Combustion studies of several binary pyrotechnic systems using iron powder as fuel and one of the oxidants, BaO2, SrO2 or KMnO4, are reported. Temperature profiles were recorded together with simultaneous measurement of burning rates. Burning rates varied with chemical system, with composition and with degree of compaction, and ranged from 2.3 to 39 mm s(-1) (Fe/BaO2), 3.3 to 8.3 mm s(-1) (Fe/SrO2), and 2.2 to 93 mm s(-1) (Fe/KMnO4). Combustion products were examined using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy. Approximate kinetic parameters for the combustion reactions of the Fe/peroxide and Fe/permanganate systems were determined using the Leeds approach.