7 replies to this topic

[David]

Just as the title says- a discussion about the different terms.

What would you say the difference is?

Or are they just two words for the same thing?

The dictionary defines pyrotechnics as "Manufacture of Fireworks."

I would think that it meant a bit more than that, including the firing/display of fireworks, and really just a synonym for fireworks in general.

Discuss!

Edited by David, 05 April 2008 - 12:10 PM.

[Arthur Brown]

Well there is the semantic difference based on the origin of the words. But more interestingly for us is the regulatory difference. It's all to do with the positioning of an article on the market, the intended market, and the purpose of the device. It's also to do with the intended user, skill set and training.

[zookeeper]

In the States, indoor products and proximate effects are never referred to as "fireworks", they are always called "pyrotechnics".

[michaelli66]

Just as the title says- a discussion about the different terms.

What would you say the difference is?

Or are they just two words for the same thing?

The dictionary defines pyrotechnics as "Manufacture of Fireworks."

I would think that it meant a bit more than that, including the firing/display of fireworks, and really just a synonym for fireworks in general.

Discuss!

got it ,thanks so much.

[pudi.dk]

I'd say fireworks is a subgroup of pyrotechnics.
http://en.wikipedia....iki/Pyrotechnic

[SoonToBePyro]

I agree. There's demolition, movie and special F/X, and the everpresent fireworks. And probably more I don't know of. I think pyrotechnics could be described as any of these

Edited by SoonToBePyro, 14 April 2008 - 10:31 PM.

[Frozentech]

I would say... Pyrotechnics = use of chemical reactions to perform work by the effect of heat, gas generation, light generation, or sound generation. Very wide ranging, and includes pyrotechnic gas generators (automobile air bags), pyrotechnic actuators such as the "explosive bolts" used on space launch vehicles, military pyrotechnics ( tracers, flares, smokes ), as well as fireworks.

Fireworks would be a subset of pyrotechnics, where light, sound, and smoke are created for artistic purposes.

[Richard H]

As others point out, fireworks are a division of pyrotechnics. While they are generally synonymous with the term and a great deal of publications and journals focus on fireworks, there are many other fields of research and practical application. Anything from actuators and gas generators in seatbelt tensioners and air bags, right through to ejector seats, missile countermeasures / decoys, distress signals, screening applications and even fire extinguisher systems.

Alexander P Hardt's Pyrotechnics gives a very good overview of the subject as a whole.