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401-101 > AT SGT Explosives and Propellants > Flashcards

AT SGT Explosives and Propellants Flashcards

2.2.2 / 2.2.3 / 2.2.4

1
Q

What is the definition of primary / initiating explosives?

A

A substance of mix of substances to initiate a detonation or burn

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2
Q

What are the characteristics of primary explosives?

A

Stability over long storage period
Optimum sensitivity to applied stimulus, FoI <50
Optimum output the is required
Compatibility with materials
Safety in loading and handling

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3
Q

What are the 2 types of initiator?

A

Detonators (disruptive)
Igniters (Igniferous)

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4
Q

What are 3 means of initiation for primary explosives?

A

Mechanical
Thermal
Electrical

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5
Q

Describe Figure of Insensitivity?

A

The measure of impact stimulus required to make an explosive material detonate.

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6
Q

What makes up ASA composition?

A

Lead Azide 68%
Lead Styphnate 29%
Aluminum 3%

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7
Q

Name 3 low explosives.

A

Gunpowder
Pyrotechnics
Propellant

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8
Q

What is the make up of Comp B?

A

RDX 59.5%
TNT 39.5%
Wax 1%
(60/40 and shave a little off and add wax)

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9
Q

List some HE.

A

CE - Composition Exploding (Tetryl
TR1 - Tetryl Replacement 1 (RDX 98.75% Wax 1.25%)
TNT - Trinitrotoluene
RDX
PETN
Picric Acid
Comb B - Composition B (RDX 59.5% TNT 39.5% Wax 1%)
PE4 - Plastic Explosive No.4 (RDX 88% Plasticiser 12%)
C4 - Composition 4 (RDX 91% Plasticiser 9%)
HMX
OCTOL - (HMX 70% TNT 30%)

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10
Q

What is the definition of HE?

A

Any explosive when initiated that decomposes by detonation into its original molecular structure producing heat, gas and blast effect.

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11
Q

What is the purpose of additives in HE?

A

Increase Sensitivity
Decrease Sensitivity
Improve stability
Increase blast effects
Improve moldability

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12
Q

Name 3 de-sensitisers?

A

Wax
TNT
Aluminum

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13
Q

Name 4 advantages of Aluminum as an additive?

A

Takes no part in the initial stages of the detonation
Absorbs energy and lessens the release
Reinforcing action due to exothermic reaction to gases
Increases blast effect

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14
Q

What is Phlegmatization and 4 additives that can be used?

A

A term that indicates an explosive has had additives added to it to stabilize or desensitize it.
Wax
Oil
Alcohol
Water

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15
Q

What is a propellant?

A

An explosive with a controlled burn rate that provides gas pressure to move a projectile or missile.

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16
Q

What are 2 categories of propellant and their types?

A

Liquid
- mono and bi-propellant
Solid
-Colloidal and composite

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17
Q

What are the 3 advantages of single based propellants?

A

Cooler burning (less erosive)
Less flash
Less affected by temperature change

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18
Q

What are the 4 advantages of double based propellant?

A

Easily ignited
Hotter flame
Higher burn rate
Higher energy rate

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19
Q

What are 8 effects of additives that can be used in propellants?

A

Stabilisers
Plasticiser
Coolant
Surface moderant
Surface lubricant
Flash Inhibitor
De-coppering agent
Anti wear additives

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20
Q

What 4 effects does Carbamite have as an additive?

A

Stabiliser
Plasticiser
Coolant
Surface Moderant

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21
Q

Name 2 de-coppering agents?

A

Tin
Lead

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22
Q

How do you control the burn rate of propellants?

A

Composition
Shape
Size

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23
Q

What are the 3 burn rates of propellant?

A

Digression
Neutral
Progessive

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24
Q

What are 3 shapes for degressive burn rate?

A

Cord
Flake
Strip or Ribbon

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25
What are 4 shapes for neutral burn rate?
Tubular Cogged Star centred Slotted tubular
26
Identify these images.
27
What is a pyrotechnic?
A chemical or mix of chemicals when ignited burn at a controlled rate releasing energy and producing a reaction that can be converted into an effect
28
What are the 4 main pyrotechnic effects?
Heat Light Smoke Sound
29
What are the common ingredients in illumination pyrotechnics?
Magnesium or aluminum with nitrates as the oxidant
30
What is added to illumination compositions to produce different colours?
Red - Strontium Yellow - Sodium Green - Barium + potassium
31
What is added to smoke compositions to produce different colours?
Red - Strontium nitrate Yellow - Sodium nitrate Blue/Violet - Copper carbonate Green - Barium nitrate White - Barium nitrate and potassium nitrate Orange - Calcium nitrate
32
What 9 groups of pyrotechnic composition are there?
Illumination composition Smoke composition Signal composition Delay composition Tracer composition Incendiary composition Priming composition Simulators Pyromechanisms
33
What are some additives to pyrotechnic compositons?
Paraffin wax Beeswax Carauba Wax Chinese Wax Boiled linseed oil shellac Bakelite resin Polyester resin Chlorinated Rubber Epoxy resin
34
What is a first fire composition?
A booster between a low energy initiator and a composition that is difficult to ignite.
35
List 3 properties that must be considered with pyrotechnics?
Degradation - highly reactive metals, protect from moisture Salt - hygroscopic, moisture produces gas that breaks seals Impurities - Over time can cause issues, undesired reactions
36
What are 3 methods to ignite/initiate a primer(cap)/igniter?
Mechanical Electrical Igniferous
37
List cap (primer) compositions.
Primary (initiating) Explosive - Lead Styphnate - Potassium chlorate Sensitiser - Powdered glass - Sulphur Oxidiser - Potassium chlorate - Barium nitrate
38
The function of a igniferous initiator is to ignite what?
ignite propellant Primers Delay Gaines
39
What does a disruptive initiator function and the 2 types?
Induce detonation in high explosive. 1. Fuze detonation - intiated by Stab, Elec, Pyrotechnic delay 2. Demolition detonation - initiated by Pyrotechnic delay FBT, Elec, Shocktube, Percussion
40
What is the 3 roles of illuminating composition?
Steady source of light to illuminate targets Provide clear coloured signals over considerable distances Tracer filings
41
What are the 3 design requirements of illuminating compositions?
Burn for the correct time Correct luminosity Withstand firing forces
42
What are the chemical ingredients for illumination compositions?
Fuel - Normally magnesium Oxidant - Supplies the oxygen (commonly nitrates) Binding materials / additives
43
What do binding materials provide to illumination compositions?
Cohesion of particles Protect magnesium from corrosion Control rate of burning Control luminosity and colour Change sensitivity
44
What additives are used to colour illumination effects?
Red - Strontium nitrate Yellow - Sodium nitrate Green - Barium nitrate Blue - Copper carbonate White - Barium nitrate and potassium nitrate Orange - Calcium nitrate
45
What is the role of signal compositions?
Transmit clear visual message over considerable distances.
46
What are the 2 pyrotechnic means of sending a signal message?
Light of distinctive colour Produce coloured smoke
47
Why is dark ignition (not visible for 100-200m) important for tracers?
Not mark the firers position Avoid dazzling the firer
48
What are 4 design requirements of tracer composition?
Luminosity Strength Consistency of performance Ease of ignition
49
What are the 2 main types of smoke composition?
Zinc powder (fuel) zinc oxide / carbon tetrachloride (oxidizers) Kieselghuhr (diatomaceous earth) / Magnesium carbonate (looseners) Zinc powder (fuel) zinc oxide (oxidizers) Hexachlorethane (oxidizer-solid)
50
What are the 2 main uses for smoke in the military?
Screening smoke Signaling smoke
51
List 3 types of EO which has WP as a screening smoke?
Grenades Mortar bombs Artillery projectiles
52
What are the 5 colours of signaling smoke?
Red Green Blue/Violet Yellow Orange
53
What are the 2 types of screening smoke?
Tactical Defensive
54
What are 6 disadvantages of WP smoke?
Pillaring Severe burns Harassing effect on people Ongoing fire risk Expensive filling Storage and Transport
55
What effect with the atmosphere causes obscuration? (WP, Berger, Chemical)
Moisture drawn from the air creating a fog or mist
56
What are 5 advantages of the Berger smoke composition?
No pillaring Minimal fire risk Minimal health risks (short term) No irritant effects on personnel Easy to fill EO
57
What are 5 ideal properties of smoke?
Immediate in effect Minimum affected by weather Persistent Non Anti-personnel Non incendiary
58
What are the 3 groups of flame/heat compositions?
Igniter Priming Incendiary
59
Define flame/heat igniter?
To initiate propellant or pyrotechnic systems with hot flames, sparks or hot gas.
60
Name 3 priming compositions?
Gunpowder Organics + oxidiser Slag producers (minimal gas)
61
What are the 2 types of flame/heat delay priming compositions?
Gas Gasless
62
Define the purpose of delay composition.
Provide pyrotechnic delay between 2 igniting or exploding events.
63
What are 4 characteristics of incendiary compositions?
Produce hot molten mass or persistent flame Heat not released to quick Hard to extinguish Max heat - Min weight
64
What are 6 characteristics of flame/heat priming compositions?
Easy to ignite flame/flash Not burn too violent or quick Generate a lot of heat Compatible with mixture/materials Produce some solids Not too sensitive
65
What are the 2 types of incendiary compositions?
Metals/Alloys Combustible fluids
66
What 2 metals are usually used in metal incendiary compositions?
Aluminum Magnesium
67
Describe burn to detonation.
The flame from of a igniferous reaction accelerates to become a disruptive shockwave.
68
What is the composition of gun cotton?
Cotton/wood steeped in nitric and sulphuric acid.
69
5 Factors influencing explosions?
Initiation Type Mass Density Confinement
70
Describe an explosive train.
A sequential arrangement of initiator, intermediary and main charge
71
What are 3 measures of explosives?
Velocity of Detonation - m/s Brisance - shattering effect Figure of Insensitivity - sensitivity to impact
72
What does Ballistite consist of?
NC. NG, Camphor

401-101 (34 decks)

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