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Pyrotechnic; MTV; density; burn time; infra-red intensity

Infra-red decoy flares constituting of Magnesium, Teflon and Viton or MTV, is the most widely acceptable off-board counter measures among majority of the defence forces across the world. These flares are essentially pyrotechnic compositions operating in the range of 3–5lm wavelength owing to the selective emission of the combustion products (MgO, MgF₂ and oxides of carbon namely CO and CO₂). However, literature on manufacturing techniques and performance characteristics of standard configurations flare pellets developed and supplied by few firms globally is somewhat restricted. Hence, this study is an attempt to evaluate the performance of mechanically pressed 50 mm diameter cylindrical MTV pellets. While varying the process parameters viz. charge mass and applied load for pelleting, the cross-sectional area of the pellets and dwell timeof applied load have been maintained constant. With increase in applied load, elastic/brittle fracture of the particles occur which increases surface area of contacts between particles. The optimum density was achieved at 8 tons of load. Similarly, the improvement in density with increase in charge mass was observed till L/D ratio of unity was achieved. SEM images confirmed the increase in contact surfaces and reduction in size of particles owing to elastic/brittle fracture. With increase in applied load, the available surface area decreased and there wasa conspicuous increase in burn time. With increase in charge mass, the quantity of pyrotechnic mixture available for burning increased leading to increase in burn time.

SUKAMAL ADHIKARY¹ HIMANSHU SEKHAR² DINESH G THAKUR¹

1. Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune 411 025, India
2. High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune 411 021, India

Published

February 2020

Manuscript received

2 October 2018

Manuscript revised

24 November 2019

Accepted

29 November 2019

Final version published online

10 February 2020