Pyrotechnic Chemistry

Module 0 – Introduction

• Pyrotechnic chemistry introduction
• Pyrotechnics and the law
• Introduction to hazards and risk 

Module I – Basic Chemical Principles

• Atomic Structure
• Chemical Bonds and Bond Types
• Chemical Names
• Chemical Formulae and Equations
• Common Pyrotechnic Materials

Module II – Pyrotechnic Chemistry, Ignition and Propagation

• Chemical Oxidation States
• Oxidation Reactions
• Reaction Energy Considerations
• Thermal Run-Away
• Pyrotechnic Ignition and Propagation

Module III – Pyrotechnic Primes and Priming

• Shimizu Energy Diagrams
• Ignition and Propagation Problems
• Prime Formulations and Application Techniques
• Alternatives to Priming

Module IV – Factors Affecting Burn Rate

• Choice of Fuel and Oxidizer and Their Ratio
• Degree of Mixing and Consolidation
• Particle Size and Shape
• Additives and Catalysts
• Temperature, Pressure and Confinement
• Physical Form and Consolidation
• Geometry, Crystal and Environmental Effects

Module V – Aspects of Pyrotechnic Burning

• Pyrotechnic Delays
• Parallel vs. Propagative Burning
• Black Match and Quick Match Mechanisms
• Rocket Performance / Malfunctions
• Burning, Deflagration and Detonation

Module VI – Physical Basis for Coloured Light Production

• Nature of Light
• Line, Band and Continuous Emissions
• Chromaticity Diagrams
• Additive Colour Laws
• Colour Theory Applied

Module VII – Chemistry of Coloured Flame

• Mechanism of Coloured Light Production
• Colour Agents and Colour Species
• Colour Enhancers
• Optimizing Colour Quality
• Use of Metal Fuels
• Special Topics

Module VIII – Chemistry of Sparks, Glitter and Strobe

• Light Emission from Sparks
• Control of Spark Chemistry
• Mechanism of Glitter
• Influence of Metal Fuels on Glitter
• Control of Glitter Delay
• Mechanism of Strobe Burning
• Control of Strobe Rate

Module IX – Pyrotechnic Smoke and Noise

• Physical Smoke
• Chemical Smoke
• Whistles
• Salutes and Reports

Module X – Approaches to Formulation Development

• Add or Substitute a Component
• Mix Compositions
• Triangle Diagrams
• Stoichiometric Approaches
• Other Approaches

Module XI – Pyrotechnic Sensitiveness

• Water Sensitiveness
• Auto-Ignition Temperature
• Friction Sensitiveness
• Impact Sensitiveness
• Electrostatic Sensitiveness

Module XII – Hazard Management

• Elements of Hazard Management
• Chemical Toxicity Hazards
• Pyrotechnic Hazards
• Hazardous Chemical Combinations
• Measures to Control Hazards

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