Andrew Tang, Hilary Chen and Andy Tang Abstract: In the fireworks or pyrotechnics industry, black powder (nitrate–sulphur–charcoal) is a traditional and commonly used base for creating other chemical compositions. Due to the large variety of pyrotechnic effects, the creation of such different compositions that meet so many needs has led to many different formulations. The …
Continue reading A New And Fast Method Of Evaluating Powder Energy
Category:Original articles
These articles are now free to download
JPyro – Issue 28, 2009 – Contents
Papers: Fireworks on the Sumida River Metal–Fluorocarbon Pyrolants: IX. Burn rate and Radiometric Performance of Magnesium/Teflon/Viton (MTV) Modified with Zirconium Effects of Variation of Component Content on the Colored Flame of Firework Star Compositions A New And Fast Method Of Evaluating Powder Energy Characteristics of the Red Colored Flame of Firework Compositions Pyrotechnically Relevant Salts …
Continue reading JPyro – Issue 28, 2009 – Contents
Effects of Variation of Component Content on the Colored Flame of Firework Star Compositions
Kazuomi Itoh, Hideo Watanabe, Dayu Ding and Tadao Yoshida Abstract: The spectra of the colored flames of firework compositions were measured with a spectrometer and processed into chromaticity coordinates. The change in color purity as a function of composition is shown using chromaticity diagrams. Firework star compositions of red, yellow, green and blue were tested. …
Continue reading Effects of Variation of Component Content on the Colored Flame of Firework Star Compositions
Burn Rates of Clusters of Colored Sparklers
K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: In recent years it has become generally known that clusters of sparklers burn at substantially greater rates than individual sparklers. However, except for a previous article by the authors, little if any quantitative data has been presented on this subject. As background information, that article contained a brief …
Continue reading Burn Rates of Clusters of Colored Sparklers
Pyrotechnic Ignition and Propagation: A Review
K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: The ideal pyrotechnic is completely stable in storage and handling, yet performs its mission completely, with absolute reliability, upon demand. Many accidents in pyrotechnics are the result of unintentional ignitions during handling and storage. There can also be serious safety ramifications of ignition and propagation failures of pyrotechnic …
Continue reading Pyrotechnic Ignition and Propagation: A Review
Sky Rocket Performance Characteristics
K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: Over the years, we have occasionally had the opportunity to conduct brief studies of fireworks rockets, both sky rockets and smaller bottle rockets. Most recently, an investigation was performed using some Horse Brand sky rockets (Glitterous Lights, Clustering Bees, and Flying Butterflies). This short article is written in …
Continue reading Sky Rocket Performance Characteristics
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 pressure, air blast pressure, and the duration of air blast positive phase. The internal mortar pressures for various powder types and load masses ranged from less than 200 to nearly 100,000 …
Continue reading A Survey of Concussion Powders
New Fast Fuse
K. L. and B. J. Kosanke and R. Webb ABSTRACT: An interesting new fuse is being used on consumer fireworks, reloadable aerial shells. Some of this fuse appears quite similar to normal green Visco (hobby or cannon) fuse but with substantially different burn characteristics. Typical Visco fuse burns at a rate of approximately 0.4 inch …
Continue reading New Fast Fuse
Flash Powder Output Testing: Weak Confinement
K. L. & B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: A variety of flash powders were tested under weak confinement to determine the sound pressure levels and tonal characteristics produced. In these tests it was found that: the sound output from mixtures prepared with potassium perchlorate from four manufacturers are essentially equivalent; there are significant differences in the …
Continue reading Flash Powder Output Testing: Weak Confinement
Simple Measurements of Aerial Shell Performance
K. L. & B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: In designing the most effective choreographed aerial fireworks displays, it is useful to know when, where, and how each shell burst will appear. To do this, in addition to aesthetic features like colors, etc., three aerial shell performance parameters are needed. These parameters are: time to shell burst …
Continue reading Simple Measurements of Aerial Shell Performance