EVALUATION OF PROCESSES OCCURRING IN PYROTECHNIC FLAMES.

Abstract

Spectroscopic studies of the radiation emitted in the visible region by pyrotechnic compositions containing magnesium and calcium as fuels were made. The species present were identified and data on the dominant wavelength and purity of the radiation from the flames are presented. Spectroscopic techniques which were used to determine the flame temperatures did not produce useful results. The reason for the sodium continuum is discussed and it is compared to the continuum found in the radiation from high pressure mercury discharge tubes. A resume of the important papers published since about 1900 on sodium spectra is given. A bibliography of these papers is provided. The change in the intensity of the visible radiation from magnesium-sodium nitrate flares is compared with the change for calcium-calcium nitrate and magnesium-calcium nitrate as the ambient pressure is reduced. It was noted that anhydrous calcium nitrate can be mixed with calcium metal and pressed into flare candles, but the hydrated nitrate cannot be used satisfactorily. A red shift in dominant wavelength which is associated with increased magnesium content was noted and partially explained. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 15, 1967
Accession Number
AD0655820

Entities

People

  • Robert M. Blunt

Organizations

  • Denver Research Institute

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Bibliographies
  • Discharge Tubes
  • High Pressure
  • Intensity
  • Magnesium
  • Metals
  • Radiation
  • Spectra
  • Test And Evaluation

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Plasma Physics.
  • Surface Engineering/Surface Coating Technology.