___ Pyrotechnics

In powdered form, Titanium and Zirconium retain to a remarkable degree their resistance to corrosion and are, in contrast to other metal powders of commerce, stable for long periods of time under normal conditions of storage. Coupled with this stability is a high degree of chemical reactivity at slightly elevated temperature. Combustion in air is rapid, and accompanied by evolution of considerable heat and light. In a mixture with an oxidizing agent (e.g. KClO4, Ba(ClO3)2) Titanium and Zirconium form a very reliable composition that ignites easily and produces high energetic output together with lots of hot particles. Such behavior makes Titanium and Zirconium powders of great use as a fuel in ammunition elements. Titanium and Zirconium are a source of heat for squibs and ignition devices for a variety of uses including automotive airbag igniters and inflators.
For some pyrotechnic applications Titanium and Zirconium are introduced by employing the hydrides TiH2 and ZrH2.
Because of its slow and reliable burning characteristics ZrNi-alloy is used as a fuel in delay compositions. The compositions containing ZrNi-alloys and an oxidizing agent react without the production of gas.