[SML] SML Fireworks basics

[Michael Powers]

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2018 05:08:34 -0000
From: billn at peak.org
To: "Stagecraft Mailing List" <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
Subject: Re: [SML] SML Fireworks Basics
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   <c20494c05657ea0ca9a94b9983ec8201.squirrel at webmail.peak.org>
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> Dave Vick is correct. Gunpowder, whether black powder, modern smokeless or
> Pyrodex, does not explode. They just ???burn??? exceedingly fast.

Yes and no. Any over-pressurized vessel can explode, regardless of what causes
that over-pressure.

But you are correct that black powder and most versions of smokeless powder do
not detonate - although they can burn (deflagrate) very rapidly when confined.

The inventor of Pyrodex was killed in an explosion at his Pyrodex factory. I
never saw an official report on whether it was a self-confining explosion or
even a detonation.

Some fast burning smokeless powders, such as Bullseye (tm) are reported to
detonate under the right conditions.

Bill





Michael Powers
USMC '65-'69
ETCP Rigger #820 (Ret'd)
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