Fred Ryan ABSTRACT: The techniques used by the Western Pennsylvania Skylighters to produce music with pyrotechnic whistles are described. Whistle tubes of various diameters and lengths are used to produce individual notes. The tubes, containing small amounts of compressed whistle composition, are fired electrically. Construction details are given for producing very reproducible notes over five …
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Category:JPyro – Articles
The main category – things that are published in the Journal
Comment on:Composite Colored Stars, Issue 8
Review by: Will Meyerriecks Scot Anderson’s article states that “The calcium [impurity that interferes with flame color] may be present as a trace element in the water used during rocessing”. (p 25, “Green” section) That is certainly possible, though I rather doubt it. Another potential source is the addition of “TCP”—tricalcium phosphate—also known as “anti-cake”—to …
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Studies on Low Smoke Photoflash Compositions
R. Hancox, M. Wilson and B. Whiffen ABSTRACT: There have been numerous reports in recent years of problems with the use of certain pyrotechnic photoflash compositions in noise simulators. The most common has been the gassing problem caused by the oxidation, during storage, of the magnesium metal fuel. In addition the quantity of particulate smoke …
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The Rare Earths As Possible Flame Color Agents
Barry T. Sturman ABSTRACT: Colors observed when solutions of scandium, yttrium and the lanthanide elements were sprayed into an inductively coupled plasma are reported. It is suggested, but without experimental evidence, that the colors seen in the lower temperature regions of the plasma (and in a pre-mixed air-acetylene flame) might also be produced by appropriate …
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Performance Study of Civil War Vintage Black Powder
K. L. & B. J. Kosanke* and F. Ryan ABSTRACT: A sample of Black Powder dating to the time of the US Civil War (ca. 1863) was harvested from cannon balls uncovered during an excavation on what had previously been the grounds of the Allegheny Arsenal near Pittsburgh, PA. A portion of this powder was …
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An Introduction to Chemical Thermodynamics Part 1 – Matter, Energy and the First Law
Barry Sturman ABSTRACT: This is the first in a series of articles presenting an introductory outline of chemical thermodynamics and chemical kinetics, with emphasis on those aspects of particular relevance to pyrotechnics. A brief comment on the molecular theory of matter is followed by a discussion of basic mechanics to introduce the concepts of work …
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The Hazards Posed by Fragments from Rupturing Steel Fireworks Mortar Tubes – Predictions from a Computer Model
M. R. Edwards, S. G. Myatt and S. Ellis ABSTRACT: Fragments with masses of up to 100 g and velocities of up to 510 m/s can be produced from spiral-wound mild steel mortar tubes when firework maroon shells of diameters up to 150 mm are exploded in them. External ballistics calculations indicate that such fragments …
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Organic Fuels: Composition and Formation Enthalpy-Part II – Resins, Charcoal, Pitch, Gilsonite, and Waxes
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 …
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Review of: The Chemistry of Explosives by Jacqueline Akhavan
The Chemistry of Explosives by Jacqueline Akhavan Review by Barry Sturman The prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) is the professional organization of Britain’s chemists. It also publishes many books and journals on chemistry and related subjects, including RSC Paperbacks. According to the Society, “RSC Paperbacks are a series of inexpensive texts suitable for teachers …
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Review of: The Chemistry of Explosives by Jacqueline Akhavan
The Chemistry of Explosives Jacqueline Akhavan Review by: K. L. Kosanke This 173-page, paper-bound book was published by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RCS) and authored by Jacqueline Akhavan of Cranfield University, Royal Military College of Science, United Kingdom. The text potentially helps fill a gap in the literature of explosives by providing more information …
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