Concerning Pyrotechnics

In addition to the people thanked in the German and first English edition, the author would like to thank Dr. Jesse Sabatini and Dr. Karl Oyler (ARDEC, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ) for many inspired discussions concerning pyrotechnics. 

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... 

Concerned mainly with the security of explosives and restncted substances. Applicable to the acquisition, keeping, handling and control of explosives, e.g. blasting explosives, detonators, fuses, ammunitions, propellants, pyrotechnics and fireworks. 

Yet another important feature of inorganic oxidisers such as potassium nitrate rests with the nature of the atoms forming the chemical bonds. Many pyrotechnic compositions rely on chlorates, perchlorates or nitrates as high-energy oxidisers whilst high explosives commonly are based on nitrated organic substances. The reason for this lies with the electronegativity of the atoms concerned. 

There are three areas of concern regarding safety for anyone studying, researching or making pyrotechnics. 

Concerning removal of explosives from various points where they are stored, wish to state that it is DC s opinion that these explosives were purchased by, and are the property of the Research Division, and therefore cannot properly be turned back to the General Stores of the Ordnance Department. Confirmation of this can be obtained from the Pyrotechnical Division. The question of the removal of these explosives from the depots from where they are stored is a matter strictly for the Research Division to settle. 

The first book that concerned the state of the art of contemporary military pyrotechnics and became known in the United States came out in 1954 in the Russian language. It was preceded by a first.edition (1943) of which only a few copies seem to have reached this country. The 1954 edition of this book by A. A. Shidlovsky, a professor at the University of Moscow, was translated into English in 1964 and this version is available through U. S. Government channels. A third edition, of which I received an autographed copy from the author soon after its publication in 1964, has also been translated into English as a government report. ... 

A quite different hazard from spontaneous ignition that is of great concern where finely powdered combustible substances are produced or handled is the destructively explosive combustion of dusts. It concerns the pyrotechnics manufacturer because of his handling of finely powdered metals of great susceptibility to accidental ignition. 

The pyrotechnist s relation to the pyrochemically active materials in a formula depends on the specific purpose For the production to prescribed specifications of a standardized item, he is mainly concerned with obtaining the materials promptly From commercial sources and in the verification of compliance of the ddivered materials with the specifications, In a developmental effort the emphasis is on the experimental study of different grades of known and proven materials in varying proportions. Final y, in research as well as in development of new types of devices, he may also consider substances formerly not regarded as useful for pyrotechnics. 

The physical integrity of a pyrotechnic formulation may, exceptionally, be threatened by evaporation. This can occur when a rather volatile compound is a necessary component because of unique properties that make it difficult or impossible to replace it with a more stable ingredient. Two such compounds have been described earlier One is metaldehyde of a sublimation point of about 112 C and found only in novelty items such as repeatedly ignitible matches, hence of little concern in commercial practice the other is the HC smoke ingredient hexachloroethane. Its vapor pressure, as eviden d by the odor at room temperature, is sufficient to cause concern. In practice, however, with tightly compressed and sealed mixtures in substantial units, the volatility of HC seems to cause no trouble. 

Strontium nitrate is found under MIL-S-20322A and barium nitrate in MIL-B-162C. Of little concern to the pyrotechnic]an is ammonium nitrate, MILrA-175A. 

Dr. Robert W. Evans, Comments Concerning the Production of Light by Visual Flares, Speech at American Ordnance Association, Military Pyrotechnics Section Meeting, November 1965, Monterey, Calif. 

Two compoimds that are currently generating much concern are azide and perchlorate, salts of which are cm-rently used in the explosives and pyrotechnics industry, with perchlorate also used as a primary oxidant in solid rocket fuel. IC can be used for the monitoring of both analytes in natural and treated waters. For perchlorate, EPA Method 314.0 (Determination of perchlorate in drinking water by ion chromatography) has been developed, which suggests the use of a Dionex lonPac AS16 anion exchange column (or equivalent) with a 35 mM NaOH eluent and suppressed conductivity detection. 

The big environmental and health concerns led to the avoidance of many substances that have been used in the past in pyrotechnic mixtures. These include beryllium, cadmium, mercury, chromates, lead compounds, and many others. 

Anhydrous and monohydrated perchloric acid are explosive, but the usual aqueous solutions are stable in the absence of organic compounds. It is very corrosive to skin and eyes. Upon contact with concentrated perchloric acid, organic materials such as cloth and wood ignite. Salts of perchloric acid are also powerful oxidizers that can be explosive. Perchlorate salts tend to be more stable than their chlorate counterparts, which has led to their increased use in pyrotechnic compositions due to safety concerns. 

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