2. Study guide

Question 1

Pyrotechnic groups and types

Answer 1

Incendiary
Illumination 
Smoke
Signal
Delay
Tracer
Priming
Simulators
Pyromechanisms

Question 2

Definition of a Primary explosive

Answer 2

Substance or mixture used to initiate a detonation or burning reaction

Question 3

Two classes of initiators?

Answer 3

detonators

Ignitors

Question 4

Full chemical name of RDX

Answer 4

Cyclotrimethylenetrinitroluene

Question 5

What metals can be used as additives in HE?

Answer 5

Aluminium
Magnesium
Zirconium

Question 6

What are the contents and ratios for Comp B?

Answer 6

RDX 59.5%
TNT 39.5%
Wax 1%

Question 7

List the purposes of HE additives

Answer 7

Increase sensitivity
Increase blast effects
Improve stability
Improve moldability
Decrease sensitivity

Question 8

Cap compositions consist of?

Answer 8

Primary explosive
Sensitiser
Oxidiser

Question 9

Tracer - what is dark ignition?

Answer 9

The tracer should not be visible for 100m to 200m from the firer to:
Avoid dazzling the fires
Avoid giving away the position of the weapon

Question 10

What are the design requirements for Illumination?

Answer 10

Burn for the correct time

Have the correct luminosity

Withstand firing forces, ie. tracer

Question 11

What are the ideal properties of Smoke?

Answer 11

Immediate in effect

Unaffected by climate / weather ( as far as possible)

Persistent

Non anti-personnel

Non incendiary

Question 12

Purposes of Smoke

Answer 12

Tactical Screening
Signalling

Tactical smoke
- denies enemy observation
- should be produced for relatively long periods
- should remain close to the ground
Defensive
- hide troops
- screen should build up rapidly 
- without harassing our troops, nor fire risk

Question 13

Definition of propellant

Answer 13

An explosive, which by controlled burning, provides the gas pressure required to give motion to a projectile or missile

Question 14

Advantages of double-based propellant

Answer 14

Easily ignited
Higher energy rating than single-base
Higher flame temperature
Higher burning rate

Question 15

What are the additives for propellant? (8)

Answer 15

Stabilisers
Plasticisers
Coolants
Surface lubricants
Surface moderants
Flash inhibitors
De-coppering agents 
Anti-wear additives

Question 16

What are the ingredients of gunpowder and the mix ratio

Answer 16

7 parts saltpetre
5 parts sulphur
5 parts charcoal

Question 17

What does Ballistite consist of?

Answer 17

Nitroglycerine

Collodion (NC)

Camphor (wax)

Question 18

List the types of SOLID Propellants

Answer 18

Single based

Double based

Triple based

Composite

Question 19

How did they overcome the detonation issues with Picric Acid?

Answer 19

Tetryl was added as a booster

Question 20

What do triple based propellants consist of?

Answer 20

A gel of Nitrogylcerine and Nitrocellulose, with

Nitro guanidine (NQ)

Question 21

Types of Pyrotechnic Groups

Answer 21

DISIST PSP

Illuminating "compositions"
Smoke
Signal
Delay
Tracer
Incendiary
Priming
Simulators
Pyromechanisms

Question 22

What are the colour producers for illum/signals?

Answer 22

Red - Strontium Nitrate
Green - Barium nitrate
Yellow - Sodium Nitrate
Blue - Copper Carbonate
White - Barium nitrate and potassium nitrate
Orange - Calcium nitrate

Question 23

What are the characteristics of Priming Compositions? (6)

Answer 23

• Are easily ignited by flame or flash
• Do not burn too quickly or violently
• Generate a large amount of heat
• Be compatible with the mixture with which they are to be used
• Produce some solids of combustion
• Not to be unduly sensitive to impact or shock

Question 24

Types of ignitors and detonators (7)

Answer 24

Flash receptive detonators
Stab igniters & detonators
Percussion igniters
Conducting composition igniters & detonators
Hot Bridge Wire igniters & detonators
Exploding Bridge Wire detonators
Pyrotechnic igniters

Question 25

2 main types of explosive initiators

Answer 25

Detonators | Igniters

Question 26

Names for different types of High Explosives

Answer 26

``` CE TR 1 TNT RDX Picric Acid COMP B PE 4 HMX ```

Question 27

Names for Low Explosives

Answer 27

Gunpowder Propellants Pyrotechnics

Question 28

Name the Primary Explosives

Answer 28

``` Lead Azide Lead Styphnate Lead Dinitro Rescorcinate Von Herz ASA Compound Lead Azide 69%, lead styphnate 29%, aluminium powder 3% ```

Question 29

2 distinct groups for incendiary material?

Answer 29

Metals and alloys Combustible liquids

Question 30

What is the purpose of a Delay composition?

Answer 30

To provide a pyrotechnic delay between 2 igniting or explosive events

Question 31

What are the advantages of a single base propellant?

Answer 31

Cooler burning, therefore less erosive Generates less flash Ballistics less effected by changes in charge temperature

Question 32

What do Carbamites do for propellant?

Answer 32

Stabiliser and plasticiser additive

Question 33

What are the 3 types of propellant burning rates?

Answer 33

Depressive Neutral Progressive

Question 34

Types of Incendiary EO

Answer 34

``` Grenades Cannon projectiles SAA Aircraft bombs Pre-set charges ```

Question 35

3 type of propellant burning rates

Answer 35

Depressive Neutral Progressive