Thermal analysis, analysis of combustion residue and combustion characteristics measure ment such as burning rate or temperature were carried out to clarify the combustion mechanism of a tungsten- potassium perchlorate-barium chromate chromate delay powder. The results obtained are as follows. The main reaction of the delay powder of tungsten-potassium perchlorate-barium chromate is the oxidation of tungsten by potassium perchlorate. Barium chromate acts as a burning rate modifier, and the smaller the larger is the burning rate. Three types of delay composition used in this study show characteristic burning behavior. A stoichiomertric or a oxidizer-rich composition has a small linear burning rate. although it is has a large heat of combustion. On the other hand, a tungsten-excess or a fuel-rich composition with a small heat of combustion has a larger linear burning rate than the former, showing a small fractional oxidation of tungeten (below 10%) contained in the delay powder. From these results, a surface combustion mechanism is proposed for the combustion mechanism of this delay powder.