Pyrotechnics and matches
Detailed description
Potassium chlorate is a very common oxidiser in pyrotechnics. The large scale production of this compound made the first quality colored fireworks possible, about a century ago. Potassium chlorate is a stronger oxidiser than potassium perchlorate. Similarly, the head of "strike anywhere" matches contain an oxidizing agent such as potassium chlorate together with tetraphosphorus trisulfide, P4S3, glass and binder. The phosphorus sulfide is easily ignited, the potassium chlorate decomposes to give oxygen, which in turn causes the phosphorus sulfide to burn more vigorously.
Functions
Applications
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