A smoke grenade is a canister-type munitions device used as signaling, landing zone, and target marking device in combat. They can also be used for screening the movements of units. These smoke grenades are commonly used by the United States Army and other armed forces. Learn more about their use and how to avoid getting blown up by them. The Enola Gaye smoke grenade is an example of a civilian smoke grenade.
Species of smoke grenade
The old M18 smoke grenade was characterized by its chemical composition. It contains 80% disperse red 9 (DDA) and trace amounts of organic materials. Its vapor and particulate matter were collected, and the chemical compositions of the old smoke grenade were compared to their predecessors. In addition to DDA, the old M18 smoke grenade contained potassium chlorate and sodium bicarbonate, which were added to create the smoke.
Combustion products
To study the impact of smoke grenades on the battlefield, researchers have studied the composition of these devices. Smoke grenades typically contain sugar as fuel. Since sugar particles have a high surface area-to-volume ratio, they burn rapidly at high temperatures. The spark produced by pulling the pin ignites the sugar and releases a cloud of smoke. Fortunately, the smoke particles are very toxic to humans and other animals and can be deadly in a variety of settings.
Signaling smokes
A signaling smoke is a substance or mixture of chemicals that the military uses for a variety of purposes. The smoke is used for a variety of missions, including marking ground forces, announcing friendly intentions, and masking enemy forces from detection. The United States Armed Forces use several different colored smoke and direct fire weapon systems to communicate with ground forces and deter enemy action. However, their effectiveness in combat is debatable.
Enola Gaye smoke grenade
The Enola Gaye Smoke Grenade is the original version of a smoke bomb and was created by the same company as the famous real grenade. This device creates a huge cloud of smoke and burns in under 30 seconds. It is a great choice for creating spectacular effects and is easily portable. The twin vents on the side of the device allow the smoke grenade to be pulled to the side. It is a high-output smoke grenade and comes in eight different colors.
Colored smoke grenade
Colored smoke grenades have a built-in pull string igniter and look just like real grenades. They emit colored smoke for about 60 seconds. Available in several colors, these grenades are made to be thrown by a single soldier. Depending on the color, they can create a cloud of smoke for 50 to 90 seconds. The cloud can be seen for 0.5 to 1.5 minutes.
M18 smoke grenade
The new violet-colored M18 smoke grenade is designed to replace the older red version. The red smoke was developed to disperse vapors in a battlefield environment. The new smoke grenade’s composition consists of 80% dispersed red 9, some trace amounts of sulfur, and a mixture of magnesium carbonate and sugar as a fuel. In addition, new grenades contain magnesium carbonate as the coolant.
The legality of the M18 smoke grenade
There are a variety of smoke grenades on the market, some of which are legal for civilians to buy. However, M18 smoke grenades are considered illegal due to their combustible nature. The smoke that they produce is hazardous to the environment, and anyone inhaling its fumes can be exposed to respiratory and other health risks. The M18 grenade contains four original smoke formulations, including violet and blue.
