High-Nitrogen-Based Pyrotechnics: Development of Perchlorate-Free Green-Light Illuminants for Military and Civilian Applications

The development of perchlorate‐free hand‐held signal illuminants for the US Army’s M195 green star parachute is described. Compared with the perchlorate‐containing control, the optimized perchlorate‐free illuminants were less sensitive toward various ignition stimuli while offering comparable burn times and visible‐light outputs. The results were also important from the perspective of civilian fireworks because the development of perchlorate‐free illuminants remains an important objective of the commercial fireworks industry. It pays to be “green”: Perchlorate‐free pyrotechnic formulations with green‐light‐emitting qualities (see picture) for both military use and civilian fireworks have been developed. The formulations, which are stable to impact, friction, electrostatic discharge, and thermal conditions, afforded excellent burn times and luminous intensity values.