| Summary: | Miniature flares containing magnesium/sodium nitrate compounded with different binders were studied for increasing luminosity and luminous efficiency in various fuel oxidizer ratio and flare diameters. Unsaturated polyester, Bisphenol-A epoxy resin, calcium resinate, and nitrocellulose were used as binders for construction the flares. Experimental results showed that luminous efficiency was higher for polyester based flares. Due to the difference in decomposition progress of various binders and the exothermic reaction between binder and oxidizer the luminous efficiency of the mixtures were 31000, 28900, 27800 and 25100 cd respectively for polyester, epoxy, calcium resinate, and nitrocellulose. It was found that nitrocellulose as an energetic binder produces the highest light intensity in comparison to other binders, but the burning rate is higher and the burning time is lower than the other binders. Thermal analysis of four binders showed that the heat of reactions was directly related to the amount of light output and luminosity. Keywords: Miniature flare, Illuminating compositions, Luminous efficiency, Binder
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