Explosives And Propellants Flashcards by Alex Davis

What is ASA (F2 det) composition made up of and what are the percentages?

Lead azide 68%
Lead styphahnate 29%
Aluminium powder 3%

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What are the two types of explosive initiators?

Detonators
Igniters

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What is the abbreviation for composition explosives?

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Propellants are classified as low explosive, name another two

Gun powder
Pyrotechnics

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What is the definition of HE?

Any explosive once initiated decomposes almost instantly to its molecular structure by the passage of a detonation wave through it, with a subsequent production of heat and gases and liberation of great energy

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What is the Definition of primary explosives/iniator?

Substance or mixture of substances used to initiate a detonation or a burning reaction

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What are the required characteristics of a primary explosive?

Stability over long periods
Optimum sensitivity to applied stimulus
Optimum output of the required kind
Compatibility with materials

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What are the primary explosive compounds?

Lead azide
Lead styphnate
Lead dinotro rescorcinate
PETN
Von hertz mixtures
ASA compounds

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What are the purposes of HE additives?

Increase sensitivity
Improve stability
Increase blast effects
Improve moldability
Decrease sensitivity
(SSBMS)

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Two categories of propellants ?

Liquid
Solid

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What are the main propellant types based on a collidal system of manufacture ?

Single, double and triple based.

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What are all service propellants based on?

Nitrocellulose.

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What is the purpose of dark ignition?

Tracers not visible by firer until projectile travelled approx 100-200m
To avoid observation of exact location
Avoid dazzling the gun layers

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what are three things that effect the burn rate of propellant?

Propellant composition
Shape of propellant
Size of propellant

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What produces the red in smoke and signals?

Strontium nitrate

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What produces the yellow in smoke and signals?

Sodium nitrate

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What produces the green in smoke and signals?

Barium nitrate

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Describe the definition of an Explosion

The violent and rapid decomposition of energetic material to produce energy (heat) and gas which will lead to violent pressure rupturing of any confining structure.

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What are the 4 pyrotechnic effects?

Heat
Light
Smoke
Sound

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Describe deflagration -

Technical term describing SUBSONIC combustion that usually propagates through thermal conductivity. (Hot burning material heats next layer of cold & ignites)

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Describe detonation -

Involves a SUPERSONIC exothermic front acceleration though a medium that drives a shock front propagating directly in front of it.

What are the requirements for propellants?

Give regular ballistics
Not produce excessive flash or smoke
Must not cause undue erosion
Must be relatively easily ignited
Must be stable for storage under worldwide conditions

What are the 6 types of fuel used in Fuel Air Explosives?

Acetylene
Butane
Ethylene Oxide
Kerosene
Propylene Oxide
Aluminium

What are the three phases of blast ?

Shock Front
Positive Phase
Negative Phase

What are the three types of explosions?

Physical Chemical Nuclear Explosion

What does guncotton consist of ?

Nitrocellulose, Nitric Acid and cotton fibres.

What does ballistite consist of?

camphor(wax), nitroglycerine, nitrocellulose.

What does cordite consist of ?

Nitroglycerine, nitrocellulose and petroleum jelly.

What are the requirements for military explosives ?

Performance Sensitivity Stability & behaviour in storage Water resistance Consistency Thermal behaviour

What are some of the ways to initiate Explosives?

Direct Heat / Flame Percussion & Stabbing Friction Electrical Shock Waves

Describe Brisance -

The shattering effect of explosives.

What are the two main types of smoke compositions ?

Bergers White Phos

what is the acronym for Cyclotrimethylenetrinitromine?

RDX

what is the acronym for Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate?

PETN

what is the acronym for Cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine?

HMX

what is the English word for Trinitrophenol?

PICRIC ACID

what are the degressive propellant shapes?

cord flake strip/ribbon

what are the neutral propellant shapes?

tubular cogged star centre

what are the progressive propellant shapes

rosette multi tubular

what makes up the Australian propellant code?

first digit - physical shape second digit - deterrent coating third digit - indication of single or double based

what are the advantages to WP?

immediate effect on burning excellent screen produced no priming or ignition devices required

what are the disadvantages to the berger composition?

requires special priming and ignition devices effective screen takes longer to build up

what are the two main types of berger compositions?

-zinc powder and zinc oxide with carbon tetrachloride absorbed on kieselguhr or magnesium carbonate. -Zinc oxide, zinc powder and hexachlorethane.

what are the three types of explosion?

Physical Chemical Nuclear

what are the four types of blast pressure?

Dynamic Pressure Incident Pressure Quasi Static Pressure Reflected Pressure

What is the basic principle of FAE?

Consists of creating an aerosol cloud of a fuel air mixture, which is then initiated to create an explosive effect, not a fire such as napalm.

what are the factors that effect VOD?

density of charge charge diameter degree of confinement strength of detonator

solid propellants can be divided in two types, what are they?

colloidal- single, double and triple based composite

what are the advantages to double based propellants?

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

what are the additives that can be added to propellants?

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

What are the ideal properties of smoke?

Immediate in effect Unaffected as far as possible Persistent Non anti personnel Non incendiary