2. Study guide Flashcards
Pyrotechnic groups and types
Incendiary Illumination Smoke Signal Delay Tracer Priming Simulators Pyromechanisms
Definition of a Primary explosive
Substance or mixture used to initiate a detonation or burning reaction
Two classes of initiators?
detonators
Ignitors
Full chemical name of RDX
Cyclotrimethylenetrinitroluene
What metals can be used as additives in HE?
Aluminium
Magnesium
Zirconium
What are the contents and ratios for Comp B?
RDX 59.5%
TNT 39.5%
Wax 1%
List the purposes of HE additives
Increase sensitivity Increase blast effects Improve stability Improve moldability Decrease sensitivity
Cap compositions consist of?
Primary explosive
Sensitiser
Oxidiser
Tracer - what is dark ignition?
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
What are the design requirements for Illumination?
Burn for the correct time
Have the correct luminosity
Withstand firing forces, ie. tracer
What are the ideal properties of Smoke?
Immediate in effect
Unaffected by climate / weather ( as far as possible)
Persistent
Non anti-personnel
Non incendiary
Purposes of Smoke
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
Definition of propellant
An explosive, which by controlled burning, provides the gas pressure required to give motion to a projectile or missile
Advantages of double-based propellant
Easily ignited
Higher energy rating than single-base
Higher flame temperature
Higher burning rate
What are the additives for propellant? (8)
Stabilisers Plasticisers Coolants Surface lubricants Surface moderants Flash inhibitors De-coppering agents Anti-wear additives
What are the ingredients of gunpowder and the mix ratio
7 parts saltpetre
5 parts sulphur
5 parts charcoal
What does Ballistite consist of?
Nitroglycerine
Collodion (NC)
Camphor (wax)
List the types of SOLID Propellants
Single based
Double based
Triple based
Composite
How did they overcome the detonation issues with Picric Acid?
Tetryl was added as a booster
What do triple based propellants consist of?
A gel of Nitrogylcerine and Nitrocellulose, with
Nitro guanidine (NQ)
Types of Pyrotechnic Groups
DISIST PSP
Illuminating "compositions" Smoke Signal Delay Tracer Incendiary Priming Simulators Pyromechanisms
What are the colour producers for illum/signals?
Red - Strontium Nitrate Green - Barium nitrate Yellow - Sodium Nitrate Blue - Copper Carbonate White - Barium nitrate and potassium nitrate Orange - Calcium nitrate
What are the characteristics of Priming Compositions? (6)
- 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
Types of ignitors and detonators (7)
Flash receptive detonators
Stab igniters & detonators
Percussion igniters
Conducting composition igniters & detonators
Hot Bridge Wire igniters & detonators
Exploding Bridge Wire detonators
Pyrotechnic igniters
2 main types of explosive initiators
Detonators
Igniters
Names for different types of High Explosives
CE TR 1 TNT RDX Picric Acid COMP B PE 4 HMX
Names for Low Explosives
Gunpowder
Propellants
Pyrotechnics
Name the Primary Explosives
Lead Azide
Lead Styphnate
Lead Dinitro Rescorcinate
Von Herz
ASA Compound
Lead Azide 69%, lead styphnate 29%, aluminium powder 3%2 distinct groups for incendiary material?
Metals and alloys
Combustible liquids
What is the purpose of a Delay composition?
To provide a pyrotechnic delay between 2 igniting or explosive events
What are the advantages of a single base propellant?
Cooler burning, therefore less erosive
Generates less flash
Ballistics less effected by changes in charge temperature
What do Carbamites do for propellant?
Stabiliser and plasticiser additive
What are the 3 types of propellant burning rates?
Depressive
Neutral
Progressive
Types of Incendiary EO
Grenades Cannon projectiles SAA Aircraft bombs Pre-set charges
3 type of propellant burning rates
Depressive
Neutral
Progressive
