Course description
To provide an understanding of basic pyrotechnic reactions, the concept of required effects, physical properties of pyrotechnic compositions, simple examples and the associated hazards. This leads to more complex applications of pyrotechnics; provide an understanding of how pyrotechnics and pyrotechnic munitions are manufactured and work, advanced electromagnetic effects, current pyrotechnic advances and research, hands on experience of laboratory manufacture and the demonstration of the manufactured devices
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
Students must have successfully completed the Introduction to Explosives Engineering course or have relevant experience in order to take this as a Short Course for Credit.
There are no prerequisites if taken as a Standalone Short Course.
Outcome / Qualification etc.
What you will learn
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
- Describe chemical reactions which are used to produce the required pyrotechnic effect and factors which can affect these reactions;
- Undertake small scale laboratory manufacture of pyrotechnic devices and relate them to their performance;
- Explain how pyrotechnic munitions work, their advantages and problems;
- Appraise current areas of pyrotechnic research.
Training Course Content
Core content
- Differences between pyrotechnics and explosives/propellants;
- The combustion reaction; heats of reaction, rates of reaction, heat flow in reacting body;
- Required effect, heat, light, smoke, gas;
- Pyrotechnic mixtures, selection of ingredients, laboratory manufacture and hazards;
- Practical – manufacture of pyrotechnics and demonstration;
- Pyrotechnic munition design;
- Industrial production of pyrotechnics;
- Storage and ageing of pyrotechnics;
- Current topics in pyrotechnics.
Course delivery details
Course structure
One course per year; 5 days duration per course. Lectures with classroom demonstrations; brief laboratory period to prepare samples of various pyrotechnic compositions; and firing demonstration of the samples prepared by the students.
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Cranfield University
Cranfield is a specialist postgraduate university that is a global leader for education and transformational research in technology and management. We have many world-class, large-scale facilities, including our own global research airport, which offers a unique environment for transformational education...