Igniter for exothermic torch rod

An igniter comprising:

• a housing having a first end and a second end, said housing bored continuously there through to define, in succession, a first bore region that begins at said first end, a second bore region having a smaller diameter than said first bore region, a third bore region having a smaller diameter than said second bore region, and a fourth bore region having a larger diameter than said third bore region and that terminates at said second end, said housing further having an exterior region adapted to facilitate coupling to an exothermic torch rod;
• a firing pin slidingly fit in said first bore region and extending from said first end of said housing, said firing pin terminating in a tip that protrudes into said second bore region when said firing pin is fully seated in said first bore region;
• a percussion primer press-fit in said second bore region;
• an aluminum cup having an open end and a closed end, said cup fitted substantially in and sealed to said fourth bore region with said closed end substantially coincident with said second end of said housing, said closed end being structurally weakened at a portion thereof;
• and
• a slug of pressed pyrotechnic material fitted in said cup, said slug having a bore formed continuously there through and substantially centrally aligned with said third bore region, said pressed pyrotechnic material converting at least partially to molten metallic reaction products upon ignition.

An igniter comprising:

• a housing having a first end and a second end, said housing bored continuously there through to define, in succession, a first bore region that begins at said first end, a second bore region having a smaller diameter than said first bore region, a third bore region having a smaller diameter than said second bore region, and a fourth bore region having a larger diameter than said third bore region and that terminates at said second end, said housing further defining a plurality of open annular channels on an exterior thereof;
• a firing pin slidingly and sealingly fit in said first bore region and extending from said first end of said housing, said firing pin terminating in a tip that protrudes into said second bore region when said firing pin is fully seated in said first bore region;
• a percussion primer press-fit in said second bore region;
• an aluminum cup having an open end and a closed end, said cup fitted substantially in and sealed to said fourth bore region with said closed end substantially coincident with said second end of said housing, said closed end being structurally weakened at a portion thereof;
• and
• a slug of pressed pyrotechnic material fitted in said cup, said slug having a diverging-diameter bore formed continuously there through and substantially centrally aligned with said third bore region, said pressed pyrotechnic material comprising approximately 48.0 weight percent iron oxide, approximately 31.3 weight percent titanium, approximately 17.6 weight percent zirconium, and approximately 2.9 weight percent of a binder.