H3 is a
pyrotechnic composition which is used mostly as a
burst charge for small diameter shells. It is friction and shock sensitive, as are most compositions containing chlorates. For this reason, H3 should be mixed using the "diaper method" and not with a ball mill. The composition consists of:
*
Potassium chlorate
Potassium chlorate is a compound containing potassium, chlorine and oxygen, with the molecular formula KClO3. In its pure form, it is a white crystalline substance. After sodium chlorate, it is the second most common chlorate in industrial use. It ...
(KClO
3) (
oxidizing agent
An oxidizing agent (also known as an oxidant, oxidizer, electron recipient, or electron acceptor) is a substance in a redox chemical reaction that gains or "Electron acceptor, accepts"/"receives" an electron from a (called the , , or ). In ot ...
) - 75%
*
Charcoal
Charcoal is a lightweight black carbon residue produced by strongly heating wood (or other animal and plant materials) in minimal oxygen to remove all water and volatile constituents. In the traditional version of this pyrolysis process, cal ...
(
fuel
A fuel is any material that can be made to react with other substances so that it releases energy as thermal energy or to be used for work. The concept was originally applied solely to those materials capable of releasing chemical energy but ...
) - 25%
*
Dextrin (
binder) - 2% (additional percent)
Due to the potassium chlorate, H3 should not be mixed with sulfur or compositions containing sulfur, as sulfur increases the sensitivity of the mixture.
External links
A pyroguide article on H3
Pyrotechnic compositions
{{Pyrotechnics-stub