Description: A typical design consists of a sheet steel cylinder with four emission holes on top and one on the bottom (as shown below) to allow smoke release when the grenade is ignited.
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The filler consists of 250 to 350 grams of colored smoke composition (mostly potassium chlorate, lactose, and a dye) in virtually any color. White smoke grenades typically use hexachloroethane-zinc and granular aluminum. The reaction is exothermic and though they remain intact, smoke grenade casings will often remain scalding hot for some time even after the grenade is no longer emitting smoke. Although modern smoke grenades are designed not to directly emit fire or sparks, they remain a fire hazard and are capable of igniting dry vegetation or flammable substances if used carelessly.
Cause of Explosion: Yellow smoke powders are produced by mixing an oxidant (potassium chlorate), a fuel (lactose), and a dye (auramine in this case). Therefore, when the starter mixture ignites, it activates the filler which releases the smoke powder dispersed in the air as smoke, and also releasing heat.
Other Notes: There is a tamer version used for pranks called the Smoke Bomb, which are less complex and emit less smoke. It is a firework designed to produce a large amount of smoke upon ignition.
