Microcrystalline Nitrocellulose Pyrotechnic Compositions

Abstract

A pyrotechnic composition comprising microcrystalline nitrocellulose which is characterized as an ultra low-smoke composition. The pyrotechnic composition includes at least one flame coloring agent, and may be produced with or without an optional oxidizing agent, with or without an optional metal powder, with or without an optional chlorine donor. Upon combustion, the pyrotechnic composition produces illuminating emissions having desired colors and luminosity characteristics with significantly reduced or toxic combustion products and smoke.

1 . A ultra low-smoke producing pyrotechnic composition for producing a colored flame composition comprising: 
 microcrystalline nitrocellulose fuel from about 20 to about 97 percent by weight; and    a flame coloring agent from about 1 to about 8 percent by weight.    
   
   
       2 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1  further including at least one chlorine containing compound from about 0 to about 10 percent by weight.  
   
   
       3 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1  further including at least one oxidizing agent from about 0 to about 10 percent by weight.  
   
   
       4 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 3  wherein the oxidizing agent may include one compound from the group consisting of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal nitrates, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal chlorates and alkali metal or alkaline earth metal peroxides.  
   
   
       5 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1  further including at least one metallic fuel from about 0 to about 10 percent by weight;  
   
   
       6 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1  wherein the microcrystalline nitrocellulose fuel contains from about 10% to 13.4% nitrogen content.  
   
   
       7 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1  wherein the flame coloring agent is a metal salt.  
   
   
       8 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 7  wherein the at least one metal salt includes a metal from the group consisting of sodium, barium, strontium, copper, calcium, potassium, cesium, lithium or boron.  
   
   
       9 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1  wherein the flame coloring agent may include one compound from the group consisting of metal chlorides of sodium, barium, strontium, copper, calcium, potassium, cesium and lithium.  
   
   
       10 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1  wherein the flame coloring agent may include one metal compound from the group consisting of magnesium, aluminum, magnesium/aluminum alloys, titanium and titanium alloys.  
   
   
       11 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1  wherein said microcrystalline nitrocellulose comprises 87% by weight, said flame coloring agent comprises 4% copper oxide by weight, and further including 5% potassium nitrate and 4% hexachloroethane.  
   
   
       12 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1  wherein said microcrystalline nitrocellulose comprises 80% by weight, said flame coloring agent comprises 4% strontium carbonate by weight, and further including 10% strontium nitrate, 3% magnesium metal powder, and 3% saran.  
   
   
       13 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1  wherein said microcrystalline nitrocellulose comprises 96% by weight, said flame coloring agent comprises 4% strontium chloride by weight.  
   
   
       14 . A method for processing an ultra-low smoke producing pyrotechnic composition comprising: 
 providing a dry microcrystalline nitrocellulose fuel from about 20 to about 97 percent by weight;    adding a flame coloring agent from about 1 to about 8 percent by weight;    mixing the ultra-low smoke producing pyrotechnic composition; and    compressing said mixed ultra-low smoke producing pyrotechnic composition into a selected configuration.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of utilizing said compressed configuration of said mixed ultra-low smoke producing pyrotechnic composition in the formation of at least one pyrotechnic device selected from a group consisting of flares, gerbs, fountains, lances, and stars.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of adding at least one chlorine containing compound from about 0 to about 10 percent by weight prior to said mixing step.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of adding at least one oxidizing agent from about 0 to about 10 percent by weight prior to said mixing step.