Chemistry of Pyrotechnics.pdf

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

PREFACE

Conkling, John A., [date]

Chemistry of pyrotechnics.

Includes bibliographies and index.

1. Fireworks. I. Title.

TP300.C66 1985

662 1 . 1

85-7017

ISBN 0-8247-7443-4

Warning: Formulas in this book relate to mixtures, some or all

of which may be highly volatile and could react violently if ignited

by heat, spark, or friction. High-energy mixtures should never

be prepared or handled by anyone untrained in proper safety pre-

cautions. All work in connection with pyrotechnics and explosives

should be done only by experienced personnel and only with appro-

priate environmental safeguards. The publisher and the author

disclaim all responsibility for injury or damage resulting from use

of any formula or mixture described in this book ; each user assumes

all liability resulting from such usage.

Everyone has observed chemical reactions involving pyrotechnic mix-

tures. Beautiful 4th of July fireworks, highway distress signals,

solid fuel boosters for the Space Shuttle, and the black powder used

by muzzle-loading rifle enthusiasts all have a common technical back-

ground.

The chemical principles underlying these high-energy materials

have been somewhat neglected in the twentieth century by academic

and industrial researchers. Most of the recent work has been goal-

oriented rather than fundamental in nature (e.g. , produce a deeper

green flame). Many of the significant results are found in military

reports, and chemical fundamentals must be gleaned from many pages

of test results.

Much of todays knowledge is carried in the heads of experienced

personnel. Many of these workers acquired their initial training dur-

ing World War II, and they are presently fast approaching (if not

already past) retirement age. This is most unfortunate for future

researchers. Newcomers have a difficult time acquiring the skills and

knowledge needed to begin productive experiments. A background

in chemistry is helpful, but much of todays modern chemistry cur-

riculum will never be used by someone working in pyrotechnics and

explosives. Further, the critical education in how to safely mix,

handle, and store high-energy materials is not covered at all in to-

days schools and must be acquired in "on-the-job" training.

This book is an attempt to provide an introduction to the basic

principles of high-energy chemistry to newcomers and to serve as a

review for experienced personnel. It can by no means substitute

for the essential "hands on" experience and training necessary to

Neither this book nor any part may be reproduced or transmitted in

any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photo-

copying, microfilming, and recording, or by any information storage

and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the pub-

lisher.

MARCEL DEKKER, INC.

270 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016

Current printing (last digit)

10 9 8 7 6

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

iii

Preface

safely work in the field, but I hope that it will be a helpful compan-

ion. An attempt has been made to keep chemical theory simple and

directly applicable to pyrotechnics and explosives. The level ap-

proaches that of an introductory college course, and study of this

text may prepare persons to attend professional meetings and semi-

nars dealing with high-energy materials and enable them to intelli-

gently follow the material being presented. In particular, the In-

ternational Pyrotechnic Seminars, hosted biannually by the Illinois

Institute of Technology Research Institute in conjunction with the

International Pyrotechnics Society, have played a major role in

bringing researchers together to discuss current work. The Pro-

ceedings of the nine seminars held to date contain a wealth of in-

formation that can be read and contemplated by persons with ade-

quate introduction to the field of high-energy chemistry.

I would like to express my appreciation to Mr. Richard Seltzer of

the American Chemical Society and to Dr. Maurits Dekker of Marcel

Dekker, Inc. for their encouragement and their willingness to rec-

ognize pyrotechnics as a legitimate branch of modern chemistry. I

am grateful to Washington College for a sabbatical leave in 1983 that

enabled me to finalize the manuscript. I would also like to express

my thanks to many colleagues in the field of pyrotechnics who have

provided me with data as well as encouragement, and to my 1983 and

1984 Summer Chemistry Seminar groups at Washington College for

their review of draft versions of this book. I also appreciate the

support and encouragement given to me by my wife and children as

I concentrated on this effort.

Finally, I must acknowledge the many years of friendship and

collaboration that I enjoyed with Dr. Joseph H. McLain, former

Chemistry Department Chairman and subsequently President of

Washington College. It was his enthusiasm and encouragement that

dragged me away from the norbornyl cation and physical organic

chemistry into the fascinating realm of pyrotechnics and explosives.

The field of high-energy chemistry lost an important leader when

Dr. McLain passed away in 1981.

CONTENTS

Preface

ill

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

Brief History

References

CHAPTER 2 BASIC CHEMICAL PRINCIPLES

Atoms and Molecules

The Mole Concept

Electron Transfer Reactions

Thermodynamics

Rates of Chemical Reactions

Energy-Rich Bonds

States of Matter

Acids and Bases

Instrumental Analysis

Light Emission

References

John A. Conkling

CHAPTER 3 COMPONENTS OF HIGH-ENERGY

MIXTURES

Introduction

Oxidizing Agents

Fuels

Binders

Retardants

References

Contents

CHAPTER 4 PYROTECHNIC PRINCIPLES

Introduction

Requirements for a Good High-Energy Mixture

Preparation of High-Energy Mixtures

CHEMISTRY OF

PYROTECHNICS

References

CHAPTER 5 IGNITION AND PROPAGATION

Ignition Principles

Sensitivity

108

Propagation of Burning

111

References

123

CHAPTER 6 HEAT AND DELAY COMPOSITIONS

125

Heat Production

125

Delay Compositions

128

Ignition Compositions and First Fires

133

Thermite Mixtures

134

Propellants

136

References

140

CHAPTER 7 COLOR AND LIGHT PRODUCTION

143

White Light Compositions

143

Sparks

147

Flitter and Glitter

149

Color

150

References

165

CHAPTER 8 SMOKE AND SOUND

167

Smoke Production

167

Colored Smoke Mixtures

169

White Smoke Production

172

Noise

176

References

i79

APPENDIXES

181

Appendix A : Obtaining Pyrotechnic Literature

181

Appendix B : Mixing Test Quantities of Pyrotechnic

Compositions

182

I ndex

185

Fireworks burst in the sky over the Washington Monument to cele-

brate Independence Day. Such fireworks combine all of the effects

that can be created using pyrotechnic mixtures. A fuse made with

black powder provides a time delay between lighting and launching.

A propellant charge--also black powder-lifts each fireworks cannis-

ter hundreds of feet into the air. There, a "bursting charge" rup-

tures the casing while igniting numerous small "stars"--pellets of

composition that burn with vividly-colored flames. (Zambelli Inter-

nationale)

Plik z chomika:

Inne pliki z tego folderu:

Inne foldery tego chomika: