Armstrong's mixture: Difference between revisions
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'''Armstrong's mixture''' is a highly sensitive [[explosive material|primary explosive]]. Its primary ingredients are red [[phosphorus]] and strong oxidizer, such as [[potassium chlorate]] and [[potassium perchlorate]]. [[Sulfur]] is used to substitute for some or all of the phosphorus to slightly decrease sensitivity and lower costs; [[calcium carbonate]] may also be present in small proportions. Commercially, Armstrong's mixture is used in milligram quantities on the paper caps in toy [[cap gun]]s<ref name="calvert">{{cite web|url=http://www.du.edu/~jcalvert/phys/bang.htm |title=Flash! Bang! Whiz!: An introduction to propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics and fireworks |author=J. B. Calvert |accessdate=2006-11-11 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115141121/http://www.du.edu/~jcalvert/phys/bang.htm |archivedate=15 November 2006 |deadurl=no }}</ref> and in [[party popper]]s. |
'''Armstrong's mixture''' is a highly sensitive [[explosive material|primary explosive]]. Its primary ingredients are red [[phosphorus]] and strong oxidizer, such as [[potassium chlorate]] and [[potassium perchlorate]]. [[Sulfur]] is used to substitute for some or all of the phosphorus to slightly decrease sensitivity and lower costs; [[calcium carbonate]] may also be present in small proportions. Commercially, Armstrong's mixture is used in milligram quantities on the paper caps in toy [[cap gun]]s<ref name="calvert">{{cite web|url=http://www.du.edu/~jcalvert/phys/bang.htm |title=Flash! Bang! Whiz!: An introduction to propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics and fireworks |author=J. B. Calvert |accessdate=2006-11-11 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115141121/http://www.du.edu/~jcalvert/phys/bang.htm |archivedate=15 November 2006 |deadurl=no }}</ref> and in [[party popper]]s. |
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It has also been considered a suitable mixture for the primer used in [[gun]]s after [[boron carbide]] has been added, that was used during the Second World War.<ref>{{US patent reference|number=3973502|y=1976|m=08|d=10|inventor=Charles R Olsen|title=Tube primer}}</ref |
It has also been considered a suitable mixture for the primer used in [[gun]]s after [[boron carbide]] has been added, that was used during the Second World War.<ref>{{US patent reference|number=3973502|y=1976|m=08|d=10|inventor=Charles R Olsen|title=Tube primer}}</ref> |
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== Safety considerations == |
== Safety considerations == |
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Revision as of 09:41, 17 July 2017
Armstrong's mixture is a highly sensitive primary explosive. Its primary ingredients are red phosphorus and strong oxidizer, such as potassium chlorate and potassium perchlorate. Sulfur is used to substitute for some or all of the phosphorus to slightly decrease sensitivity and lower costs; calcium carbonate may also be present in small proportions. Commercially, Armstrong's mixture is used in milligram quantities on the paper caps in toy cap guns[1] and in party poppers.
It has also been considered a suitable mixture for the primer used in guns after boron carbide has been added, that was used during the Second World War.[2]
Safety considerations
Because of its sensitivity to shock, friction and flame, Armstrong's mixture is an extremely dangerous explosive. Only about 10 mg of it is used per item of consumer fireworks. Depending on composition, conditions and quantity, Armstrong's mixture can explode violently in an enclosed space.[3]
References
- ^ J. B. Calvert. "Flash! Bang! Whiz!: An introduction to propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics and fireworks". Archived from the original on 15 November 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-11.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ US patent 3973502, Charles R Olsen, "Tube primer", issued 1976-08-10
- ^ John Donner. "Impact Firecrackers" (PDF). Retrieved 2006-11-11.