Pyrotechnics

Abstract

PYROTECHNICSPyrotechnics is the field of technology that combines science and art to chemically generate heat, and from that heat create light, color, audible effects, and gas pressure for entertainment, emergency signaling, and military applications. The civilian side of pyrotechnics includes fireworks, highway flares (fusees), air bag inflators, and special effects devices for the entertainment industry. Military and aerospace pyrotechnics include a wide range of devices for illumination, signaling, obscuration, and gas generation. These devices are characterized by rugged construction and greater resistance to adverse environmental conditions with associated higher cost, reliability, and safety than most civilian pyrotechnic devices. In some ways, unlike the related technologies of explosives and propellants, pyrotechnics remains a practical discipline with an incomplete theoretical foundation, and the rigorous application of the various scientific disciplines is taking place gradually (see Explosives).

Burn Rate of Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate–Aluminum Thermites

“…Flakes have a larger surface area and are more sensitive to ignition. However, batch-to-batch reproducibility is more consistent with spherical atomized forms . Nanothermites are made of particles smaller than 100 nm in size.…”

“…Pyrotechnic compositions are mixtures of one or more fuels together with at least one oxidizer that burn relatively slowly to produce heat, light, color, gas or smoke effects. 1 Unlike conventional combustion, pyrotechnic reactions do not require the presence of ambient air in order to burn. 2 Pyrotechnics applications are plentiful and include use in airbags, fire extinguishers, and road flares.…”

“…However, batch to batch reproducibility is more consistent with spherical atomized forms. 1 Nanothermites are made up of particles smaller than 100 nm in size. They tend to deflagrate with flame velocities exceeding 1 km·s 1 , but they do not detonate.…”

Sn/Mn/Bi2O3 Ternary Pyrotechnic Time Delay Compositions

“…Conventional pyrotechnics are based on intimate mixtures of two or more powders capable of a highly exothermic, self-sustaining reaction. , Ignition requires an external energy impulse that rapidly heats the mixture to a very high temperature . Once ignited, a steep reaction front develops that propagates through the mixture as it converts the reactants into products.…”