Determination of the Velocity of Fragments Produced from Exploding Firework Maroon Shells

S. G. Myatt ABSTRACT: This paper describes a method for determining the velocity of fragments produced when firework maroon shells explode. Fragment velocities for shells fired in free air and in steel mortar tubes (causing them to rupture) are reported. velocity of plastic shell casing fragments that was recorded (964 m/s) was substantially higher than …
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Comment on: High-Nitrogen Pyrotechnichnic Compositions, Summer 1998, Issue 7.

Rutger Webb posed the following questions: 1. Did you measure the color (spectra) of the flames? Or was the color quality determined by visual comparison? 2. Why was increased burn rate of most copper salts undesirable? Did it "wash out" the color? 3. Did you try copper(I) chloride (CuCl) as a color agent? It is, …
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Silicone II: A New Fuel and Binder for Fireworks

Ken Burdick ABSTRACT: This paper presents some initial work on the use of silicones including GE Silicone II (GE280 and GE5000) as a fuel and binder in fireworks. Some of the pros and cons of silicones are covered, as well as a partial list of safety concerns. A brief review of silicone chemistry is included …
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Composite Color Stars

Scot Anderson ABSTRACT: Ammonium perchlorate has long been used to produce high-quality color stars and lances. In this article the author uses the basic ingredients of composite rocket propellants to generate colored flame suitable for pyrotechnic display. The use of composite materials has several advantages over classic formulations in that the material is handled in …
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Organic Fuels: Composition and Formation Enthalpy-Part I- Wood Derivatives, Related Carbohydrates, Exudates, and Rosin

Will Meyerriecks ABSTRACT: The utilization of free energy minimization computer programs in areas of combustion research is likely to increase in the future. These programs require the specification of the reactant chemical formulas and their respective formation enthalpies as part of the input data set. Frequently, for common compounds, the values required are readily available …
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A Survey of Concussion Powders

K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: A collection of six commercial concussion powders were test fired in concussion mortars to determine internal mortar pressures, air blast pressures, and the durations of air blast positive phase. The internal mortar pressures for various powder types and load mass ranged from less than 200 psi (1.4 MPa) …
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Techniques for the Quantitative Analysis of Sulphur and Chlorate in Fireworks Compositions

D. Chapman ABSTRACT: This paper examines the analysis of pyrotechnic compositions found in fireworks for the presence of sulfur and chlorate ion (ClO3–). Admixtures of these two components can produce compositions which have high sensitiveness to mechanical stimuli (e.g., friction and impact), may be thermally unstable, and are not normally permitted in fireworks in the …
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Hazard Analysis for the Manufacture of a Non-UN Gas Generant

Kazuo Hara, Mitsuhiro Kanazawa, ABSTRACT: The Yoshida Hazard Analysis (YHA) was applied to the manufacturing of a gas generant composed of Urazole, a metal nitrate (Urazole/MNO3) and other materials. The safety hazards of the materials used in the manufacturing process were identified and evaluated in a hazard catalog, and the risks of each unit operation …
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Model Rocket Engines, Theory and Design

E. J. Clinger and Wesley D. Smith  ABSTRACT: A semi-empirical theory is presented for the design of model rocket motors that use Black Powder for fuel. By choosing the values of a few adjustable parameters, a hobbyist can construct motors that perform satisfactorily without extensive or dangerous trial and error. Formulas are given for calculating the …
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