Preparation and Characterization of the Zr/CuO Pyrotechnical Battery

A pyrotechnical battery is successfully prepared, including an anode and cathode having pyrotechnic charges with Zr, CuO and asbestos. The anode and cathode are separated by a separator formed from LiF, ZrO2, and a fibrous sponge. A digital phosphor oscilloscope （DPO） is used to analyze discharge characterization of the pyrotechnical battery. Then the properties of the electrode materials are characterized by EDS, SEM and a temperature recorder, respectively. The discharge mechanism and safety characteristic are also discussed. The results indicate that the combustion temperature of electrode materials is determined as 1 500.6 ℃ according to thermometry analysis （the case temperature of the battery is lower）. The combustion product is identified as ZrO2, Cu2O and Cu by X-ray diffraction （XRD）. When the diaphragm is completely melted, Li＋ migration and an embedded-based conductive process are formed. Then an electromotive force will immediately reach to the maximum. The discharge performance of the pyrotechnical battery then takes on stability. The electromotive force is up to 2.29 V, and that discharge time continues for more than 18 s. The current density in the small area （less than 2.88 Acm-2） is most effective. The conversion efficiency of electric energy is 96%. The pyrotechnical battery is very safe for the production and use processes.

Catalysis of Active Carbon Supporting Transition Metal Oxides for Pyrotechnical Reagent with Potassium Perchlorate

In order to improve the pyrotechnical reagent with potassium perchlorate,composite catalyst of active carbon supporting transition metal oxides （TMO）,Fe2O3 and CuO,were prepared and added into pyrotechnical reagent with potassium perchlorate.Accelerating rate calorimeter （ARC） was used to study the catalysis of pyrotechnical reagent which is consisted of potassium perchlorate and composite catalyst.Composite catalyst of both Fe2O3 and CuO supported by active carbon can catalyze pyrotechnical reagent with potassium perchlorate.Furthermore,it can lower the apparent activation energy and accelerate the reaction with a smaller quantity than that with Fe2O3 and CuO.The maximal reaction rate of pyrotechnical reagent with potassium perchlorate mixed with Fe2O3/active carbon and CuO/active carbon is 8.31 min-1 and 9.13 min-1,which is 1.74 times and 1.91 times of pyrotechnical reagent mixed with no catalyst;time to maximal rate was 18.99 min and 1.96 min respectively,which is lower than pyrotechnical reagent mixed with no catalyst by 86.46% and 98.67% ;the apparent activation energy is 368.10 kJ·mol-1 and 325.29 kJ·mol-1,which is lower than pyrotechnical reagent mixed with no catalyst by 31.89% and 39.81% respectively.

Fluorine-containing oxidizers for metal fuels in energetic formulations

Fluorine containing oxidizers, primarily polymers, are extensively used in pyrotechnic compositions.Fluorinated oxidizers are less explored for metalized propellants and explosives despite a potential advantage of substantial heat release combined with gaseous combustion products. This review summarizes different types of fluorinated oxidizers used in energetic formulations or of potential interest for such systems, including gases, polymers, and inorganic compounds. Types of energetic formulations employing metals and fluoropolymers are discussed in more detail, including methods used to prepare composites and resulting salient features of the obtained materials. Laboratory experiments characterizing such materials, in particular, electron microscopy and thermal analysis, are discussed, showing characteristic morphologies and reaction sequences observed in different metal-fluorinated oxidizer composites. Striking similarities are noted in reaction sequences for diverse compositions hinting at possible similarities in the respective reaction mechanisms. Experiments probing ignition and combustion of metal-fluorinated oxidizer composites in laboratory conditions are also reviewed, including impact, flash heating and shock ignition. Finally, some practical performance tests for energetic formulations are described following by a brief discussion of the reaction mechanisms expected to govern ignition and combustion in various metal-fluorinated oxidizer composites. The conclusions are combined with recommendation for future research in the area of reactive metal-fluorinated oxidizer composites.

Novel yellow colored flame compositions with superior spectral performance

The production of colored flames is the primary purpose of military signaling, projectile tracing, and illuminating devices. Certain elements and compounds when heated to high temperature have the unique property of emitting lines or narrow bands in the visible region(380-780 nm). This study, reports on the development of novel yellow colored flame compositions with enhanced spectral performance in terms of luminous intensity, and color quality to standard Russian yellow tracer. The light intensity and the imprint spectra of developed yellow flares were measured using digital luxmeter and UV e Vis. spectrometer respectively. The main giving of this study is that the light intensity, and color quality of Russian yellow tracer were improved by 287%, and 170% respectively. This was accomplished by means of optimizing the ratio of novel binder to color source using aluminum metal fuel. Aluminumbased formulations were found to maximize the formation of yellow reactive emitting specimens, and to eliminate any interfering incandescent emission resulted from Mg O. Quantification of yellow color emitting specimens in the combustion gaseous products was achieved using chemical equilibrium thermodynamic code named ICT(Institute of Chemical Technology in Germany, Virgin 2008); in an attempt to judge the light quality. This improvement in yellow flare performance established the rule that the emission intensity increases as the reaction temperature increases. In the meantime upper limit of temperature was avoided to maximize the color quality.

Spectrally adapted red flare tracers with superior spectral performance

The production of bright light, with vivid color, is the primary purpose of signaling, illuminating devices,and fire control purposes. This study, reports on the development of red flame compositions with enhanced performance in terms of luminous intensity, and color quality. The light intensity and the imprint spectra of developed red flame compositions to standard NATO red tracer(R-284 NATO) were measured using digital luxmeter, and UV-Vis. spectrometer. The main giving of this study is that the light intensity of standard NATO red tracer was increased by 72%, the color quality was also improved by60%(over the red band from 650 to 780 nm). This enhanced spectral performance was achieved by means of deriving the combustion process to maximize the formation of red color emitting species in the combustion flame. Thanks to the optimum ratio of color source to color intensifier using aluminum metal fuel; this approach offered the highest intensity and color quality. Upon combustion, aluminum was found to maximize the formation SrCL(the main reactive red color emitting species) and to minimize the interfering incandescent emission resulted from MgO and SrO. Quantification of active red color emitting species in the combustion flame was conducted using chemical equilibrium thermodynamic code named ICT. The improvement in red flare performance, established the rule that the color intensifier should be in the range from 10 to 15 Wt % of the total composition.

Research on a MEMS pyrotechnic with a double-layer barrier safety and arming device

As an essential component of ammunition, pyrotechnics can control ignition with high reliability.However, due to limits of fabrication technology, traditional pyrotechnics are bulky. To achieve both functionality and miniaturization, MEMS pyrotechnics integrate initiator, safety-and-arming(S&A) device and lead charge and keep all components within a small size. MEMS S&A devices, as the core component to ensure system safety, are difficult to achieve active and rapid response to control signals with high safety and reliability. In order to overcome the difficulty, we propose the design and characterization of a MEMS pyrotechnic with a double-layer barrier S&A device. The MEMS pyrotechnic is a high-integrated device with an overall size of 13.4 × 8.5 × 5.2 mm^(3). The initiator is a Ni Cr bridge foil covered with an Al/Cu O energetic film, which can generate flame when ignited by an excitation voltage.To match the flame energy, lead styphnate is chosen in this study as the lead charge. The S&A device contains four semi-circular barriers, which are directly driven by V-shape electro-thermal actuators to gain active control of the pyrotechnics’ ignition condition with rapid response. To improve the system’s reliability, the four barriers are axisymmetrically placed in two layers, two barriers for each layer, to constitute a double-layer structure with a thickness of 100 μm. The ignition test results show that the S&A device can prevent the initiator from detonating the lead charge in safety condition. In arming condition, the lead charge will be detonated.

Novel colored flames via chromaticity of essential colors

Colored flame compositions have distinctive variety of applications ranging from military signaling,rocket tracking, and illuminating devices. Certain elements and compounds when heated to high temperature are able to emit unique wavelengths in the visible region. This study, reports on the development of novel colored flames that cannot be generated by emitting atomic/molecular species. This was achieved by using chromaticity of basic colored flames. Mixing of high quality primary colored flames including Blue, Yellow, and Red in proper ratio was conducted; any interfering incandescent emission resulted from MgO was eliminated using Al metal fuel. The spectral characteristics in terms of luminous intensity, and color quality were evaluated using digital luxmeter and UV-Vis. spectrometer respectively.High quality mixed colored flames include violet, sweet pink, and marigold were developed. This study shaded the light on the state of the art for the real development of novel colored flame compositions and chromaticity of basic colored flames.

Combustion of B4C/KNO3 binary pyrotechnic system

Presented herein is an experimental study on the combustion of B4C/KNO3 binary pyrotechnic system.Combustion products were tested using X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS).According to the results of tests and CEA calculation,the combustion reaction equation was established.The flames and burning rates were recorded by a high speed camera and a spectrophotometer.The effect of B4C particle size on the thermal sensitivity of B4C/KNO3 was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC)techniques.In addition,a reliable method for calculating the flame temperature was proposed.Based on the results of experiments,the combustion reaction mechanism was briefly analyzed.The burning rate,flame temperature and thermal sensitivity of B4C/KNO3 increase with the decrease of B4C particle size.The mass ratio of B4C/KNO3 has a great effect on combustion properties.Oxidizer-rich compositions have low flame temperatures,low burning rates,and provide green light emission.The combustion reactions of fuel-rich compositions are vigorous,and the B4C/KNO3 with mass ratio of 25:75 has the highest burning rate and the highest flame temperature.

Numerical simulation of radiated noise during combustion of energetic materials in a closed bomb

In this study,based on a closed bomb test combined with computational fluid dynamics,a structural finite element method,and an acoustic boundary element method,a fluid-solid acoustic one-way coupling calculation model is established for the combustion process of energetic materials in a closed bomb,and the effectiveness of the model is verified by experiments.It is found that the maximum peak sound pressure increases exponentially with an increase in loading doses or gas pressure.However,a change in the combustion coefficient of the energetic materials has little effect on the noise generated during the combustion process in the closed bomb.When the combustion coefficient is reduced by a multiple of 16,the maximum transient sound pressure is reduced by 1.79 dB,and the sound pressure level in the frequency band is reduced by 1.75 dB.With an increase in shell thickness,the combustion noise of the energetic materials in the closed bomb decreases,and the reduction range of the combustion noise increases with the increase in shell thickness.

Numerical investigation on cooling performance of filter in a pyrotechnic gas generator

As a key part of the pyrotechnic gas generator,the filter not only removes the particulate matter but also cools the hot gas to a safe level.This paper aims to improve the understanding of the basic heat and flow phenomenon in the gas generator.The pyrotechnic gas generator is modelling by a simplified filter structure with fiber arrays.A finite-volume model of the heat and fluid flow is proposed to simulate the detailed multi-dimensional flow and energy conversion behaviors.Several verification results are in good agreement with data in different references.Simulation results demonstrate that the filter can not only absorb heat from the gas but also cause the high intensity enhancement of the heat transfer.The performance difference between inline and staggered arrays is also discussed.The findings of the study put a further prediction tool for the understanding and design of the filter system with fibers.

Special materials in pyrotechnics Ⅶ: Pyrotechnics used in thermal batteries

Thermal batteries are unique direct current(DC) electrical power sources with long shelf live, high reliability and higher power density than classical alkaline batteries. This paper gives a brief overview into the working principle of thermal batteries and reviews the properties of zirconium/barium chromate(Zr/BaCrO4) pyrolant previously used as first fire and iron/potassium perchlorate(Fe/KClO4) pyrolant(Heat), commonly applied as heating pellet in thermal batteries and its hazard properties. The review gives 64 references to the public domain. CAS-Nos. Zr: [7440-67-7], BaCrO4: [10294-40-3], Fe: [7439-89-6], KClO4: [7778-74-7], Viton: [9011-17-0].CAS-Nos. Zr: [7440-67-7], BaCrO4: [10294-40-3], Fe: [7439-89-6], KClO4: [7778-74-7], Viton: [9011-17-0].

Misconceptions in global reactions and formula writing

The frequently used concept of "global reaction" is discussed and the reason for the confusion behind explained. The misconception is cleared by formula writing based on the donor–acceptor(donac) reaction concept and by applying the Grand Rule of Formula Writing that is based on it.

A study of flames with millimeter-wave radiation

It is a valuable issue to explore whether a flame can radiate microwaves,in spite of the electric field formed in the flame.Presented herein is an experimental study on a series of flames with millimeterwave radiation in the combustion of pyrotechnic films.The pyrotechnic films were composed of ultrafine red phosphorus(P),sodium nitrate(NaNO_3),Polyvinyl Alcohol(PVA) and some additives such as chopped carbon fibers(CFs) and aluminized glass fibers(GFs).The combustion temperatures and millimeter-wave radiation signals of the flames were measured,the millimeter-wave emissivity and spectral radiant exitance were calculated to describe the millimeter-wave radiation intensity.The results demonstrate that the flame of the pyrotechnic films based on P/NaNO_3/CFs can radiate millimeter waves,and different materials and their proportion have a great effect on the millimeter-wave radiation intensity.

Effects of Mg/PTFE pyrotechnic compositions on reignition characteristics of base bleed propellants and heating mechanism

The effects of magnesium/polytetrafluoroethylene(Mg/PTFE)pyrotechnic compositions on the coupled flow field and reignition mechanism are important aspects governing the perfommance and range of base bleed projectiles(BBPs).Owing to a decrease in pressure and temperature when the BBP leaves the muzzle,rapid depressurization occurs,which extinguishes the base bleed propellant.The Mg/PTFE py-rotechnic composition pressed in the igniter of the base bleed unit(BBU)provides additional energy to the BBU via a chemical reaction.Thus,the extinguished base bleed propellant is reignited under the effect of high-temperature combustion gas jets from the igniter.In this study,a numerical analysis is conducted to evaluate the effects of PTFE and Mg granularity as well as Mg/PTFE pyrotechnic compo-sitions.Owing to the rapid depressurization,the temperature and pressure was found to decrease fordifferent Mg/PIFE pyrotechnic compositions.However,the depressurization time increased as the PTFE granularity increased,the Mg granularity decreased,and the Mg content increased.When the pressure in the combustion chamber of the BBU decreased to the atmospheric pressure,the combustion gas jets from the igniter expand upstream(rather than downstream).However,these combustion gas jets exhibit different axial and radial expansion characteristics depending on the pyrotechnic compositions used,The results show that the reignition delay time,ta,of the base bleed propellant was 377.608,94.27,387.243,523.966,and 221.094 ms for cases A-E,respectively.Therefore,it was concluded that the Mg/PTFE pyrotechnic composition of case B was the most beneficial for the reignition of the base bleed propellant,with the earliest addition of energy and mass to the BBP.

Flash Lamps as Ignition and Initiation Sources of the VS-2 Pyrotechnic Composition

In the present work it is found that the pyrotechnic composition VS⁃2 can be initiated with flash lamps IFC⁃500 and EVIS.VS⁃2 pyrotechnic composition contains 90%of mercury(Ⅱ)5⁃hydrazinotetrazolate perchlorate and 10%of optically trans⁃parent copolymer of 2⁃methyl⁃5⁃vinyltetrazole and methacrylic acid(PVMT).We have found that the flash lamps make it possi⁃ble to initiate combustion of VS⁃2 composition with its transition to detonation both in cylindrical charges placed in brass caps of 5 mm diameter and 2 mm high,and film charges with 10 mm×80 mm in size and surface weights of 60 mg·cm^(-2)and 90 mg·cm^(-2),showing ignition delay times 10μs and 3μs,respectively.We also measured detonation velocities for VS⁃2 composition film charges,which were 4375-4505 m·s^(-1)(of the charge being surface mass 60 mg·cm^(-2))and 4221-4281 m·s^(-1)(of the charge be⁃ing surface mass 90 mg·cm^(-2))and their blasting action on the aluminum plate.The depths of the normal shock wave imprints at the charge⁃barrier interface were 0.6-0.7 mm(for surface mass of the film charges 60 mg·cm^(-2))and 1.2-1.3 mm(for surface mass of the film charges 90 mg·cm^(-2))

Reliability Estimation of Aviation Pyrotechnics System Based on Mixed Beta Distribution

For evaluating reliability of an aviation pyrotechnics system,a Bayesian reliability estimation method utilizing reliability information of a system and its units was put forward. Firstly,an inheritance factor was determined by chi-square goodness of fit test.Then the mixed prior distribution was obtained based on the inheritance factor. Finally, the density function of posterior distribution was obtained and used to assess the reliability of system.According to the new method, the reliability of an aviation pyrotechnics system was evaluated to reach 0. 989 6 at the confidence level of 0. 90. To reach the reliability index,the required numbers of trials of system and its units were given. It is instructional to apply the new method on the reliability estimation of aviation pyrotechnics systems.

Photochemical Properties of Precipitated Solid Aerosol Produced by Burning of Titanium Microparticles under Ambient Air

In order to neutralize a drastic pollution of the environment (technogenic catastrophe) it is suggested to use technogenic technologies of chemical compound decontamination. One in such technologies can be the technology using metal oxide solid aerosols which are active in removal of pollutant compounds and obtainable by combustion under ambient air of appropriate metal particles, for example, aluminum, magnesium, titanium and etc. It is shown that the titanium dioxide out of an solid aerosol, obtained by pyrotechnic mixture combustion containing titanium microparticles has optic, chemical and photocatalytic properties close to properties of titanium dioxide produced by a different way. The production of such aerosol in direct place of a technogenic catastrophe can be made for the cleaning of atmosphere near a pollution source.

Reaction mechanism,insensitivity and mechanical property of PTFE-Mg-W composites with magnesium particles surface modification

This paper aims at enhancing impact insensitivity of polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE)-Mg-W without sacrificing bulk of energy released in the reaction and optimizing mechanical properties of PTFE-Mg-W by magnesium surface treatment.The reaction energy results indicate that the reaction energy of PTFE-Mg-W(modified 1 min)in oxygen decreases slightly to 7905 J·g^(-1)compared with that of PTFE-Mg-W(unmodified)which is8533 J·g^(-1).Under impact condition(impact velocity between 16.232 and 17.726 m·s^(-1)),compared with PTFEMg-W(unmodified),the initiation time before ignition of PTFE-Mg-W(modified 1 min)delays 50μs;the absorbed energy needed for ignition of PTFE-Mg-W(modified1 min)increases by 67.9%.This increase in impact insensitivity of PTFE-Mg-W can be contributed to the formation of passivated layers of magnesium particles after modification which effectively weakens the total interface area among reactive components and partly contributes to the loss of released energy of PTFE-Mg-W after magnesium modification.The quasi-static and dynamic compression results show that PTFE-Mg-W(modified 1 min)possess the highest strength and the best ductility.

Influence of multiple structural parameters on buffer performance of a thin-walled circular tube based on the coupling modeling technique

Pyrotechnic devices are widely used in the aerospace and defense industries.However,these devices generate high-frequency and high-amplitude shock responses during their use,compromising safe operation of the system.In this paper,the application of a thin-walled circular tube as the energy absorber in pyrotechnic devices is investigated.To accurately predict the shock load and the buffer performance of the thin-walled circular tube,a coupled model connecting the energetic material combustion and finite element simulation is established.The validity of the coupled model is verified by comparing with experiments.Then,the collapse mechanism of the thin-walled circular tube is studied,and the influence of multiple structural parameters on its buffer performance is analyzed.The results show that the thin-walled circular tube effectively reduces the shock overload.The maximum shock overload reduced from 572612g to 11204g in the studied case.The structural parameters of the thin-walled circular tube mainly affect the deformation process and the maximum shock overload.The order of importance of structural parameters to the maximum shock overload is determined,among which the wall thickness has the most significant effect.

Neutron Radiography of Space Pyrotechnics

The research work, facilities, and results of NDT testing of space pyrotechnics in China using Neutron Radiography (NR) at the Tsinghua University swimming-pool reactor are introduced in this paper. The image quality (NR) approached the standard of ASTM E 545-86 level I. NR experimental research of typical and possible defects was performed along with a theoretical analysis. The feasibility of using NR NDT (non-destructive testing) for space pyrotechnics was proven experimentally. Space detonating cord is tested with Neutron Radiography. The detonating cord with artificial explosive charge defects as a reference is put into every neutron radiography film. Slagging of the lead cladding and explosive charge inhomogeneity are discovered.