Fine Grain Metal Powder Standards for Consumer Pyrotechnics Final Report

Fine mesh metal powder is commonly used in fireworks burst charges for two reasons: (1) to produce a particular sound, and (2) because a metal such as aluminum contributes to the symmetry of visual effect detonations. Metallic fuels used in a burst charge produce a different sound during detonation than a black powder-only burst charge device due to the pressure wave that a metallic fuel produces. Specifically, fireworks using metallic fuels as burst charges with metal particles below 100 mesh size have greater explosive force per volume of pyrotechnic material than fireworks using only black powder or coarser (larger than 100 mesh) metal powders. Under contract with the Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), A-P-T Research, Inc. (APT) conducted research and testing in support of PHMSA’s safety mission by studying a variety of percentages of metal powders (a.k.a. Fine Grain Metal Powders (FGMP)) in pyrotechnic compositions (specifically in burst charges) to identify the potential safety impacts on hazard classification when changing the concentration of the metal powders. The results of this effort provide test data and analysis which both the consumer and PHMSA can utilize in the decision-making process regarding hazard classification.

• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/77955
• Corporate Authors:

  A-P-T Research, Incorporated

  Huntsville, AL  United States 

  Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

  Office of Hazardous Materials Safety
  Washington, DC  United States 
• Publication Date: 2022-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: 70p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Chemical concentration; Classification; Explosives; Hazardous materials; Metals; Powders; Pyrotechnics; Safety analysis; Standards
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Materials; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01936377
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CDTS-AL003-22-00400
• Contract Numbers: 693JK320C000006
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Nov 8 2024 3:52PM