Gunpowder and Pyrotechnics
Collected papers about black powder and fireworks chemistry by Tenney L. Davis, Ph.D. and James Taylor, Ph.D.
Gunpowder and Pyrotechnics
Three technical booklets (totalling 109 pages) compiled into one nice volume about the science and chemistry of black powder and pyrotechnics by Tenney L. Davis, Ph.D., and James Taylor, Ph.D.
Part One
“Gunpowder and Pyrotechnics”
James Taylor, PhD
An authoritative and accurate text, originally published in “Solid Propellent and Exothermic Compositions” (1959). Dr. Taylor was the chief propellant chemist at Nobel Research Labs of Imperial Chemical Industries (UK)
13 pages, describing the traditional methods of black powder manufacture, including both sodium nitrate (Chile saltpeter) and potassium nitrate formulations. Explains formulations for granulated, pellet, delay trains, fuse, and fireworks applications. Explains (with mathematical formulae) the effect of pressure on burning rate, thermochemistry and testing of black powder, heat of explosion and permanent gas values (from Nobel and Abel) for various gunpowders, pressure-loading density formulae, thermochemical and calorimetric qualities of various gunpowders, nature of the products of explosion, chemistry of the decomposition process, manufacture of safety fuse, and various applications for gunpowder.
Discusses the general chemistry of pyrotechnics compositions, metal ingredients for colored fire effects, formulations for Roman candles, whistling fireworks, skyrockets, and a few military pyro devices.
An excellent introduction to the theory of black powder and fireworks chemistry.
Part Two
“Black Powder”
Tenney L. Davis, PhD
Originally published in “The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives” (Vol 1, 1941). Dr. Davis taught graduate courses in powder and explosives at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) nearly every year since the first World War. In 1940 he completed the first volume of his masterwork, “The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives.” Included in Volume 1 are his extensive dissertations on the formulation and manufacture black powder and pyrotechnics. This book includes the entire “Black Powder” section from “The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives.”
Extensive historical review of the invention and development of black powder, including Greek fire, and the work of Berthold Schwarz, Boerhaave, Marcus Graecus, and Roger Bacon. Includes several black powder formulations, dating from the earliest historical records. Examines the chemistry and physical properties of modern black powder for both propellant and fireworks applications. Describes manufacture, analysis, blasting powder, ammonpulver, and other related propellant explosives.
Long regarded as one of the best, most comprehensive, and most accurate studies of black powder chemistry and history. 24 pages, illustrated.
Part 3
“Pyrotechnics”
Tenney L. Davis, PhD
Originally published in “The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives” (Vol 1, 1941). This book includes the entire “Pyrotechnics” section from “The Chemistry of Powder and of pyrotechnic mixtures
Colored lights
Railway fusees
Scratch mixture
Parade torches
Aluminum and magnesium flares
Lances
Picrate compositions
Picrate whistles
Non-picrate whistles
Rockets
Roman and meteors
Bombshells
Maroons
Toy caps
Silver torpedoes
Japanese torpedoes
Globe torpedoes
Railway torpedoes
English crackers or grasshoppers
Chinese firecrackers
Flash cracker composition
Sparklers
Wire dips and colored fire sticks
Pharaoh’s serpents
Black non-mercury snakes
SmokesProvides a comprehensive history of the development of pyrotechnic chemistry, explaining in detail the many chemicals used in these formulations. Provides descriptions of early fireworks and their compositions, all of which used very common and simple chemical ingredients.
Davis explains how the Ruggieri family brought the best skills of both France and Italy to their fireworks exhibitions, and how the discovery of potassium chlorate changed pyrotechnics forever. Discusses the sensitivity of various chlorate mixtures, covering the work of Cutbush, Meyer, Chertier, and Brock. An excellent (and authoritative) reference for the chemistry of fireworks of all kinds. Includes more than 100 detailed pyrotechnics mixtures (“formulary”), many prepared with simple chemicals. Also covers much of the fabrication methods and tooling used by the fireworks industry.
Includes an extensive discussion of formulating brilliant aluminum and magnesium flares (both for exhibition and for military purposes), with many good recipes. Complete information and formulary for various kinds of pyrotechnic whistles and whistling rockets, including those made with gallic acid (non-picrate type) mixtures.
Several pages of detailed instructions for making skyrockets (from 1/2-inch models to huge 2 3/8-inch diameter “6-pound” versions) with saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur. Includes exact dimensions, nozzle throat specs, and tooling details. Davis explains how to produce several nice effects with skyrocket payloads, including “Liquid Fire” and a “Festoon of Lights.” There’s also detailed material on how to make Roman candles, with formulae and descriptions of how it’s done commercially.
The section on Chinese firecrackers is the first detailed description of their manufacture every published in English. This part is worth the cost of the entire book!
Here you’ll find every step described in great detail, with photos and easy-to-follow instructions. We’ve followed these directions, and have produced hundreds of nice crackers at a time with common chemicals. (There’s even instruction for how to make the fine fuse, and plenty of recipes for both Chinese and American machine-made flash cracker salute composition; all use aluminum powder.)
Softbound 8.5 x 5.5\" 72 pages, illustrated.
A Sampling of Typical Illustrations
The book has drawings & illustrations similar to these
The book covers commercial manufacture of black powder and all types of fireworks
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