ABSTRACT

Aerial shells -a sample of pyrotechnics- are produced for recreational purposes. Due to the materials used in construction and design, they have some potential risks. Besides, there is a risk of utilization of shells as a simple weapon system and utilization of energetic ingredients in home-made bombs. Occasionally some news has been seen about wounding and deaths related to aerial shells. With this perspective, our study aimed to research wounding potential of shells.

Four experiments were held including the physical examination of locally produced batteries, observation of battery functioning, expelling and detonation of shells, as well as speed and blast pressure measurement by utilizing a fast camera and pressure sensors. In physical examinations it is identified that, batteries are constructed in form of a cylindrical-cardboard-made barrels packed together, fired with short time intervals with a time fuse attached to barrels. Shells are configured with some powder/solid form of pyrotechnic mixtures added with little amount of earth and grains.

Upon expelling of shells, intensive white-color smoke is observed and 40,2 cm length (SD:7.21) flame eruption is measured. In 0.5 m distance from barrels, the speed of the 28g-weight-shells (SD:3.8) is calculated as 52,61 m/s (SD:6.92). Approximately 144,42cm (SD:36.61) diameter flame ball and fragmentations were identified and 89,09 kPa (SD: 16,62) detonation pressure value is calculated.

Considering all these findings, due to the pyrotechnic mixtures in their designs, their speed, flame eruption from barrels, fireball formation and fragmentation effects, it is evaluated that aerial shells have potential wounding risk.

Keywords: Pyrotechnics, Aerial Shells, Wounding