (see Food additives), organics nitration, certain types of pharmaceutical production, refining of some alloys, recovery of lead, and production of uranium. 

Mixtures of potassium nitrate with antimony trisulfide [1], barium sulfide, calcium sulfide, germanium monosulfide or titanium disulfide all explode on heating [2]. The mixture with arsenic disulfide is detonable, and addition of sulfur gives a pyrotechnic composition [2], Mixtures with molybdenum disulfide are also detonable [3], Interaction with sulfides in molten mixtures is violent [4],... 

Used industrially for manufacture of pyrotechnics, safety matches, lubricating oil additive, pesticides, and in organic synthesis. 

Chestertown, Maryland 21620, an industry association, provides assistance to manufacturers that reauirerrpre information. Annual Sumner Symposia in Pyrotechnic Chemistry are also offered by Washington Col lege, Chestertown, Maryland 21620. The International Pyrotechnics Seminar on Explosives and Pyrotechnics is offered on a biennial basis. Additional information on these seminars may he obtained from I IT Research Institute, Chicago, Illinois 60616. 

Workers in industrial facilities manufacturing or using hexachloroethane as an intermediate in the manufacture of other products may be exposed to the chemical by inhalation or dermal absorption. In addition, military or civilian personnel working with smoke or pyrotechnic devices may be exposed. Based on information collected for the National Occupational Exposure Survey, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that 8,515 workers were potentially exposed to hexachloroethane (NOES 1991). 

In North America the problem of moisture absorption has been addressed by developing a moisture resistant gunpowder substitute based on potassium nitrate but augmented with potassium perchlorate. The latter is said to absorb less moisture than the nitrate at a given humidity. In addition, the gunpowder substitute contains a hydrophobic binder, called ethyl cellulose, (2.22) (celluloses have a history of use in pyrotechnics) together with an organic fuel, known as phenolphthalein, (2.23) which is said to enhance the bum rate. 

COMPOSITION (Explosive) An intimate mixture of fuels, oxidisers and additives of such particle size that, when pressed, it is capable of producing pyrotechnic effects. 

Of all the improvised explosives the author has made, HMTD probably has the simplest preparation. It requires three basic ingredients hexamethylene tetramine (hexamine), citric acid, and hydrogen peroxide. Hexamine is a common fuel used in the pyrotechnic industry and can be purchased from numerous chemical supply houses. It is also the principle ingredient used by many camping stoves and can be purchased in tablet form for this purpose. Citric acid is a common flavorant additive and can be purchased from many drugstores. Aqueous hydrogen peroxide availability was discussed earlier. 

The most important application of boron is to make fibers or whiskers of single crystal or ceramic crystal. The addition of boron to metals, alloys, or other solids, imparts resistance to plastic flow, and thereby produces unusual strength in the material. Amorphous boron is used in rockets as an igniter, and in pyrotechnic flares to give green color. Many boron compounds, such as borax, boron hydrides, and boron hahdes, have important commercial applications (see individual compounds). 

Calcium nitrate is used in explosives, matches and pyrotechnics. Other applications are in the manufacture of incandescent mantle and as an additive to diesel fuel for corrosion inhibition. 

In addition to ionic solids, covalent molecules containing halogen atoms (primarily F and Cl) can function as "oxidizers" in pyrotechnic compositions, especially with active metal fuels. Examples of this are the use of hexachloroethane (C with zinc... 

The use of chlorate or perchlorate oxidizers (KCIO 3> KC10 , etc.) is one way to introduce chlorine atoms into the pyrotechnic flame. Another method is to incorporate a chlorine-rich organic compound into the mixture. Table 7.8 lists some of the chlorine donors commonly used in pyrotechnic mixtures. A dramatic increase in color quality can be achieved by the addition of a small percentage of one of these materials into a mixture. Shimizu recommends the addition of 2-3% organic chlorine donor into compositions that don t contain a metallic fuel, and the addition of 10-15% chlorine donor into the high temperature mixtures containing metallic fuels [11]. 

In addition, copies of the various Proceedings of the International pyrotechnics Symposia are available for purchase from the host organization, IIT Research Institute. 

In addition to an oxidizer, pyrotechnic mixtures will also contain a good fuel - or electron donor - that reacts with the liberated oxygen to produce an oxidized product plus heat. This heat will enable the high-energy chemist to produce any of a variety of possible effects - color, motion, light, smoke, or noise. 

A purple flame, a relative newcomer to pyrotechnics, can be achieved by the correct balance of red and blue emitters. The additive blending of these two colors produces a perception of purple by an observer. Several comprehensive review articles on purple flames have recently been published [131. 

---