Aluminum fireworks

When aluminized AP composite propellant burns, a high mole fraction of aluminum oxide is produced as a combustion product, which generates visible smoke. If smoke has to be avoided, e. g. for miUtary purposes or a fireworks display, aluminum particles cannot be added as a component of an AP composite propellant In addition, a large amount of white smoke is produced even when non-aluminized AP composite propellants bum. This is because the combustion product HCl acts as a nucleus for moisture in the atmosphere and relatively large-sized water drops are formed as a fog or mist This physical process only occurs when the relative humidity in the atmosphere is above about 60%. If, however, the atmospheric temperature is below 260 K, white smoke is again formed because of the condensation of water vapor with HCl produced as combustion products. If the HCl smoke generated by AP combustion cannot be tolerated, the propellant should be replaced with a double-base propellant or the AP particles should be replaced with another... 

Black powder is the oldest explosive in history, dating back to the eighth century. Its chemical composition is well-known as a mixture of potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal. The mixture ratio is varied according to the purpose for which it is to be used, with the ranges kno3(0-58-0.79), (0.08-0.20), and ( (0.10-0.20). Black powder composed of particles less than 0.1 mm in diameter is used for shell burst of fireworks and fuses. The grade with diameter 0.4—1.2 mm is used for the launch of spherical shells of fireworks, while that with diameter 3-7 mm is used in stone mines. Since black powder is sensitive to sparks caused by mechanical impact, friction, and static electricity, black powder containers should be made of brass or aluminum alloys rather than iron or steel. When Cl and Ca or Mg are present as impurities, CaClj or MgClj is formed and the thermal performance of KN is reduced. Contamination with NaCl also needs to be avoided for the same reason. 

Uses. Structural material in construction, automotive, and aircraft industries in the production of metal alloys in cookware, cans, food packaging, and dental materials pyro powders are used in fireworks and aluminum paint. 

The "newest" oxidizer to appear in pyrotechnics, ammonium perchlorate has found considerable use in modern solid-fuel rocket propellants and in the fireworks industry. The space shuttle alone uses approximately two million pounds of solid fuel per launch the mixture is 70% ammonium perchlorate, 16% aluminum metal, and 14% organic polymer. 

Magnesium metal is the fuel found in most military illuminating compositions, as well as in many fireworks devices. Aluminum and titanium metals, the magnesium /aluminum alloy "magnasium," and antimony sulfide (Sb2S3) are used for white light effects in many... 

Flitter" refers to the large white sparks obtained from the burning of large aluminum flakes. These flakes burn continuously upon ejection from the flame, creating a beautiful white effect, and they are used in a variety of fireworks items. 

Large flakes, called "flitter" aluminum, are widely used by the fireworks industry to produce bright white sparks. A special "pyro" grade of aluminum is also available from some suppliers. This is a dark gray powder consisting of small particle sizes and high surface area and it is extremely reactive. It is used to produce explosive mixtures for fireworks, and combinations of oxidizers with this "pyro" aluminum should only be prepared by skilled personnel, and only made in small batches. Their explosive power can be substantial, and they can be quite sensitive to ignition. 

Several metallic sulfide compounds have been used as fuels in pyrotechnic compositions. Antimony trisulfide, Sb 2S3, is a reasonably low-melting material (m.p. 548°C) with a heat of combustion of approximately 1 kcal/gram. It is easily ignited and can be used to aid in the ignition of more difficult fuels, serving as a "tinder" in the same way that elemental sulfur does. It has been used in the fireworks industry for white fire compositions and has been used in place of sulfur in "flash and sound" mixtures with potassium perchlorate and aluminum. 

Aluminum dust Ceramics, paints, fireworks, electrical goods Fibrosis... 

True blue fireworks are the hardest to make, since the compound copper chloride breaks down in a hot flame. In recent years, fireworks experts have used magnalium—a mixture of the alkaline earth metal magnesium and aluminum—to boost all firework colors. Magnalium has made the blues brighter, but pyrotechnicians are still searching for a blue as brilliant as the red and green and yellow stars that light up a Fourth of July sky. 

Aluminum compounds are used in many diverse and important industrial applications such as alums in water-treatment and alumina in abrasives and furnace linings. They are found in consumer products such as antacids, astringents, buffered aspirin, food additives, and antiperspirants. Powdered aluminum metal is often used in explosives and fireworks. To learn more about the properties and uses of aluminum, see Chapters 3 and 4. 

Aluminum dust Manufacture of aluminum products, fireworks, ceramics, paints, electrical goods, abrasives Fibrosis... 

During the troubles in Northern Ireland only indoor-type fireworks could be purchased without a special license. Analysis of particles originating from the use of indoor-type fireworks showed only a few spherical particles the majority was large irregularly shaped flakes. The elements aluminum, barium, chlorine, chromium, iron, potassium, sulfur, and antimony were detected, all of which were at a major level. 

Analysis of particles originating from the use of outdoor fireworks revealed that the majority of the particles was irregular, many were crystalline, and many large flakes were present. A small proportion of the particles were spherical and physically resembled FDR particles. Elemental analysis showed the presence of aluminum, arsenic, barium, calcium, chlorine, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium, lead, sulfur, antimony, silicon, strontium, titanium, zinc, and zirconium. None of the particles detected would be confused with FDR particles as the primary FDR elements were always accompanied by elements that were clearly of non-FDR source. 

In the field of transition metal catalysis, zeolites may offer opportunities for uniform active sites. With the discovery of both aluminosilicate and aluminophosphate, zeolites with a variety of transition-metal ions in tetrahedral firework positions may offer new possibilities. On the basis of existing zeolite chemistry dealing vrith aluminum hydrolysis and the formation of adsorption adducts in the zeolite pores, chemists may envision strategies aimed at the activation of tetrahedral transition metal ions, either by lattice oxide replacement or by the application of strong donor ligands. The demonstrated... 

Metallic magnesium burns in air with such a brilliant white light that it is used in photographic flash accessories and fireworks. It is very lightweight and is currently used in many alloys for building materials. Like aluminum, it forms an impervious coating of oxide that protects it from further oxidation. Given its inexhaustible supply in the oceans, it is likely that many more structural uses will be found for it as the reserves of iron ores dwindle. 

Chemistry of fireworks Typical fireworks contain an oxidizer, a fuel, a binder, and a color producer. The oxidizer is the main component, making up from 38 to 64 percent of the material. A common oxidizer is potassium perchlorate, KCIO4. The presence of chlorine in the oxidizer adds brightness to the colors by producing light-emitting chloride salts that make each color flame sparkle. When it oxidizes a fuel such as aluminum or sulfur, it produces an exothermic reaction with noise and flashes. Aluminum or magnesium makes the... 

Write the chemical formulas that correspond to the following names (a) aluminum chloride (used in cosmetics), (h) chromium(III) oxide (a pigment for coloring pottery glazes), (c) calcium nitrate (provides a red-orange color in fireworks), and (d) ammonium sulfide (used to make synthetic flavors). 

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