J. E. Fletcher ABSTRACT: The self-heating models of Frank-Kamenetskii and Thomas have been applied to predict self-ignition temperatures for sulfur-chlorate mixtures in spherical and cylindrical geometries of varying size. The models were validated by comparison to experimental cardboard tube test data previously reported. It was found that the Frank-Kamenetskii model, combined with kinetic data from …
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Category:JPyro – Articles
The main category – things that are published in the Journal
A Curious Observation during the Burning of Bulk Whistle Composition
L. Weinman, C. Dayton, and K. Lemon Abstract: As is common in pyrotechnic manufacturing operations, occasionally excess or sub-standard compositions need to be destroyed. This is usually, but not always, done by burning the composition. Recently, in the course of burning several pounds of excess potassium perchlorate-potassium benzoate whistle mix, a curious noise was produced. …
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Feasibility Study on the Use of Nanoscale Thermites for Lead-Free Electric Matches
Darren L. Naud, Michael A. Hiskey, Steven F. Son, James R. Busse, and Ken Kosanke ABSTRACT: Electric matches are used in the pyrotechnic industry to electrically initiate devices remotely and with precise timing. Unfortunately, most current commercial electric matches contain lead compounds, which when burned produce lead reaction products that may cause environmental pollution and contamination …
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Control Systems for the Storage of Explosives, Including Fireworks
M. J. Bagley ABSTRACT: This paper gives an account of the use of a questionnaire to obtain up-to-date information on control systems for the storage of fireworks and other types of explosives. The study showed that control systems for the storage of explosives based on quantity-distance schemes are used in many countries. In most of …
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Some Properties of Explosion Generated Toroids
Fred Ryan and Joe Daugherty ABSTRACT: The mechanism of sound production from explosion-created toroids is discussed, as well as progress in rendering them more visible. The toroids, or “smoke rings”, are easily formed by exploding a small charge at the bottom of a cylindrical barrel that is open at the top. The stability, self propulsion, …
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Reasons for Fuse Failure and Drift Distance of Spherical Fireworks Shells
Marc Speer ABSTRACT: This work investigates the reasons for the ignition-failure of spherical (round) shells. It further statistically assesses the probability that the resulting blind (dud) shells will fall within a certain range from the launch point. Keywords: fuse failure, shell drift, Magnus effect, interior ballistics, exterior ballistics, shell ballistics, blind shell, dud shell Ref: JPyro, …
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A Study of the Combustion Behaviour of Pyrotechnic Whistle Devices (Acoustic and Chemical Factors)
M. Podlesak and M. A. Wilson ABSTRACT: Pyrotechnic whistles have long been used in both civilian and military applications. It is known that, under certain conditions, these compositions burn in an oscillatory manner and have exhibited a tendency occasionally to explode with great power during combustion. Based on the results of experimental work and a …
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Assessing the Risks — Suggestions for a Consistent Semi-Quantified Approach
Tom Smith ABSTRACT: Assessing the risks of an operation, the operation of a whole factory, or the consequences of firing a firework display has become a way of life. Much modern legislation, certainly in the UK, is based less on “prescription” and more on “goal setting”, which requires the risk creator to determine the nature …
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Color Purity Measurements of Traditional Pyrotechnic Star Formulas
Brian V. Ingram ABSTRACT: Pyrotechnic formulas designed to produce colored flames are well known, but the trends in color quality due to individual formula components are less well understood. This paper presents spectrometer work done to record spectra and processes them into chromaticity coordinates. Major formulas of the basic additive colors of red, green, and …
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Thermal Characterization of Smoke Composition
Z. Abdel-Qader, Q. S. M. Kwok, R. C. Fouchard, P. D. Lightfoot and D. E. G. Jones ABSTRACT: The present work includes the thermal characterization of a smoke composition, the smoke components, as well as a potassium chlorate–lactose mixture using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), simultaneous thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis-Fourier transform infrared spectrometry- mass spectrometry …
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