TY - JOUR
T1 - Experiments and mechanism studies on the suppression of combustion and explosion of high-risk pyrotechnics
AU - Han, Zhiyue
AU - Mu, Yu
AU - Yu, Yue
AU - Yang, Longlong
AU - Liu, Yunjin
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2026
PY - 2026/4
Y1 - 2026/4
N2 - Zirconium-based pyrotechnic Zr/Pb3O4 is widely used in military and civilian fields. However, its high mechanical sensitivity makes it prone to accidental ignition and explosion during production. In this work, the inhibitory effect of four inhibitors, NaHCO3, NH4H2PO4, Mg(OH)2, and Al(OH)3, on the ignition and detonation of Zr/Pb3O4 was investigated by utilizing a closed exploder, and the inhibitory effect of the Mg(OH)2 inhibitor was found to be the best under the same conditions by comparing key parameters—maximum pressure (ΔPmax) and maximum pressure rise rate (ΔSmax). Subsequently, the flame propagation process during the combustion of Zr/Pb3O4 was experimentally investigated by using a visual dust explosion propagation small-scale test device and a rapid flame suppression experimental device with Mg(OH)2 inhibitor. Experimental results indicate that, under identical dosage conditions, adding Mg(OH)2 as an inhibitor to the Zr/Pb3O4 reduces the combustion time by around 52.7 %, effectively blocking flame propagation when the pyrotechnic spread diameter is 9 cm and the suppressant release time is 15 ms. The primary inhibition mechanisms involve physical heat absorption for cooling, and the formation of a high-temperature-resistant protective layer by MgO (a decomposition product of Mg(OH)2) to block the flame propagation. This work can provide technical support and theoretical guidance for the safe production of the Zr/Pb3O4.
AB - Zirconium-based pyrotechnic Zr/Pb3O4 is widely used in military and civilian fields. However, its high mechanical sensitivity makes it prone to accidental ignition and explosion during production. In this work, the inhibitory effect of four inhibitors, NaHCO3, NH4H2PO4, Mg(OH)2, and Al(OH)3, on the ignition and detonation of Zr/Pb3O4 was investigated by utilizing a closed exploder, and the inhibitory effect of the Mg(OH)2 inhibitor was found to be the best under the same conditions by comparing key parameters—maximum pressure (ΔPmax) and maximum pressure rise rate (ΔSmax). Subsequently, the flame propagation process during the combustion of Zr/Pb3O4 was experimentally investigated by using a visual dust explosion propagation small-scale test device and a rapid flame suppression experimental device with Mg(OH)2 inhibitor. Experimental results indicate that, under identical dosage conditions, adding Mg(OH)2 as an inhibitor to the Zr/Pb3O4 reduces the combustion time by around 52.7 %, effectively blocking flame propagation when the pyrotechnic spread diameter is 9 cm and the suppressant release time is 15 ms. The primary inhibition mechanisms involve physical heat absorption for cooling, and the formation of a high-temperature-resistant protective layer by MgO (a decomposition product of Mg(OH)2) to block the flame propagation. This work can provide technical support and theoretical guidance for the safe production of the Zr/Pb3O4.
KW - Explosion suppression
KW - Inhibition mechanism
KW - Pyrotechnic composition
KW - Zr/PbO safety
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105027633210
U2 - 10.1016/j.jlp.2026.105923
DO - 10.1016/j.jlp.2026.105923
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105027633210
SN - 0950-4230
VL - 100
JO - Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries
JF - Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries
M1 - 105923
ER -