Carbohydrates
The carbohydrate family consists of a large number of naturally - occurring oxygen-rich organic compounds. The simplest carbohydrates - or "sugars" - have molecular formulas fitting the pattern (C.H 2O)n , and appeared to early chemists to be "hydrated carbon." The more complex members of the family de- viate from this pattern slightly.
Examples of common sugars include glucose (C 6H120 ) , lactose (C12H22011) , and sucrose (C12H22011) . Starch is a complex polymer composed of glucose units linked together. The molecular formula of starch is similar to (C6H1005)n, and the molecular weight of starch is typically greater than one million. Reaction with acid breaks starch down into smaller units. Dextrine, a widely-used pyrotechnic fuel and binder, is partially-hydrolyzed starch. Its molecular weight, solubility, and chemical behavior may vary considerably from supplier to supplier and from batch to batch. The testing of all new shipments of dextrine is required in pyrotechnic production.
The simpler sugars are used as fuels in various pyrotechnic They tend to burn with a colorless flame and giveoff less heat per gram than less-oxidized organic fuels. Lactose is used with potassium chlorate in some colored smoke mixtures to produce a lowtemperature reaction capable of volatilizing an organic dye with minimum decomposition of the complex dye molecule. The simpler sugars can be obtained in high purity at moderate cost, making them attractive fuel choices. Toxicity problems tend to be minimal with these fuels, also.