Red powder articles, compositions and methods

摘要

A method of producing an energetic composition comprising the steps of (a) dissolving an alkali metal hydroxide in aqueous denatured alcohol to form an alcohol and alkali metal hydroxide solution; (b) kneading phenolphthalein or other reaction product of a phenolic compound and phthalic anhydride with sulfur, potassium nitrate and said alkali metal hydroxide solution formed in step (a); (c) allowing the kneaded product formed in step (b) to dry through evaporation of the aqueous denatured alcohol; (d) granulating the dried product formed in step (c); and (e) further drying the granulated product formed in step (d). An alternate method is also disclosed in which an alkali metal salt of phenolphthalein is used so as to avoid use of the alkali metal hydroxide in the aqueous denatured alcohol. Granular products are disclosed and closed bomb test results are presented. Certain products match the performance of commercial black powder.