Pyrotechnic fastener

[1] Such bolts are often used in space applications to ensure separation between rocket stages, because they are lighter and much more reliable than mechanical latches.

[citation needed] Classical blasting caps are generally avoided for such usage.

More recent developments have used pulsed laser diodes to detonate initiators through fiber-optic cables,[3] which subsequently fire the main charge.

They are used to generate large amounts of gas, as for turbopumps, to inflate balloons, especially airbags, to eject parachutes and similar applications.

Various pyrotechnic compositions can be used, depending on the desired burn rate and required amount of energy and volume of gas produced.