Impact sensitivity of pyrotechnics: a model based on activation energy

This paper introduces a simple and new correlation between the impact sensitivity and activation energy for pyrotechnic compositions where both the fuel and oxidizer are inorganic in nature. The database consists of various drop height (impact sensitivity) and activation energy values obtained from in-house experimentation and various literature studies. This paper also proposes a method to calculate the activation energy from the thermal properties obtained using only single-heating-rate differential scanning calorimetry experimental data. The correlation coefficient between the impact sensitivity and activation energy is found to be 0.84.