Red phosphorus smoke

Red Phosphorus smoke mix production. Evaluation of the Sprout Waldron 35 cubic foot Jet Airmix unit for production of Red Phosphorus (RP) M8E1 Smoke Mixtures was conducted (12). Results indicated the mix was stabile and not easily initiated by heat, but sensitive to friction and snark stimuli. The burning time was slow with dense smoke emission. 

McIntyre, Fred Amend, R.J. and Smith, M. Blending Technology for Red Phosphorus Smoke Ccmoositions. U.S. 

Ballantyne, B., Acute inhalation toxicity of red phosphorus smoke. Toxic Sub. Mech., 17, 251-266, 1998. Ballantyne, B., Peripheral sensory irritation basics and applications, in General and Applied Toxicology,... 

Burton EG, Clarke MI, Miller RA et al. (1982). Generalizations and characteristics of red phosphorus smoke aerosols for inhalation exposure of laboratory animals. Am Indust Hyg Assoc J, 43, 767-772. 

Because of the toxicity associated with the manufacture of white phosphorus and because of its field risks, a gradual shift to red phosphorus (95% phosphorus in a 5% butyl rubber base) was undertaken after World War II. The British smoke grenade (L8-Al-3), which used red phosphorus, produced adequate field concentrations of smoke and functioned as an effective tank screen. Oxidation of red phosphorus produces a variety of phosphorus acids that, on exposure to water vapor, produce polyphosphoric acids. These acids may produce mild toxic injuries to the upper airways that result in a cough and irritation. There are no reported deaths resulting from exposure to red phosphorus smokes. Therapy... 

Henry MC, Barkley JJ, Rowlett CD. 1981. Mammalian toxicologic evaluation of hexachloroethane smoke mixture and red phosphorus. Frederick, MD U.S. Army Medical Bioengineering Research and Development Laboratory. Final Report. ADA 1095 83. 

Red phosphors are formed either by heating white phosphorus or by exposing white phosphorus to sunlight. It is quite different from the explosive white phosphorus. For instance, when scratched on a surface, the heads of safety matches made of red phosphorus convert back to white phosphorus and ignite due to the heat of the shght friction of the match on a rough surface. Red phosphorus is also used in fireworks, smoke bombs, and pesticides and to make phosphoric acid, electroluminescent paints, and fertilizers. 

Combustion of phosphorus White or red phosphorus burns to produce various oxides of phosphorus, which then attract moisture to form dense white smoke. Research and... 

Red phosphorus is mixed as a water slurry with potassium chlorate for use in toy caps and noisemakers. These mixtures are quite sensitive to friction, impact, and heat, and a large amount of such mixtures must never be allowed to dry out in bulk form. Red phosphorus is also used in white smoke mixtures, and several examples can be found in Chapter 8. 

Since the red modification can be handled much more safely than white phosphorus this discovery has been extremely beneficent to workers in the match industry. As early as 1851 von Schrotter prepared matches with it, but they were not easily ignited. H. Hochstatter of Langen, near Frankfort-on-the Main, exhibited successful red phosphorus matches at the London Exhibition of 1872 ( 54). The Hochstatter matches, according to von Schrotter, can be struck even upon cloth, they burn quietly,. . . almost without smoke and smell.. . . What is still more important, the workmen during their production are not... 

When shells are loaded with certain high explosives which produce no smoke (such as amatol), smoke boxes are generally inserted in the charges in order that the artilleryman, by seeing the smoke, may be able to judge the position and success of his fire. These are cylindrical pasteboard boxes containing a mixture of arsenious oxide and red phosphorus, usually with a small amount of stearine or paraffin. 

B. Assman, Incendiary Composition for Incendiary and Smoke Bombs, Hand Grenades, etc, Based on Red Phosphorus and Magnesium Powder , AustrianP 339800 (1977) CA88,107543 (1978)... 

The combustion of white phosphorus felt or red phosphorus butyl rubber will produce smoke. Smoke is an aerosol comprised of oxides of phosphorus (phosphorus pentoxide and phosphorus trioxide), some of their transformation products (see Section 3.2), and a small amount of unburnt phosphorus. The aerosol components in the smoke will undergo dispersion and chemical transformation in air to form acids or phosphorus, and will ultimately deposit from air to the hydrosphere and the lithosphere. The main components of the aerosol deposited over water and soil are acids of phosphorus. Under oxidizing conditions in soil and water, phosphorus acids will be transformed to phosphate or polyphosphates. Under reducing conditions, the disproportionation reaction of phosphorus acid can produce phosphine, and the gas may be released to the atmosphere. The fate of deposited unbumt phosphorus in water and soil has already been discussed in the preceding paragraph. 

Two important sources of elemental phosphorus in soil are the creation of slag piles during the production of white phosphorus, and the disposal of solid wastes containing elemental phosphorus in hazardous waste landfills (Berkowitz et al. 1981 Idler et al. 1981). The field use of WP/F and red phosphorus/butyl rubber smoke/obscurant releases elemental phosphorus into soil primarily as unburnt phosphorus in munitions (Berkowitz et al. 1981 ... 

Berkowitz JB, Young GS, Anderson RC, et al. 1981. Research and development for health and environmental hazard assessment, Task Order 5. Occupational and environmental hazards associated with the formulation and use of white phosphorus-felt and red phosphorus-butyl rubber screening smokes. Cambridge, MA Arthur D. Little, Inc. DAMD17-79-C-9139. AD-A116956. 

Spanggord RJ, Podoll RT, Renwick RT, et al. 1983. Environmental fate of white phosphorus/felt and red phosphorus/butyl rubber military screening smokes Phase I -Literature review. Final Report. SRI International, Menlo Park, CA. Contract No. DAMD17-82-C-2320. AD-A150 754. 

In order to increase the combustion efficiency and the burning rate, formulations containing sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate, an organic binder as well as an aerosol agent (NH4C1) are used in addition to red phosphorus. Typical, simple smoke generating compositions, which are based on red phosphorus and contain approx. 10-75 % P are ... 

Uses As oxidizing agent in primer caps in combination with mercury fulminate and with red phosphorus, antimony sulfide, and other combustible substances,1 P36. In pyrotechnic mixtures as component of airplane flares, stars for aerial bombs and for signaling, maroons, white and colored smokes. As component of Permissibles. In incendiary projectiles, P5. 

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