Rocketry Planet

LAKE JACKSON, Texas USA — David Bachelder of QuickBurst is offering an e-match igniter alternative to those who need low-current igniters without having to go through the hassle of a federal explosives permit.

Bachelder's pre-soldered e-match heads feature 50 guage nichrome bridge wires soldered to a circuit board-style chip with a 12" wire lead attached.  According to Bachelder, the "50 gauge NiChrome bridge is exactly what commercial e-match maunfacturers use. I have bench tested with the Ozark Arts Altimeter and have been able to fire them with no failures."

QuickBurst's new pre-wire, pre-soldered e-match.

The Ozark Aerospace ARTS flight computer has one of the the shortest latch times, the amount of time that the firing circuit is closed and applying firing current, known, about .25 seconds.  The ARTS outputs approximately one amp over that timeframe.  Bachelder contends, "if it will fire these heads, any avionics out today will."

These e-match alternatives have no pyrogen as shipped—the end user will need to provide their own pyrotechnic initiator dips.  Since there is no explosive compounds involved, the product is able to purchased without an explosives permit and can be shipped USPS First Class Mail without any hazardous materials classification.

Use of the product is simple: check the resistance and continuity of the e-match, apply pyrogen, allow to dry and then fly.  Bachelder states the e-match should return a 1 to 2 ohm resistance.  As shipped, the product will not ignite pyrotechnic powders without assistance from a pyrogen dip.  You can add your own pyrogen mixture or use QuickBurst's formula below:

QuickBurst's pyrotechnic primer and pyrogen formula:

• Make or purchase nitrocellulose lacquer (5% solution is recommended).
  
• To five grams of finely divided potassium chlorate (200 mesh or less);
• Add nitrocellulose lacquer to achieve syrup consistency.
• Add five grams antimony trisulfide (200 mesh or less).
• Stir gently until a smooth homogenous mixture is obtained.
  Add more nitrocellulose lacquer to maintain a syrup consistency or thin as needed with acetone.
• Coat tip of match head with primer 1/32 to 1/16”. 
• Allow to dry one hour.
  
• Prepare pyrotechnic mixture of 75% potassium chlorate and 25% charcoal (airfloat).
• Dip primed match head into pyrotechnic mixture about 1/2 way up the chip.
• Hang to dry overnight.
• Follow up with a quick dip into the nitrocellulose lacquer and hang up to dry four hours.
  
• The last dip will add a protective coating.

Website: http://www.quickburst.net