One uses a fuze strip (containing barium chromate and powdered zirconium metal in a ceramic paper) along the edge of the heat pellets to initiate burning.
The second design uses a center hole in the battery stack into which the high-energy electrical igniter fires a mixture of hot gases and incandescent particles.
Yet another one is 45 wt.% tungsten, 40.5% barium chromate, 14.5% potassium perchlorate, and 1% vinyl alcohol acetate resin binder.
[3] Reactions producing intermetallic components, e.g. zirconium with boron, can be used when entirely gasless operation, non-hygroscopic behavior, and independence on environmental pressure are desired.
Relatively cold-burning compositions are used for production of colored smoke or for dispersion of aerosol of e.g. pesticides or CS gas, providing the heat of sublimation of the desired compound.