Use of Crystalline Boron as a Burn Rate Retardant toward the Development of Green-Colored Handheld Signal Formulations

Abstract

The effect of using crystalline boron in green-colored handheld signal formulations is described. Due to its chemically inert nature, crystalline boron served to reduce the burn rates of the formulations. By adjusting crystalline boron percentages in the formulations, the pyrotechnic system could be tuned to meet burn time specifications.

High‐Nitrogen‐Based Pyrotechnics: Longer‐ and Brighter‐Burning, Perchlorate‐Free, Red‐Light Illuminants for Military and Civilian Applications

“…[3,4] Moreover, it was discovered by ARDEC that a potassium nitrate-boron carbide-epoxy binder mixture alone was able to generate suitable green-light emission. [4] Potassium perchlorate and ammonium perchlorate oxidizers, once believed to be amongst the ideal oxidizers due to their inherent reactivity, stability, low cost, low hygroscopicity, and large positive oxygen balances, have now been identified as an environmental and human-health hazard.…”

Oxidizer Ratio and Oxygen Balance Influence on the Emission Spectra of Green‐Colored Pyrotechnic Flames

“…Boron, copper, and thallium have been found to produce green‐colored flame with boron showing the most potential. At high temperatures, BO 2 is a stable molecular emitter with a dominant emission wavelength of 559–567 nm and a spectral purity ranging from 55 to 80 % 5,8,9,12. Although having potential, elemental amorphous boron, boron carbide, and boron esters are quite expensive, but are still being analyzed for use as colorants 2,5,7,8.…”

High‐Nitrogen‐Based Pyrotechnics: Development of Perchlorate‐Free Green‐Light Illuminants for Military and Civilian Applications

“…[1] Although the Armament Research Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) recently developed barium-and chlorine-free green light-emitters with acceptable burn times for pyrotechnic applications on a small scale, [2,3] research continues in successfully scaling up these technologies on a production scale for the sake of obtaining optimal burn time and luminous intensity values. [1] Although the Armament Research Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) recently developed barium-and chlorine-free green light-emitters with acceptable burn times for pyrotechnic applications on a small scale, [2,3] research continues in successfully scaling up these technologies on a production scale for the sake of obtaining optimal burn time and luminous intensity values.…”

“…For over a decade, there has been interest in the development of environmentally friendly pyrotechnics for military and civilian applications 1. Although the Armament Research Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) recently developed barium‐ and chlorine‐free green light‐emitters with acceptable burn times for pyrotechnic applications on a small scale,2, 3 research continues in successfully scaling up these technologies on a production scale for the sake of obtaining optimal burn time and luminous intensity values. Despite the potential hazards of barium‐containing compounds in pyrotechnics, no permissible limit regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) exists at this time.…”