Chemistry 101 Essay: The Science and Applications of Pyrotechnics

This essay explores the multifaceted world of pyrotechnics, encompassing its definition as the art and science of using self-sustained exothermic chemical reactions to produce various effects like sound, smoke, and light. The essay delves into the materials used, including black powder, and their applications in fireworks, weaponry, and safety devices. It examines the historical development of pyrotechnics, categorizes pyrotechnic materials as propellants and explosives, and discusses the different classes of explosives. Furthermore, the essay highlights the various applications of pyrotechnics such as noise generators, heat generators, and light generators. Safety precautions and potential hazards associated with pyrotechnics are also addressed, emphasizing the need for proper training and handling of these materials. The essay concludes by summarizing the diverse applications of pyrotechnics and the need for caution when working with pyrotechnic compounds.

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Essay on pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnics can be defined as the art and science of using self-sustained and self-contained
exothermic chemical reactions to produce sound, smoke, gas, light, and/or heat. Pyrotechnics
involves gas-pressure blasting in demolition, quarrying, and mining, parts of automatic airbags,
oxygen candles, explosive bolts as well as other fasteners, safety matches, and also fireworks.
These special characteristics of Pyrotechnics are used widely in the production of a motion
picture to produce different types of effects involving sound, smoke, light, fire, and explosives
concussions (Schubert). Different features of heat, light, smoke, designs or colors can be
produced through the use of different compounds in specific areas of the firework, either
stationary or projectile.
Professor John Comkling of Washington College during an interview season stated that "Some
people consider fireworks produced as a result of pyrotechnics to be obnoxious bursts of noise
and dangerous, while others consider then as an artful and beautiful display of light. Different
features of heat, light, smoke, designs or colors can be produced through the use of different
compounds in specific areas of the firework, either stationary or projectile.” (Interview) The
types of materials used in pyrotechnics include detonator explosives, smokeless powder, black
powder, gun cotton, flash paper, and flash powder. These materials are applied in sparkle pots,
smoke pots, mortars, fuses, flash pots, blank cartridges, and bullet hits.

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Black powder is considered to be the first pyrotechnic and it was known more than 1000 years
ago in China where it was applied in making rockets and firecrackers to frighten enemies in
combat and for public entertainment. The knowledge of black powder later spread in the Middle
Ages to the West. Black powder later led to the development of fire weapons in the 14th century.
This is evident in the well-aged manure piles or walls of caves where a shiny crystalline
materials made from potassium nitrate have been found (Raghavan and Jacob). Sulfur was later
used to provide additional fuel and decrease ignition temperature found in volcanic deposits.
Finally, the black powder formula was advanced to a mix of sulfur, charcoal, and saltpertre in the
proportions of 10:15:75 by weight.
Black powder is a perfect pyrotechnic in various aspects. Its raw materials are reasonably safe,
abundant, and cheap. The final product of black powder can easily be ignited with a spark, can
be stored indefinitely if kept very dry, can readily burn but by deflagration, non-detonation, and
non-toxic ingredients easily shaped (Schubert).
Different ingredients may be added to pyrotechnic devices to produce sparks, noise, smoke, or
color. The construction methods and special additives are used in the modification of the
character of the produced effect. Either to subdue or enhance the effect. For instance,
sandwiching layers of pyrotechnic substances having sodium benzoate, sodium salicylate, or
potassium perchlorate with layers that do not produce spark fountain with a rippling whistle
(Tarver). Generally, pyrotechnic devices are started by an electrical signal-controlled remotely
which causes an electrical match to generate ignition. The remote control may be computer-
controlled according to a sequence that tracks the live performance or computer-controlled
according to a pre-programmed sequence.

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Generally, all pyrotechnics are explosive, however, not all explosives can be said to be
pyrotechnics. The lowest class of pyrotechnics is Class C explosives which are common
fireworks. Class B explosives are pyrotechnic special effect materials. They normally burn but
do not explode unless under confinement or enclosure (Wanninger). Some of the examples of
Class B explosives include Class B composite solid propellant, Class B special fireworks, fuse
lighters, igniter cord, igniters, safety fuses, pellet powder, and black powder. Class A explosives
are known to be highly explosive materials and include materials such as Primacord and
dynamite which may detonate even without any confinement. Both Class C and B explosives are
referred to as low explosives.
During with Professor Kelsie Foster of Stanford University during an interview season, he stated
that ‘All these categories of pyrotechnic materials are composed of a reducer which is a fuel and
an oxidizer which is the source of oxygen. Some examples of oxidizers include potassium
chlorate, potassium perchlorate, strontium nitrate, and potassium nitrate. (Interview.)” Some of
the examples of fuels used in pyrotechnics include organic fuels such as chlorinated
hydrocarbons, resins, starch, and charcoal, silicon dioxide, sulfur, and metals like aluminum and
magnesium. The choice of oxidizer and fuel determines the intensity, color, and type of effects
such as sound, smoke, flash, heat, and light.
There are two categories of pyrotechnic materials, namely two-component and single-component
systems. Oxidizer and fuel must be part of the same molecule for the case of single-base
pyrotechnics with no positive balance of oxygen or even oxidizer and fuel should be premixed as
in the case of double-based pyrotechnics (Lihong). They should also be in condense form and
highly exothermic to produce great expanding gases and energy.

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The materials of a single component may either explode if ignited, or burn if ignited when
enclosed since the fuel and oxidizer are in the particular mixture. For example, the flash paper is
partially nitrate cellulose and internally has both oxidizer and fuel. The conventional black
powder has charcoal and sulfur as fuels and potassium nitrate as the oxidizer (Juknelevicius,
Mikoliunaite, and Sakirzanovas). In double-base component materials, the oxidizing agents may
be perchlorates, chromates, oxides, peroxides, chlorates, and nitrates, all providing oxygen. The
reducing agent may be metal powder, sulfur, or charcoal.
Pyrotechnics can be categorized are propellants and explosives according to their use.
Propellants are substances produce a subsonic reaction wave through chemical decomposition
propagating at a few m/s within the materials, producing large quantities of expanding gases.
Propellants are also referred to as low-explosives, and the process is called deflagration
(Raghavan and Jacob). Explosives are substances that produce a supersonic reaction wave
through chemical decomposition propagating at high km/s in the materials, producing huge
quantities of expanding gases. The process is referred to as detonation. Sensitive materials that
may be exploded by a small quantity of pressure or heat are known as primary explosives such as
lead azide and nitroglycerine.
According to their purpose, Pyrotechnics may be categorized as noise generators, heat
generators, fire generators, light generators, gas generators, propellants, and blasters. The noise
generators are used for rescue signals and are produced when black powder burns slowly in the
open resulting in an explosion. Smoke generators are used for military purpose or rescue signals
and are produced through smoke from poor combustion of carbonaceous fuels to form a
suspension of microscopic solid particles (Azhagurajan and Ruvankumar). Heat generators are
produced through reactions that generate huge quantity of energy at very high temperatures such

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as a reaction involving incendiary metals like aluminum, magnesium, and zirconium. Heat
generators are used in the melting or burning of military gear abandoned to remove their traces.
As fire generators, pyrotechnics are used for military purposes or domestic applications such as
fuel pellets and matches. Light generators are generally used for rescue signal or fireworks are
produced by mixing some metal powder such as iron, aluminum, and zinc to black powder so as
to generate colored shimmering sparks and bright light (Qadeer). Gas generators are used for
airbag inflators for car safety and are generated through combustion of sodium azide with an
oxidizer generating a huge quantity of nitrogen gas rapidly which inflates a polyene or nylon
bag. Blasters are used for weaponry, quick-release devices, demolition, tunneling, and mining.
Pyrotechnics, whether used as a career or a hobby may be very dangerous in case the correct
equipment is not applied. Pyrotechnics can be hazardous compounds that must always be treated
with proper training and serious respect (Klapötke, Rusan, and Stierstorfer). Because of the
dangerous nature of these materials, precautions must always be taken to make sure the safety of
all people in the surrounding of pyrotechnics.
There is need of taking extreme care when using hotter and bigger burning compounds. The
majority of these compounds are unstable. This is the major reason for using a huge cement
room known as bunkers. The major problems related to the application of pyrotechnics include
inadequately experienced and trained pyrotechnics operators, lack of sufficient fire extinguishing
capabilities, causing fire, use of more dangerous or larger quantities than required, and premature
triggering of pyrotechnic effect (Lihong). As a result of these risks involved, the regulation of all
pyrotechnics special effects are done at the local, state, and federal level. Despite all the
precautions, errors and accidents occur frequently which may result in loss of life in severe

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cases, injury, and property damage. These incidents are generally caused by operator error,
unforeseen or unexpected events, or poorly manufactured product.
CONCLUSION
From the discussion above, the various applications of pyrotechnics may be categorized as noise
generators, heat generators, fire generators, light generators, gas generators, propellants, and
blasters. The characteristics of pyrotechnics that makes these component distinct include the
capability of these components to produce different types of effects involving sound, smoke,
light, fire, and explosives concussions. There is need of taking extreme care when using hotter
and bigger burning compounds since the majority of these compounds are unstable.

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WORK CITED
Azhagurajan, A and M Ruvankumar. "Study on nano scale pyrotechnic star chemicals in aerial fireworks
manufacturing." Journal of Achievements of Materials and Manufacturing Engineering 74
(2016): 5-10.
Interview. "An interview season with Professsor John Conkling of Washington College on 02/06/2020."
Direct Interview with College Professor 40 (2020).
Interview. "Professor Kelsie Foster of Stanford University." Direct Interview with Professor Kelsie Foster
of Stanford University on 02/03/2020 9 (2020).
Juknelevicius, Dominykas, Lina Mikoliunaite and Simas Sakirzanovas. "A Spectrophotometric Study of
Red Pyrotechnic Flame Properties Using Three Classical Oxidizers: Ammonium Perchlorate,
Potassium Perchlorate, Potassium Chlorate." Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie
640 (2014): 2560-2565.
Klapötke, Thomas, Magdalena Rusan and Jörg Stierstorfer. "Metal Salts of 4,5-Dinitro-1,3-imidazole as
Colorants in Pyrotechnic Compositions." Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie 640
(2014): 1347-1354.
Lihong, L. "Pyrotechnic Profusion: Fireworks, Spectacles, and Automata in Time." Journal18 (2017).
Qadeer, Abdul. "Accelerated ageing of SR-562 pyrotechnic composition and investigation of its thermo
kinetic parameters." Fire and Materials 41 (2016): 131-141.
Raghavan, Rajeev and Salu Jacob. "Ion Chromatographic Analysis of Ammonium Dinitramide-Oxidizer for
Propellant and Pyrotechnic Applications." Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics 38 (2012): 273-
277.
Schubert, Hiltmar. "40 years of Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics. PEP celebrates its rich history."
Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics 40 (2015): 5-6.
Tarver, Craig. "High Energy Materials, Propellants, Explosives and Pyrotechnics, Jai Prakash Agrawal."
Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics 35 (2010): 494-494.
Wanninger, Paul. "Initiation of Explosives & Pyrotechnic Materials, Jean-René Duguet." Propellants,
Explosives, Pyrotechnics 35 (2010): 407-407.