Storage Stability of Pyrotechnic Compositions Containing Vinyl Alcohol Acetate Resin

摘要

Long term storage surveillance was conducted on pyrotechnic compositions employing vinyl alcohol acetate resin (VAAR) as a binder. The storage stability of the composition after it had been exposed to ambient and high temperature (167F) storage conditions was determined. Weight losses occurred when pyrotechnic ingredients and compositions containing VAAR were conditioned at 167F; however, these weight losses were tolerable with nominal (4-6%) VAAR concentrations. Thermochemical analysis revealed that the presence of VAAR lowers the ignition and the degradation temperature of pyrotechnic ingredients and compositions. In all cases, however, these temperatures remained above any temperature likely to be encountered in actual storage. The illuminance and burning rate characteristics of typical yellow, red, and green consolidated systems containing VAAR did not show any changes as a result of a one-year surveillance period at both ambient and high (167F) temperatures. It was concluded that VAAR can be used as an alternate for Laminac as a binder in consolidated pyrotechnic compositions. (Author)