Salute (pyrotechnics)

In pyrotechnics a salute is a device primarily designed to make a loud report (bang), rather than have a visual effect, although most salutes will also have a very bright flash. They most commonly consist of a 70:30 mixture of potassium perchlorate and dark aluminium powder and may have titanium added for a cloud of sparks (titanium salute).[1] The salute may be fired on the ground (ground salute) or launched from a mortar as a shell (aerial salute). Due to the nature of the effect, large salutes are some of the more hazardous fireworks.

Most of the "salutes" are made with flash powder. Flash powder has a very fast burn rate, unlike black powder.

All ground salutes over 50mg and air salutes over 130mg are restricted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Child Protection Act of 1966.[2]

Examples of salutes
NameDimensionsAmt. Flash PowderNotes
Cherry bomb
  • Diameter: 1 in (2.54 cm)
  • Fuse Length: 2 in (5 cm)
 1 gram Usually round and coloured red. The core contains flash powder, a layer of sawdust, and a coating of sodium silicate.
Silver Salutes
  • Length: 1​1⁄2 in (3.8 cm)
  • O.D.: 9/16–5/8 (1.4–1.6 cm)
 1​1⁄2 grams Essentially the same as a M-80, except the tube is coloured silver and there is less flash powder.
M-80
  • Length: 1​1⁄2 in (3.8 cm)
  • O.D.†: 9/16–5/8 (1.4–1.6 cm)
 2​1⁄2–3 grams Usually consists of a red tube and a green Visco fuse. Current firecrackers sold under the name "M-80" are in fact much less powerful (50mg or less).
Super M-80
  • Length: 1​3⁄4 in (4.4 cm)
  • I.D.‡: ​3⁄4 in (1.9 cm)
  • O.D.: 1 in (2.54 cm)
 6 grams
M-100
  • Length: 2 in (5 cm)
  • I.D.: ​3⁄4 in (1.9 cm)
  • O.D.: 1 in (2.54 cm)
 7 grams Referred to as "M-100" on the US East Coast, "Block Busters" on the West Coast
Quarter Sticks
  • Length: 3​1⁄2 in (8.9 cm)
  • I.D.: ​3⁄4 in (1.9 cm)
  • O.D.: 1 in (2.54 cm)
 15 grams These are not to be confused with quarter sticks of dynamite.
Barrel Bombs
  • Length: 4 in (10.2 cm)
  • I.D.: 1 in (2.54 cm)
  • O.D.: 1​1⁄4 in (3.2 cm)
 ?? They are sometimes 4​1⁄2 in (11.4 cm) long, 13/16 in (3 cm) I.D. and 17/16 in (3.7 cm) O.D. They are generally black.
Half sticks
  • Length: 6 in (15.2 cm)
  • I.D.: ​3⁄4 in (1.9 cm)
  • O.D.: 1 in (2.54 cm)
 25 grams These are not to be confused with half sticks of dynamite.
M-1000s
  • Length: 6 in (15.2 cm)
  • I.D.: 1​1⁄4 in (3.2 cm)
  • O.D.: 17/16 in (3.7 cm)
 50-100 grams These are not to be confused with M-100s above.

† O.D. = Outer diameter
‡ I.D. = Inner diameter

References

  1. Kosanke, Kenneth L.; Kosanke, Bonnie J. (1999). Selected Pyrotechnic Publications of K. L. and B. J. Kosanke, Part 4: 1995 Through 1997 (illustrated ed.). Journal of Pyrotechnics. p. 83. ISBN 9781889526126. Extract of page 83
  2. T. Davis, The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives, Angriff Press, 1972. ISBN 0-913022-00-4
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