The widespread use of pyrotechnic compositions in time delay detonators is the reason for research aimed at expanding knowledge of the combustion properties of new pyrotechnic mixtures, whose components react with each other in the solid or liquid state. Such a method of combustion would make the rate of combustion independent of the pressure inside the detonator. This paper presents the effect of the parameters of W/CuO mixtures on their properties of combustion. As this composition has not been the subject of previous research and is not described in the literature, the basic parameters, such as the burning rate and the heat of combustion, were determined. In order to determine the reaction mechanism, a thermal analysis was performed, and the combustion products were determined using the XRD technique. Depending on the quantitative composition and density of the mixture, the burning rates were between 4.1–6.0 mm/s and the heat of combustion in the range of 475–835 J/g was measured. The gas-free combustion mode of the chosen mixture was proved using DTA and XRD. Determination of the qualitative composition of the combustion products and the heat of combustion allowed estimation of the adiabatic combustion temperature.

This study investigates the combustion characteristics of silicon-based time-delay compositions with bismuth(III) oxide (Bi₂O₃), antimony(III) oxide (Sb₂O₃), and lead(II,IV) oxide (Pb₃O₄) to identify formulations with pressure-independent burn rates. Unlike conventional pyrotechnic compositions, silicon-based mixtures offer an improved energy density and reduced sensitivity to pressure variations. The linear combustion rate of the compositions was determined for a wide range of silicon contents and for different compaction pressures. Experimental results show that burn rates range from 8 mm s⁻¹ to 195 mm s⁻¹, depending on the metal oxide type and silicon content. The highest rate (195 mm s⁻¹) was observed for Si/Pb₃O₄ at 30 wt.% silicon, while Si/Sb₂O₃ had the lowest (10 ÷ 35 mm s⁻¹). The calorimetric heat of combustion varied between 1200 J g⁻¹ and 1400 J g⁻¹, with adiabatic combustion temperatures reaching 2200 K, calculated from this heat. DTA and XRD confirmed the condensed-phase combustion, forming reduced metal phases and silicon oxides. SEM and EDS revealed a porous residue structure. This work introduces a novel approach to time-delay compositions using silicon as a primary fuel. It shows that specific silicon oxide–metal systems maintain stable combustion for different loading pressures and advance pyrotechnic formulations for safer and more efficient industrial and defense applications.

Antimony and potassium manganate(VII) compositions are widely used in time delay elements of detonators. Despite the existing literature on such systems, there is no complete information on the burning process of Sb/KMnO₄ compositions in closed systems. There are also no data on the heat of their combustion in conditions of increased pressure without the access of oxygen from the air and on the composition of solid combustion products. These issues are the subject of the presented work.

The simplest ligand that can be present in energetic complex compounds is ammonia. It has a lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom that can form a coordinate bond with the metal cation. An example of such a compound is tetraamminecopper(II) nitrate (TACN). TACN is considered in the literature as an energy material with potential use in ammunition and civil applications. In the work, the physicochemical properties and detonation performance of TACN were investigated. The compound was identified using differential thermal analysis coupled with thermogravimetry (DTA/TG) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The sensitivity of TACN to mechanical stimuli (friction and impact) was determined. The thermal stability was tested. The critical diameter of the charge with bulk density and the ability to detonation for charges of different densities initiated by an electric detonator were determined. The velocity of detonation was also measured for various diameters and densities of charges and the method of their initiation. The cylinder expansion tests were performed for TACN charges of various densities, and the acceleration ability, detonation pressure and energy as well as the equation of state of detonation products were determined. The calorimetric heats of combustion and detonation were also measured.