Preparation and Evaluation of Pyrotechnic Mixture Containing Fe2O3/Zr Delay Composition

In this work, thermochemical and ignition characteristics of a pyrotechnic compound containing Zirconium and Fe2O3 (Zirconium as a metal fuel and Fe2O3 as an oxidant) was studied. The influence of the fuel to oxidant ratio on the rate and behavior of ignition of Zr-Fe2O3 pyrotechnic system was investigated. Burning rate increases with the increase fuel fraction until 60%. Therefore, the delay times of the mixtures were in the order Zr(70)-Fe2O3(30)> Zr(50)-Fe2O3(50)> Zr(60)- Fe2O3(40). On the other side, order of combustion pressures of mixtures was in opposition of mentioned order. The obtained Zr-Fe2O3 mixtures were thermally stable up to 500°C. Based on the results, the Zr-Fe2O3 composition can be used as pyrotechnic millisecond delays because of its high combustion rate and heat and acceptable thermal stability.