Ignition pyrotechnics

The mixture of the lead salts of eosin and red lead formerly used as a pigment, proved to be a very easily ignited pyrotechnic mix. 

Squibs are cotton yams or other fibres impregnated with black powder and which bum with an external flame to ignite pyrotechnics, although the term may apply to small pyrotechnic or explosive devices. Safety squibs are those squibs which do not bum with an external flame. Electric squibs are essentially synonymous with the matchheads (bridgewire-low explosive combinations) used in electric detonators as well as a type of jet thmst igniter. 

An accidentally ignited pyrotechnic illumination flare on board USS Oriskany (Figure 19.13) caused a catastrophic fire that subsequently killed 44 men and injuring 156. Two helicopters and four aircraft were severely damaged [33]. 

In a 2H2 + O2 + 2N2 system, the explosive combustion ignition caused by a powerful igniter (pyrotechnical charge) in a water-mechanical foam contained in a... 

Amorphous boron is used in pyrotechnic flares to provide a distinctive green color, and in rockets as an igniter. 

Strontium is softer than calcium and decomposes in water more vigorously. It does not absorb nitrogen below 380oC. It should be kept under kerosene to prevent oxidation. Freshly cut strontium has a silvery appearance, but rapidly turns a yellowish color with the formation of the oxide. The finely divided metal ignites spontaneously in air. Volatile strontium salts impart a beautiful crimson color to flames, and these salts are used in pyrotechnics and in the production of flares. Natural strontium is a mixture of four stable isotopes. 

Pyrotechnic compositions produce only a mild ignition on impact. 

The word match is of uncertain origin. In common parlance, a match is a short, slender, elongated piece of wood or cardboard, suitably impregnated and tipped to permit, through pyrochemical action between dry soHds with a binder, the creation of a small transient flame. The word match also is used for fuse lines which after ignition on one end serve as fire-transfer agents in fireworks and for explosives (qv). Such items belong in the field of 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. 

C. Campbell, Pre-Ignition and Ignition Reactions of the Pyrotechnic System Zn-C6Clfi- KC104 in 5th Symp Combstn (1955) 227... 

Historically, military pyrotechnics had rheir origin as incendiaries. The Bible refers to the use of firebrands (Judges 15 4, 5) and to the action of water on naphtha and burnt lime (II Maccabees 20—36) (I Kings 18 31—38). Such self-igniting systems were known as automatic fire (Ref 130, p 5) and culminated in Greek Fire (Vo 7j HI 17). Crucial to the further develop-... 

Ref 130, p 220) and by Great Britain (Vol 3, C498-R). These rockets utilized BlkPdr as proplnt, fuse (Ref 122) and as an expl. Up to the middle of the last century the history of pyrotechnics is the history of BlkPdr. Even now, as will be discussed in Section 7, large quantities of BlkPdr are used as an igniter. By the late 18 th century a new age in pyrotechnics commenced thru the synthesis of K chlorate (Vol 2, C190-R), the discovery of Fulminates (Vol 6, F216-R) and the identification of the minerals which would impart color to a flame. The discovery of electricity brought about pure chemicals and hence, better flame colors, new oxi-... 

Photo flash powders are loose mixts of powdered oxidizers such as Ba nitrate and K perchlorates with metallic fuels, principally Mg, A1 and Zr. These ingredients have such small particle sizes that they bum with expl violence for durations of less than 0.1 sec. At present photoflash powders are used exclusively in military aerial photography, whereas civilian applications are served by electrically ignited Zr or Hf wire containing flashbulbs. Since 1970. non-electric, pyrotechnically functioned, flash cubes have appeared on the market (USPs 3535063,3540813 3674411)... 

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