Starch-Based Pyrotechnic Composite Exhibits Optimal Fire Performance in Study

Traditional pyrotechnic composites are frequently synthesized with epoxy or other synthetic binders, which can combust at extreme temperatures reaching up to 2100 °C during activation. These intense thermal operating conditions create substantial hazards of secondary fires and accidental explosions in practical suppression scenarios. To counter these operational risks, the investigation examined how cost-effective, renewable bio-polymers influence combustion behavior, exothermicity, and fire suppression performance.

The research team tested four distinct renewable bio-polymeric binding materials: starch, guar gum, tannic acid, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Each bio-based polymer was incorporated into the KNO3/KClO4–3,5 DNB pyrotechnic matrix to evaluate its specific effects on combustion behavior, exothermicity, temperature profiles, and fire-extinguishing efficiency.

Fire suppression capability and burning dynamics were tested experimentally against an active 4.57 kW n-heptane liquid pool fire. Among the tested formulations, the composite designated as PC-1 recorded a linear burning rate of 10.05 ± 2.158 mm/s and extinguished the 4.57 kW n-heptane fire within 5 seconds. This formulation also registered the highest ignition temperature observed in the study at 210 °C. By comparison, formulations designated as PC-4 and PC-5 demonstrated noticeable decreases in their ignition temperatures alongside slight differences in burning rates. Formulation PC-4 exhibited a linear burning rate of 9.3 ± 0.742 mm/s, an ignition temperature of 184 °C, and suppressed the pool fire within 7 seconds. Formulation PC-5 achieved a linear burning rate of 9.7 ± 0.693 mm/s, an ignition temperature of 182 °C, and successfully extinguished the flames within 5 seconds.

The researchers concluded that the starch-based pyrotechnic composite exhibited optimal overall fire performance parameters among the tested materials.

Subject of Research: Bio-polymeric binders in pyrotechnic composites for fire suppression

Article Title: Role of bio-polymeric binders on combustion and fire suppression performance of KNO3/KClO4–3,5 DNB pyrotechnic composite

Article References: Kumar, R., Niringiyimana, E., Gautam, N., Rathee, P., & Rana, K. (2026). Role of bio-polymeric binders on combustion and fire suppression performance of KNO3/KClO4–3,5 DNB pyrotechnic composite. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-78585-0

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-78585-0

Keywords: pyrotechnic composites, fire suppression, bio-polymeric binders, starch binder, guar gum, tannic acid, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, potassium nitrate, potassium perchlorate, 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid, n-heptane pool fire, linear burning rate, ignition temperature, aerosol particulates, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction