US1903814A - Pyrotechnic starter composition - Google Patents

Description

l atented Apr. 18, 1933 GEORGE U. GRAFF, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRTC-T OF COLUMBIA.

PYROTECHNIC STARTER COMPOSITION No Drawing.

Application filed May 18, 1932.; Serial No. 612,149.

(GRANTED UNDER THE ACT OF MARCH 3, 1883, AS AMENDED APRIL 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) This invention relates to a composition for igniting smoke pots, smoke candles, stars, flares, and other pyrotechnic devices. It is the object of my invention to provide a com position for the purpose specified that is resistant to moisture, is substantially non-gaseous in burning and has a high heat of combustion.

With the above. and other objects in view,

the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be described more fully hereinafter.

V The compositions employed for producing lights of great intensity in stars, flares and like articles usually contain considerable percentages of powdered metal such as iron, aluminum and magnesium and various salts that require a high temperature to initiate com-' bustion. Ordinary fuses do not develop the heat required for this purpose and it is therefore necessary to employ some agent having a low kindling temperature and a high temperature of combustion that will be ignited by the fuse and will produce the relatively intense heat to cause the pyrotechnic charge to burn. This is the function of the starter composition herein disclosed.

The ingredients and their approximate relative proportions are:

gaseous in burning and develop intense heat. A further advantage is that they are much less afiected by moisture than previously known compositions used for the specified purpose and hence do not require the great care usually necessary in storing the composition either in containersor when charged in a pyrotechnic device.

While certain proportions of the ingredients have been stated it is understood that they may be varied considerably to change the rate of combustion, the heatdeveloped, etc., the limits to such proportions being those beyond which the desired reactions will not occur. Altering the relative proportion of the copper oxide is especially efficacious in controlling the quantity of heat evolved by the burning of the composition.

It will be understood that the above description comprehends only the general and preferred embodiment of my invention, and that various changes therein may be made Within the scope of the appended claims without sacrificing any of :the advantages of my invention. 7

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalty thereon.

I claim:

1. A pyrotechnic starter composition con; taining substantially 10 parts of calcium silicide, 30 parts of lead peroxide, and 25 parts of fused silicon.

2. A pyrotechnic starter composition containing substantially 10 parts of calcium silicide. 15 parts of lead peroxide, 30 parts of fused silicon, and 30 parts of copper oxide.

3. A pyrotechnic starter composition having as ingredients calcium silicide, lead peroxide, fused silicon, and copper oxide.

GEORGE U. GRAFF.