How does terephthalic acid work as a smoking agent? Does it need added oxidizer? (it's always listed alone) Does it react in contact with air? How
does its efficiency compare with C2Cl6+Zn?
[Edited on 7-6-2018 by John paul III]softbeard - 8-6-2018 at 03:49
I'm not sure specifically for terephthalic acid, but usually materials like this generate a light-obscuring aerosol by first being vaporized in a
'low temperature' pyrotechnic reaction.
Usually, the pyrotechnic is something like a KClO3 / sugar mixture with NaHCO3 added. The terephthalic acid is added as a
component and vaporized when this mixture 'burns'. The terephthalic acid then re-condenses as an aerosol 'smoke'.
The point is, terephthalic-acid-smoke should be relatively innocuous to breath in concentrations that still make a good light obscurant. greenlight - 8-6-2018 at 10:39
Sofbeard is correct I am quite sure.
Terephthalic acid can be used in the mixture with potassium chlorate and lactose. Yes, it needs an oxidizer and a fuel.
In a mixture with an oxidizer and a fuel it is s vaporized and the particles form the obscuring smoke in a similar fashion to the coloured dyes used
in KClO3 compositions.
I think it is quite similar to HC smoke but without the toxicity baggage.
The HC smoke is a better obscurant due to the darker colour and ?thickness? of the smoke cloud. It is less likely moved by the wind or breeze I as
well I think because it is more dense and heavier.
Then there is always that toxicity problem raising it's head again though and the
military is always trying to phase anything out that is toxic.
That took 30 seconds...
Bert - 9-6-2018 at 02:43
I have never made this. Don't need smoke too often- But:
Quote:
This Terephthalic Acid is very fine and ready to use. Mixed with Potassium Chlorate and Lactose (or Confectioners Sugar) it produces a dense white
smoke.
KClO3 23
Lactose 16
TPA 61
Used in military smoke gernades as a replacement for HC smoke.
and the
military is always trying to phase anything out that is toxic.