Characterization of the pyrotechnic redoxsystem silicon / cesium nitrate

Oxidizers based on cesium salts show a particular feature. During the pyrotechnic redox reaction they emit infrared radiation. To investigate the background of this phenomena and to get more data concerning the performance of pyrotechnic systems containing cesium oxidizers, compositions with a positive and a negative oxygen balance as well as the composition with a balanced oxygen balance of the redox system silicon / cesium nitrate were produced and the performance and safety data of these compositions was determined. Additionally the heat of reaction, the reaction temperature and the reaction products were calculated using the ICT Thermodynamic Code and the EKVI Code. The results were compared with measured data. It was found that the reaction products as well as the ignitability depend of the surrounding pressure.