Journal of Pyrotechnics

Journal of Pyrotechnics

Issues of the Journal of Pyrotechnics [ISSN 1082-3999] appear twice a year. Early issues contained 40 to 50 pages. More recent issues contain 70 to 80 pages printed in 8-1/2x11" format with medium-sized print. Areas of pyrotechnics addressed include fireworks, pyrotechnic special effects, propellants & rocketry, and civilian pyrotechnics. The Journal is "dedicated to the advancement of pyrotechnics through the sharing of information". This is accomplished with a mix of different types of articles; however, most fall into two areas. One area is reports on pyrotechnic and fireworks research conducted by both professional scientists and individual experimenters. The other area is reviews of various technical and craft areas of pyrotechnics, some at an advanced level and others at a tutorial level.

If you are interested in publishing an article in the Journal of Pyrotechnics, contact the publisher. Author Instructions.

Cover price for
Issues 1 to 5 are US$25.00 per issue.
Issues 6 to 24 are US$35.00 per issue.
Issues 25 on are US $40.00 per issue.

See order for for 40% discount and shipping.

We are now offering reprints of individual articles. For pricing and more information, follow the above link!.

See order area for discount and shipping information. Issue 23 is the current issue. To see the abstract of an article select the Title.

A keyword index for Issues 1 to 21 correlates keywords with where the article appeared. This small PDF file is approximately 70 kb.

An authors' index PDF file for Issues 1 to 23 correlates the issue and page number to where an author's article appeared. It is a smaller PDF file.

Additionally, you can download a 50 kb PDF file containing all of the titles of the articles that have appeared in Issue 1 to 23.

To skip to a specific issue, select the issue in the box below:

Issue 23, Summer 2006:

• Computer Modeling of Flying Star Ballistics
  
• Temperature Measurements within the Luminous Region of a Burning Ba(NO₃)₂/Al Mixture
• Ballistics of an Iron Bar Shot from a Mortar


• Ballistics of a No. 3 Spherical Shell with Illuminant


• Effect of Particle Size on the Mechanical Sensitivity and Thermal Stability Aspects of Pyrotechnic Flash Compositions


• Interrelation between Impact, Friction and Thermal Energy of Pyrotechnic Cracking Reaction


• Thermal Characterisation and Kinetic Modelling of Pyrotechnic Flash Composition under Adiabatic Conditions

Communications and Reviews:

• Review by Christopher Pearce of Fireworks, Principles and Practice by Rev. Ron Lancaster

Selected Proceedings of the 2^nd Workshop on Pyrotechnic Combustion Mechanisms:

• The Combustion Products of Novel High-Nitrogen Energetic Materials
• Laser-Initiated Reactions of Energetic/Thermitic Composites
• New Approaches to Model Pyrotechnic Reactions

Issue 22, Winter 2005:

• Interior Pressure in the Mortar and Motion of a No. 3 Shell in a Fireworks Shot
• A Prediction of Aerial Shell and Comet Trajectories Using SHELLCALC©
• Reaction propagation between fireworks shells and compositions confined in steel pipes
• Thermodynamic and Spectroscopic Analysis of a Simple Lilac Flame Composition
• A Thrust and Impulse Study of Guanidinium Azo-Tetrazolateas a Fuel Additive for Hybrid Rocket Motor
• Pressure in a Mortar and Estimation of Muzzle Velocity of Expelled Stars
• Notes on chlorinated rubber and some other chlorine donors
• Pressure in a Mortar and Estimation of Muzzle Velocity of Expelled Stars

Communications:

• An Introduction to the European CHAF Project by D. Chapman
• Review by Tom Smith of: Review of Firework Art by Mark Flemmin

Issue 21, Summer 2005:

• A Review of the Chemistry and Dynamics of Pyrotechnic Whistles
• Air Blast TNT Equivalency for Rolls of Paper Toy Caps
• Optical Studies of Combustion Chamber Flame in a Hybrid Rocket Motor
• Special Materials in Pyrotechnics: IV. The Chemistry of Phosphorus and its Compounds
• Choked Flow, a Frequently Misunderstood Term
• Impact Sensitiveness Analysis of Pyrotechnic Flash Compositions
• Spectral Study of Metallic Molecular Bands in Hybrid Rocket Plumes

Communications:

• Note on “Metal Monochloride Emitters in Pyrotechnic Flames – Ions or Neutrals?” by Barry Sturman
• Review by F. J. Feher of: The Chemistry of Explosives by Jacqueline Akhavan
• Review by K. Kosanke of: Color, An Introduction to Practice and Principles by Rolf G Kuehni
• Review by J. R. Steinberg of: Pyrotechnic Chemistry by Journal of Pyrotechnics
• Review by Bernard E. Douda of: Pyrotechnic Chemistry by Journal of Pyrotechnics
• Review by Tony Cardell of: Pyrotechnic Chemistry by Journal of Pyrotechnics

Issue 20, Winter 2004:

• Simple Core Design for Neutral Burn Composite Rocket Motors
• Strobe Chemistry
• Maximizing the Number of Electric Matches That Can Be Fired in a Single Circuit
• Sparking Compositions for Garden Fireworks
• Principles of Solid Rocket Motor Design
• A Practical Performance Testing Protocol for Fireworks Mortar Tubes
• Fireworks Shells Subjected To a Modified Height-To-Detonation Test

Communications:

• A Simplified Method for Determining the Strength of a Tube Subjected to Internal Pressure by L. Weinman
• Review by John Steinberg of: Amateur Rocket Motor Construction David Sleeter
• Review by K. Koenig of: Rocket Propulsion Elements, Seventh Edition by George P. Sutton, Oscar Biblarz

Issue 19, Summer 2004:

• Metal Monochloride Emitters in Pyrotechnic Flames - Ions or Neutrals?
• Experimenting with High Explosive Fuel Explosions for Movies and Television
• Industrial Scale Nano-Aluminum Powder Manufacturing
• Essential Molecular Orbital Theory for the Study of Pyrotechnics
• Guanidinium Azo-Tetrazolate (GAT) as a High Performance Hybrid Rocket Fuel Additive
• A Report on the Fireworks Accident at Carmel, Western Australia
• Illuminants and Illuminant Research
• Bandwidth in Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) Testing
• A Brief Description of the Construction and Function of Common Electric Matches

Communications:

• Comment from Ron Lancaster on "Review of Pyrotechnics" that appeared in Issue 18
• Review by K. Kosanke of: Ignition Handbook by Vytenis Babrauskas

Issue 18, Winter 2003:

• Color Values and Spectra of the Principal Emitters in Colored Flames
• Thermal Characterization of Smoke Composition
• Control Systems for the Storage of Explosives, Including Fireworks
• Studies of the Thermal Stability and Sensitiveness of Sulfur/Chlorate Mixtures — Part 5: Application of Self-Heating Theory to the Prediction of Ignition Temperatures
• Assessing the Risks — Suggestions for a Consistent Semi-Quantified Approach

Communications:

• Particle Size Effect in Pyrotechnic Compositions Containing Potassium Chlorate
• Review by B. E. Douda of: Pyrotechnics by A. P. Hardt
• Review by S. D. Poehlein & S. K. Wilharm of: Pyrotechnics by A. P. Hardt
• Review by B. Sturman of: Pyrotechnics by A. P. Hardt
• Review by J. Bergman of: Black Powder Manufacturing, Testing, and Optimizing by Ian von Maltitz

Issue Number 17, Summer 2003:

• Color Purity Measurements of Traditional Pyrotechnic Star Formulas
• A Study of the Combustion Behaviour of Pyrotechnic Whistle Devices (Acoustic and Chemical
• Reasons for Fuse Failure and Drift Distance of Spherical Fireworks Shells
• Some Properties of Explosion Generated Toroids
• Feasibility Study on the Use of Nanoscale Thermites for Lead-Free Electric Matches

Communications:

• A Curious Observation during the Burning of Bulk Whistle Composition  by  L. Weinman
• Review by S. Miller of: Proximate Special Effects Familiarization and Safety by J. L. Mattingly, D. A. Opperman and F. Pinkerton
• Review by B. Douda of: Pyrotechnics by A. P. Hardt
• Review by S. K. Poehlein and C.K. Wilharm of: Pyrotechnics by A. P. Hardt

Issue Number 16, Winter 2002:

• Evaluation of the Hazards Posed by High Energy Bangers Part 2. Damage to Hand Simulants
• Thermodynamic Modeling of High-Temperature Systems
• Test Burn of a Temporary Fireworks Stand
• Accidents and their Role in Aiding the Management of Health and Safety in Pyrotechnics Manufacture
• Thermodynamics of Black Powder and Aerodynamics of Propelled Aerial Shells
• Effect of Ultrasound on Single-Base Propellants for Pyrotechnic Purposes
• The Effects of External Fire on Fireworks Stored in Steel ISO Transport Containers
• Application of Hydroxyl (OH) Radical Ultraviolet Absorption Spectroscopy to Rocket Plumes

Communications:

• Reprint of: Grass TreeGum—(Australian Dragon’s Blood) Dr.McCrea / John Kruse
• Review of Propellants and Explosives: Thermochemical Aspects of Combustion Naminosuke Kubota
• Review of: Explosives Rudolf Meyer, Josef Köhler, and Axel Homburg

Issue Number 15, Summer 2002:

• Evaluation of the Hazards Posed by High Energy Bangers
  Part 1. Noise, Overpressure and TNT Equivalence
• Special Materials in Pyrotechnics Part II — Application of Cæsium and Rubidium Compounds in Pyrotechnics
• An Introduction to Chemical Thermodynamics Part 3.  Free Energy and Equilibrium
• Studies of Electric Match Sensitiveness
• Multi-Wavelength Laser Opacity Study of a Hybrid Rocket Plume

Communications:

• A Note on the Design of Experiments
• Pollutant Emissions from Power Plants
• Reprint of: Chapter III — Accroides
• Review of The Chemistry and Characteristics of Explosive Materials by James R. Cook, PhD
• Review of Head and Eye Protection: A Guide for Those Who Manufacture, Test, or Use Explosives by Confederation of British Industry
• Review of Protection against Substances Hazardous to Health by Confederation of British Industry

Issue Number 14, Winter 2001:

• Hazards Associated with the Storage of Fireworks
• Thermal Techniques Used in the Hazard Evaluation of Pyrotechnics
• Our Present Knowledge of the Chemistry of Black Powder
• A Brief Introduction to Noise and Data Filtering
• Applying Explosives Testing Techniques To Obtain Insight into the Explosion (Or Is It Detonation?) Phenomenon of Piles of Fireworks
• A Ground Test Rocket Thrust Measurement System
• Hypotheses Regarding "Star-Shell Detonations"

Communications:

• Speculation on the Explosive Decomposition of "Yellow Powder"
• Bridgewire Temperature Estimation Using a Constant Current Supply
• An Observation Regarding: "Fireworks Shell Drift due to Shell-to-Bore Clearance"
• Review of The Big Bang: A History of Explosives by George I. Brown
• Review of Incendiary Art: The Representation of Fireworks in Early Modern Europe by Kevin Salatino

Issue Number 13, Summer 2001:

• Evaluation of Lithium Compounds as Color Agents for Pyrotechnic Flames
• Pyrotechnic Delays and Thermal Sources
• Fireworks Shell Drift due to Shell-to-Bore Clearance
• Pressure, Plume Flicker, and Acoustic Data Correlation in Labscale Hybrid Rockets
• Pyrotechnic Reaction Residue Particle Identification by SEM / EDS
• Commercial Developments in Red Phosphorus Performance and Stability for Pyrotechnics

Communications:

• Brief Survey of Chromium Toxicity

Issue Number 12, Winter 2000:

• Speculation on the Effects of Gunshot or Explosive Residues on Historic Silk Flags
• Pyrotechnic Particle Morphology—Low Melting Point Oxidizers
• A Survey of Analytical Tools for Explosion Investigations
• An Introduction to Chemical Thermodynamics Part 2—Entropy, Molecular Disorder, and the Second and Third Laws
• Studies of the Thermal Stability and Sensitiveness of Sulfur/Chlorate Mixtures Part 4. Firework Compositions and Investigation of the Sulfur/Chlorate Initiation Reaction
• Practical Applications of Capillary Extrusion Rheometry to Problems in the Processing of Energetic Materials
• Fixed and Scanning Infrared Radiometers for Combustion Studies

  Communications:

• Comment on: “Shell Altitude vs. Mortar Length” by R. Dixon
• Review of Experimental Composite Propellant An Introduction to Properties and Preparation of Composite Propellant Design, Construction, Testing and Characteristics of Small Rocket Motors by Terry W. McCreary
• Review of The Chemistry of Fireworks by Michael S. Russell
• Review of The Chemistry of Fireworks by Michael S. Russell

Issue Number 11, Summer 2000:

• A Labscale Hybrid Rocket Motor for Instrumentation Studies
• Chemical Analysis of Consumer Fireworks
• Propellant Chemistry
• Studies of the Thermal Stability and Sensitiveness of Sulfur/Chlorate Mixtures Part 3. The Effects of Stoichiometry, Particle Size and Added Materials
• Pyrotechnic Particle Morphologies — Metal Fuels
• Forensic Testimony: “Matches”, An Over-Inference of Data? A Giglio Obligation?
• Study on Various Polyesters as Binders for Pyrotechnic Composition

Communications:

• Shell Altitude vs. Mortar Length by R. Dixon
• The Effect of Sample Containers on the Ignition Temperature of Sulfur/Chlorate Mixtures by D. Chapman

Issue Number 10, Winter 1999:

• Burst Process of Spherical Aerial Shells
• Six Methods for Estimating the Formation Enthalpy of Organic Compounds
• High-Nitrogen Fuels for Low-Smoke Pyrotechnics
• Measurement of the Effectiveness of Various Mitigation Methods at Reducing the Projectile Hazards from Fragmenting Steel Firework Mortar Tubes
• Combustion of Ti/C Pyrolants
• Effect of Differing Charcoal Types Upon Handmade Lift Powder

Issue Number 9, Summer 1999:

• Organic Fuels: Composition and Formation Enthalpy-Part II - Resins, Charcoal, Pitch, Gilsonite, and Waxes
• The Hazards Posed by Fragments from Rupturing Steel Fireworks Mortar Tubes - Predictions from a Computer Model
• An Introduction to Chemical Thermodynamics Part 1 - Matter, Energy and the First Law
• Performance Study of Civil War Vintage Black Powder
• The Rare Earths As Possible Flame Color Agents
• Studies on Low Smoke Photoflash Compositions
  

Communications:

• Review: Cooper & Kurowski’s Introduction to the Technology of Explosives
• Review: Butterworth’s Theatre of Fire
• Review: Fire Protective Clothing: A Guide for Those Who Manufacture or Store Pyrotechnics or Propellants

Issue Number 8, Winter 1998:

• Organic Fuels: Composition and Formation Enthalpy-Part I- Wood Derivatives, Related Carbohydrates, Exudates, and Rosin
• Composite Color Stars
• Silicone II: A New Fuel and Binder for Fireworks
• Determination of the Velocity of Fragments Produced from Exploding Firework Maroon Shells
• Glitter Chemistry

Issue Number 7, Summer 1998:

• The Production of Music with Pyrotechnic Whistles
• High-Nitrogen Pyrotechnic Compositions
• An Oxygen-Exchange Approach to Pyrotechnic Formulations
• Artificial Meteor Fireworks
• Studies on the Use of Epoxy Resin Binder in Small Rockets
• Development of a Video Spectrometer
• Studies of the Thermal Stability and Sensitiveness of Sulfur/Chlorate Mixtures Part 2. Stoichiometric Mixes
• Novel Powder Fuel for Firework Display Rocket Motors

Issue Number 6, Winter 1997:

• Thermal Hazards from the Accidental Ignition of Pyrotechnic Compositions
• Methods for Calculation of Thrust Coefficients
• Pyrotechnic Ignition and Propagation: A Review
• Studies of the Thermal Stability and Sensitiveness of Sulfur/Chlorate Mixtures Part 1. Introduction
• Hydrazinium Nitroformate: A High Performance Next Generation Oxidizer
• A Thermodynamic Properties Estimation Method for Isocyanates
• A Severe Human ESD Model for Safety and High Reliability System Qualification Testing

Issue Number 5, Summer 1997:

• Model Rocket Engines, Theory and Design
• Flow Agents in Pyrotechnics
• Hazard Analysis for the Manufacture of a Non-UN Gas Generant
• Techniques for the Quantitative Analysis of Sulphur and Chlorate in Fireworks Compositions
• A Survey of Concussion Powders
• The Nitrous Oxide Hybrid Rocket Motor

Issue Number 4, Winter 1996:

• SEM Studies on a Strobe Star Composition
• Flash Powder Output Testing: Weak Confinement
• Evaluation of Fire and Explosion Hazards for a Non-Azide Gas Generant
• Progress in Developing a Fuel-Air Salute
• Pyrotechnic Whistles

Issue Number 3, Summer 1996:

• Electric Spark Sensitivities of Reductive Element---Oxidizer Mixtures
• Health Effects from Theatrical Pyrotechnics
• Observations on the Perceived Burst Size of Spherical Aerial Shells
• Aerial Shell Drift Effects: (A) The Effect of Long Mortars (B) The Effect of Pill-Shaped Shells
• Ammonium Perchlorate Composite Basics

Issue Number 2, Winter 1995:

• The Semiconductor Bridge (SCB) Igniter
• Modern Rack and Mortar Designs for Professional Fireworks Displays
• Introductory Chemistry for Pyrotechnists, Part 2: The Effects of Electrons
• Hazardous Chemical Combinations
• Bullet Impact Sensitivity Testing of Class B Fwks. Ingredients & Detonability Testing of Flash Powders

Issue 1, Summer 1995:

• Observations on the Heights Attained by Spherical Fireworks Shells
• Observations on the Behaviour of Seamed Steel Mortar Tubes
• An Introduction to PROPEP, A Propellant Evaluation Program for Personal Computers
• Introductory Chemistry for Pyrotechnists, Part 1: Atoms, Molecules, and Their Interactions
• Concussion Mortar Internal Pressure, Recoil and Overpressure as Functions of Powder Mass
• Prediction of Flame Temperatures, Part 1: Low Temperature Reactions
  

Please send comments and suggested corrections to:
B. Kosanke, Publisher, Journal of Pyrotechnics, Inc.
1775 Blair Road Whitewater, CO 81527 USA
Phone/FAX +970-245-0692

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Last updated 15-Dec-2006