Pyrotechnic Composition

a mixture used in pyrotechnic aerial bombs, missiles, and rockets. The basis of pyrotechnic compositions is a two-part mixture: (1) a powder from a metal having a high combustion heat, for example, magnesium or aluminum or their alloys, and (2) an oxidant, such as NaNO₃ or Ba(NO₃)2. Pyrotechnic compositions that contain 60–70 percent magnesium are known.

The luminous intensity of pyrotechnic compositions depends on the diameter of the flame and on the temperature and burning rate of the composition and is equal to 10⁴—10⁷ candelas; the duration of burning is from 8 sec to 8 min. Pyrotechnic compositions have formulas that are similar to the formulas of mixtures used for photoflash bombs in night aerial photography. The luminous intensity of photoflash bombs is approximately 108–109 candelas and the illumination lasts for up to 0.1 sec.