Marcel Dekker - Chemistry of ...

Marcel Dekker - Chemistry of Pyrotechnics - Basic Principles and Theory 1985, Materiały Wybuchowe, Pirotechnika i ...

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I
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
COPYRIGHT ©1985 by MARCEL DEKKER, INC.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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
iv
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.
1
CONTENTS
Preface
ill
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
Brief History
References
1
3
6
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
49
49
51
63
79
80
80
V
vi
Contents
CHAPTER 4 PYROTECHNIC PRINCIPLES
83
Introduction
83
Requirements for a Good High-Energy Mixture
93
Preparation of High-Energy Mixtures
94
CHEMISTRY OF
PYROTECHNICS
References
96
CHAPTER 5 IGNITION AND PROPAGATION
97
Ignition Principles
97
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)
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