Versatile Boron Carbide-Based Energetic Time Delay Compositions

Abstract

Pyrotechnic time delay compositions composed of boron carbide, sodium periodate, and polytetrafluoroethylene have been developed for use in the U.S. Army hand-held signal. The new compositions were developed to replace the currently used composition that contains potassium perchlorate and barium chromate, chemicals that are facing increasing regulatory scrutiny. Static tests in aluminum hand-held signal delay housings demonstrated a wide range of available inverse burning rates (1.3–20.8 s/cm), which includes the 7–8.5 s/cm range required for hand-held signals. The roles of loading pressure, mixture stoichiometry, and component particle size are described herein.