Pyrotechnic compositions combine an oxidizer and a fuel and are employed in devices such as delay elements, flares, tracers, igniters, impulse cartridges, and primers.

Because they include their own oxidizer, these mixtures do not depend on atmospheric oxygen to sustain combustion.

Particle form may be granular or flaky; generally, increased particle surface area corresponds to faster reaction and burn rates. Binders are sometimes incorporated to consolidate the powder into a solid charge.