Gary Chen

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

The full-up prototype testing of perchlorate-free, hand-held, signal illuminants for the US Armys M126A1 red star parachute hand-held signal is described. Compared to the perchlorate-containing control, the disclosed illuminants yielded excellent stabilities toward various ignition stimuli while offering superior pyrotechnic performance. Militarily, the illuminants provided further evidence that development of smaller hand-held signal items in an environmentally conscious way is a realistic and obtainable goal. The results are also important from the perspective of civilian fireworks, as the development of brighter, longer-burning, and environmentally compatible red-light-emitting pyrotechnics is now possible.

Periodate Salts as Pyrotechnic Oxidizers: Development of Barium‐ and Perchlorate‐Free Incendiary Formulations

In a flash: pyrotechnic incendiary formulations with good stabilities toward various ignition stimuli have been developed without the need for barium or perchlorate oxidizers. KIO(4) and NaIO(4) were introduced as pyrotechnic oxidizers and exhibited excellent pyrotechnic performance. The periodate salts may garner widespread use in military and civilian fireworks because of their low hygroscopicities and high chemical reactivities.