The Pyrotechnic Laboratory

One question that is frequently asked with respect to the study of energetic materials deals with the type of equipment that a researcher or manufacturer should have for research as well as quality control use. 

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Many compos were developed by Dr Hart in the Pyrotechnic Laboratory of Picatinny Arsenal. 

Aspects of safety in the pyrotechnic laboratory and in production have been touched upon previously in connection with specific subjects, and in Chapter 2 a number of pamphlets treating this matter have been cited. It might not be amiss at this point, i.e. under the chapter heading Reactions—Wanted and Unwanted, to add a few general points on safety in the pyrotechnic laboratory with some side glances on production. 

Mix-ups on processing lines may occasionally create a real problem and the formulator might be advised to tint mixtures in a series of increments that look alike but are functionally different. Red iron oxide pigment should be considered for this purpose. And, speaking of identification, the most disastrous mix-up is the one of potassium perchlorate and chlorate in the pyrotechnic laboratory, which at one time caused a serious accident to an associate in the writer s laboratory. By the same token, the acidic and relatively unstable form sulfur, the flowers of sulfur, should be banned from the shelf entirely. Its only place in pyrotechnics would be in items of the field-expedient type. 

Michael Brown s career follows a similar pattern of long service, at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa. He was appointed a Junior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry in 1962 and is at present Professor of Physical Chemistry. He obtained his PhD in 1966 for research done under the supervision of Professor E G. Prout. The coEaboration between Galwey and Brown began in 1971, when Dr Brown spent a sabbatical year at the Queen s University of Belfast, and continues still. Dr Brown has also spent periods of study leave in the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge and the Group Technical Centre of ICI Explosives in Ardeer, Scotland. His research interests include the reactions of pyrotechnic compositions. 

One additional point pertaining to the safety in the laboratory must be mentioned since it is so often disregarded. This is the presence of flammable solvents on shelves above the work area or on the laboratory table. A small flash or explosion can be converted into a raging fire by the proximity of a bottle containing a few ounces of acetone, etc. that is there because it plays a part in the preparation of the pyrotechnic mixture. The same applies to other reactive materials that so often clutter the laboratory area. 

Ballistic Properties of Black Powder , Explosives and Pyrotechnics (The Franklin Institute Research Laboratories) 4, No 1-3 (Jan-Mar 1971)... 

Theoretical Analysis of Resonance Tube , The Singer Company, Final Report KD 72-82 (1972) 58) F.J. Valenta, The State of the Art of Navy Pyrotechnic Delays , Expls Pyrots (The Franklin Institute Research Laboratories) 5, Nos 11 12 (Nov-Dec 1972). See also Ref 144, pp 185—95. See also Some Factors Affecting Burning Rates and Variability of Tungsten and Manganese Delay Compositions , Ref 144, pp 157—83. See also Mil Spec for Tungsten Delay Compositions , MIL-T-23132A (June 1972) 59) C.F. Parrish et al, Radiation... 

Eighth Symposium on Explosives and Pyrotechnics, Los Angeles, Cal, The Franklin Research Institute Laboratory, Philadelphia, Pa (Feb 1974) 155) J.M. Jenkins J.R. White,... 

Ammonium dichromate is used in pyrotechnics in photoengraving and lithography as a source of pure nitrogen in the laboratory and as a catalyst. 

Place a small pile of the mixed composition on the fireproof board, insert a section of safety fuse into the base of the pile, and carefully light the end of the fuse with a match. Step back and observe the effect. Because of the generation of smoke by most pyrotechnic compositions, these tests are best conducted outdoors or in a well-ventilated area such as a laboratory fume hood. 3e certain no flammable materials are near the test area, for sparks may be produced. 

It might be pointed out that large masses of expls (proplnts or pyrotechnic compns) might ignite at temps lower than those detd in laboratories with. small samples and reported in the literature (Ref 24, p 26)... 

Four pyrotechnic delay compositions given in 1961 edition of Ellern (Ref 44a) are listed in Vol 3 of Encycl, p D50. In regard to Exotic" Delay Mixtures, Dr Ellern remarks in the 1968 ed of his book (Ref 57, p 415), that these formulations were actually prepd and tested in his laboratory, but the limited investigation was not further pursued by him or by others. At the time of development of Nb(Cb)-Ta - Ba Chromate mixts, the delay mixts with Cr, Mo W(Tungsten) were classified in US. That is why Dr Ellern develops his own mixts which were not classified, although their components Niobium and Tantalum were rather expensive... 

Of the possible sterilization methods, dry heat seems to be the only practical and certain method. The procedure established in 1964 by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif calls for three successive 36-hour heatings at 145°C. The purpose of this work is to establish which of known explosives and pyrotechnic compns can withstand sterilization without being decomposed... 

A.R. Lusardi, "A Manual of Laboratory Procedures for the Analysis and Testing of Explosives and Pyrotechnics , Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, NJ, Sections 100 200... 

R.J- Buxton T-M- Massis, Compatibility of Explosives with Structural Materials of Interest , Sandia Laboratories", Aug 1970 June 1972 reviewed by G. Cohn, Edit, in Expls Pyrots 6(2), 1973 (Intended as an aid to the design engineer, the reports list 1500 structural material combinations and label them as compatible, incompatible, or marginal. The structural materials include metals, plastics and adhesives, while the expls include primary and secondary expls, propellants and pyrotechnics)... 

University of Paris, Sorbonne (Ingenieur Docteur, 1940). From 1941 he worked in the USA in the field of expls proplnts in private industries and at Picatinny Arsenal where he was the author of a number of technical reports (PATR s) lectures. His most Important publications include A Manual for Explosives Laboratories , Lefax, Philadelphia, Pa, 4 Vo Is (1942—46) in collaboration with G.D. Clift Dictionary of Russian Ammunition and Weapons , PATR 2145(1955) Dictionary of Explosives, Ammunition and Weapons (German Section), PATR 2510(1958) and as. senior author of the 1 Encyclopedia of Explosives and Related Items , PATR 2700, Vols 1-6 (1960—73). Dr Fedoroff is a unique repository of historical facts and is an internationally known expert in explosives, propellants pyrotechnics Ref Oliver E. Sheffield Gunther Cohn (1973)... 

FIRL also sponsors periodically conducted popular courses on Pyrotechnics and Explosives. Prof J.H. McLain, President of Washington College, Chestertown, Maryland and Mr Gunther Cohn, Senior Staff Engineer of the FIRL, Engr of the (APL) Applied Physics Laboratory are the principal lecturers... 

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