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ATO Course > Formative 2 - Theory of Design LE/HE/PROP/PYRO > Flashcards

Formative 2 - Theory of Design LE/HE/PROP/PYRO Flashcards

1
Q

What are the roles of Illuminating Compositions?

A

To provide a steady source of light to illuminate targets
To provide coloured signals
To provide fillings suitable for use as tracers in SAA and other direct fire ammunition

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2
Q

What are the 2 categories of propellants?

A

1- Liquid

2- Solid

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3
Q

What are some ideal properties for propellant?

A

1- Acceptable High Energy/ Bulk ratio
2- Predictable Burning rate
3- Low flame temperature
4- Being easily and rapidly ignited
5- Low sensitivities to all other possible causes of initiation
6- Cheap easy and rapid to manufacture and blend
7- Long shelf life
9- Minimum tendency to produce flash or smoke
9- Minimum tendency to produce toxic flames

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4
Q

What are the 2 different types of Liquid propellant?

A

1- Mono Propellant- single component substance, ignited by electric means
2- Bi- Propellant- Fuel and oxidiser, Ignited by own reaction or ignition system

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5
Q

What are the 2 different types of solid propellant?

A

1- Collodial- Single, double and triple based

2- Composite

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6
Q

What is the main material in propellant?

A

Nitrocellulose- NC

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7
Q

Define stability table ranges for propellants & Explosives of N Nitrogen in NC Nitrocellulose

A
  1. 7- 11.2- Celluliod
  2. 2- 11.7- Film/ lacquer
  3. 7- 13.1- Propellant
  4. 7- 14.3- Detonating explosives
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8
Q

Define propellant?

A

An explosive which by controlled burning, provided the gas pressure required to give motion to a projectile.

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9
Q

What are the 2 types of signal composition?

A

1- Those which produce a light of distinctive colour

2- Those which produce coloured smoke

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10
Q

What aids the performance of propellant?

A

1- Calorimetric Value
2- Density
3- Burning Rate and Pressure
4- Shape and size

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11
Q

What is the definition of a propellant?

A

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

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12
Q

What is the main ingredient of a Single Base propellant?

A

Nitrocellulose

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13
Q

What are the advantages of a double base propellant?

A
  • Higher energy rating
  • Easily ignited
  • Higher flame temp
  • Higher burning rate
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14
Q

Name some of the additive used in propellants?

A
  • stabiliser
  • plasticiser
  • coolants
  • surface moderants
  • surface lubricants
  • flash inhibitors
  • de-coppering agents
  • anti wear additives
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15
Q

What are the propellant shapes which would produce a constant burn rate?

A
  • Tubular
  • Slotted Tubular
  • Cogged
  • Star Centre
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16
Q

What are 3 types of solid propellants?

A

1- Single base propellant
2- Double base propellants
3- Triple base propellant

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17
Q

What does single based propellant consist of?

A

NC- Nitrocellilous- 12.6- 13.4% N

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18
Q

What are single based propellants used for?

A
  • Small arms propellants, including hearvy machine guns
  • Secondary charges for mortars
  • Igniters
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19
Q

What do double based propellants consist of?

A

Basically NC gelatinised with NG

- NG content-between 30% and 60%

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20
Q

What is double based propellant used for?

A
  • In cordites
  • In the form of ballistite for primary cartiridges in mortars
  • For small arms cartridges where high bulk energies are required
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21
Q

What do triple based propellants consist of?

A

Heterogeneous-

- Picrite- 40-50%

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22
Q

Do composite propellants contain NC?

A

No- Do not contain NC but are a physical mixture of fuel and oxident, with binders.

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23
Q

What are the 3 burning rates of propellant?

A
  • Degressive bunring
  • Neutral Burning
  • Progressive bunring
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24
Q

What does degressive burning mean?

A

Total surface are decreases as the propellant burns

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25
Q

What are 3 degressive propellant shapes?

A
  • Cord
  • Flake
  • Strip/ Ribbon
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26
Q

What does neutral burning mean?

A

External surface decreases at same rate that internal surface increases during burning.

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27
Q

What are 3 neutral propellant shapes?

A

-Tubular
-Cogged
-Star Centre
Example- RKT motor

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28
Q

What does progressive buning mean?

A

Total surface area increases during burning

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29
Q

What are the 2 progressive shapes?

A

-Rosette
-Multi- tubular
Example- high velocity ammunition, artillery, tank

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30
Q

What are some propellant shapes?

A

-Cord, tubular, slotted tubular, multi- tubular, rosette, strip/ribbon, flake, scroll, ball power, drilled tube, slotted groove tube, star centered tube, cruciform, cogged, axial drilled

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31
Q

What is the definition of primary explosives?

A

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

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32
Q

What are the characteristics of primary explosives?

A
  • Stability over long storage periods
  • Optimum sensitivity to applies stimulus
  • Optimum output of the required kind
  • Compatibility with materials
  • safe to handle and load
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33
Q

Name 2 explosive initiators?

A
  • Detonators

- Ignitors

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34
Q

What are the primary explosive compounds?

A
  • Lead Azide
  • Lead Styphnate
  • Lead Dinitro Rescorcinate
  • PETN
  • Von Herz mixtures
  • ASA compound
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35
Q

What are some additives in propellants?

A
  • Stabilisers
  • Plasticisers
  • Coolants
  • Surface moderants
  • Surface lubricants
  • Flash inhibitors
  • De-coppering agents
  • Anti-wear additives
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36
Q

3 ways to control the burn rate?

A

1- Propellant composition
2- Shape of propellant
3- Size of propellant

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37
Q

3 Types of burning rates for propellant?

A

1- Degressive burning
2- Neutral burning
3- Progressive burning

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38
Q

What are some neutral burning shapes for propellant?

A

Tubular, cogged, star centre

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39
Q

What is the main ingredient of a single base propellant?

A

Nirtocellulose

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40
Q

What are the advantages of a double base propellant?

A

High energy rate
Higher burning rate
Higher flame temp
Easily ignited

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41
Q

What is the definition of propellant?

A

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

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42
Q

What are the propellant shapes which would produce a constant burn rate?

A

Tubular, Slotted tubular, cogged, star centre

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43
Q

What are 3 means of igniting or initiating?

A

Mechanical means, electrical means, igniferous

44
Q

What are the 3 types of ignition systems of SAA?

A

1- Cap and internal anvil (Berdan)
2- Cap and seperate anvil (boxer)
3- Rim fire

45
Q

Cap compositions consist of the following:

A

Primary explosive, sensitiser, oxidiser

46
Q

What are the 2 types of initiators?

A

Igniferous, disruptive

47
Q

Caps , igniter and detonators may be ignited or initiated by what ways?

A
  • Mechanical means,- percussion
  • Electrical means- Bridge wire
  • Igniferous- Flames and spark
48
Q

Cap primer composition mixtures comprise 3 essential ingredients, what are they?

A
  • The primary explosive
  • The sensitiser
  • the oxidiser
49
Q

There are 2 types if initiators being used, what are they?

A

Igniferous, disruptive

50
Q

What is the definition of a pyrotechnic composition?

A

A pyrotechnic composition is a chemical, or a mixture of chemicals which when ignites, burns at a controlled rate liberating energy and producing a reaction which can be converted into the desired effect.

51
Q

What are 4 pyrotechnic effects?

A

Heat, Light, Smoke, Sound

52
Q

What are the pyrotechnic groups?

A 
Illuminating Compositions
Smoke Compositions
Signal Compositions
Delay Compositions
Tracer Compositions
Incendiary Compositions
Priming Compositions
Simulators
Pyromechanisms
53
Q

What is the role of a first fire composition?

A

Acts as the booster between the low energy output of the initiator and the main composition which may be difficult to ignite.

54
Q

What are 3 specific groups of compositions?

A

Igniter, priming, incendiary

55
Q

What is the definition of igniter compositions?

A

A composition that produces hot flames, usually accompanied by sparks and hot gasses, for a relatively short time.

56
Q

What is the definition of a priming composition?

A

A pyrotechnic composition that produces hot slags, sometimes without the production of gas.

57
Q

What 3 groups do priming compositions fall into?

A

Gunpowder, organic substance, mixtures that produce slag

58
Q

What do delay compositions do?

A

To provide a pyrotechnic delay between two igniting or explosive events.

59
Q

What factors affect delay compositions?

A

Chemical nature, purity, physical form, uniformity of blending

60
Q

What are incendiary compositions?

A

A pyrotechnic composition which produces hot flames and large evolution of heat

61
Q

What is heat of combustion?

A

Heat of combustion is the amount of heat evolved in the combustion of one more of a substance with oxygen at constant pressure

62
Q

What are 2 metals that are most useful for incendiary agents?

A

magnesium, aluminium

63
Q

Name 2 combustible fluids?

A

Napalm, fougasses

64
Q

What are 2 distinct groups incendiary materials fall into?

A

Metals and alloys, Combustible fluids

65
Q

What nature of EO may contain incendairy compositions?

A

Grenades, Cannon, SAA, Aircraft Bombs, Pre set charges

66
Q

What is the F of I for Lead Azide?

67
Q

What is the F of I for Lead styphnate?

68
Q

Describe Lead Dinitro Resorcinate?

A

Weak initiator, found in primers, less sensitive to impact, high sensitive to friction

69
Q

What is the F of I for PETN?

70
Q

What is the ASA composition made up of and what are the percentages?

A

Lead azide- 68%
Lead styphnate- 29%
Aluminium power- 3%
Used in military detonators

71
Q

What are 2 types of explosive initiators?

A

Detonators, ignitors

72
Q

What is the role of illuminating compositions?

A

To provide a steady source of light to illuminate targets for visual or photographic reconnaissance purpose.

73
Q

What are the principle factors that effect burning of compositions?

A
  • Rate of burning

- Specific intensity

74
Q

What are the chemical constituents of illum?

A

Fuel and oxidant, binder

75
Q

What are 2 main oxidants?

A 
Barium nitrate/ potassium nitrate mixture (white light)
Sodium nitrate (yellow light)
76
Q

What is the role of signal compositions?

A
  • Produce light of distinctive colour

- Produce coloured smoke

77
Q

What is luminosity measure in?

78
Q

What is the breakdown of colour producers?

A 
Red- Strontium nitrate
Yellow- Sodium nitrate
Green- Barium nitrate
White- Barium nitrate/potassium nitrate
Orange- calcium nitrate
Blue- copper carbonate
79
Q

What is the role of tracer composition?

A

Tracer compositions are signal compositions used in projectiles of all natures to indicate the trajectory of that projectile.

80
Q

What are the 2 purposes of dark ignition?

A
  • Avoid location of weapon

- Avoid dazzling the gun layers at night- multiple/ automatic wpns

81
Q

What is the role of illuminating compositions?

A
  • Light to illuminate targets
  • provide coloured signals
  • To provide fillings suitable for use as tracers
82
Q

What are the design requirements for illuminating compositions?

A
  • It must burn for the required time
  • Must have the appropriate lumunosity
  • Withstand firing forces
83
Q

What is the role of the signal composition?

A

To transmit concise message through the atmosphere over considerable distance.

84
Q

What are the 2 types of signal compositions?

A
  • Produce light of distinctive colour

- Produce coloured smoke

85
Q

WHat is the definition of High Explosive?

A

Any explosive which once initiated decomposes almost instantaneously into its original molecular structure by the passage of a detonation wave through- production of heat and gases.

86
Q

What is the definition of detonation?

A

An extremely rapid chemical change with the evolution of heat and gas, accompanied by a violent distruptive effect and intense blast.

87
Q

What is the definition of low explosive?

A

An explosive substance, which decomposes rapidly trough combustion with evolution of heat and flash, and generates a large quality of gaseous products.
- Burning rate up to 300m/s

88
Q

What is the difference between High and Low explosives?

A

The speed of decomposition is either less or greater than the speed of sound.

89
Q

What is gunpowder used for?

A

Igniters, primers, tubes, fuzes, black charges, FBT, Ejection charges in carrier projecticles

90
Q

What are the three types of propellant?

A
  • Gunpowder
  • Smokeless propellant
  • Solid and liquid propellants
91
Q

What are the main types of high explosives? (Compounds)

A

Tetryl, TR1, TNT, RDX, PENT

92
Q

What is Tetryl Replacement 1 comprised of?

A

RDX 98.75% Polyethylene wax 1.25%

93
Q

What is the F of I of RDX?

94
Q

What does comp b comprise of?

A

RDX 59.5% TNT 39.5% Wax 1%

95
Q

What is the derivative of RDX?

96
Q

What are VOD (velocity of detonations?

For CE, TNT, RDX, PETN, PICRIC ACID, COMP B, PE 4, C4, HMX, EXPLOSIVE D, ANFO

A 
CE- 7500 MPS
TNT- 6950 MPS
RDX- 8450 MPS
PENT- 8300 MPS
PICRIC ACID- 6800 MPS
COMP B- 7800 MPS
PE 4- 8200 MPS
C4- 7500 MPS
HMX- 9120 MPS
EXPLOSIVE D- 7150 MPS
ANFO- 1100- 2700 MPS
97
Q

What is the abbreviation for composition explosives?

98
Q

Is the dust or explosive residue hazardous to health?

99
Q

Propellants are classed as low explosive name another 2?

A

Gunpowder and pyrotechnics

100
Q

The purpose of smoke compositions?

A
  • signalling and screening
101
Q

What are the ideal properties of smoke compositions?

A
  • Immediate in effect
  • Unaffected as far possible by climate/ weather
  • Persistent
  • Non Anti- Personnel
  • Non incendiary
102
Q

What are the uses for smoke producing ammunition?

A

-Screening- Defensive and tactical

103
Q

Smoke is separated into 3 groups, chemical, pyrotechnic and other.

What are the main 2 types of ‘other’ compositions?

A
  • zinc powder and zinc oxide with carbon tetrachloride

- Zinc oxide, zinc powder and hexachlorethane

104
Q

The military service have 2 main requirements for 2 distinct types of smoke producing munitions, what are they?

A
  • Screening smoke

- Signalling smoke

105
Q

The simplest form of pyrotechnic smoke is produced by burning WP in air to form phosphorus pentoxide?

106
Q

List three main types of EO which has a filling of WP as a screening smoke?

A
  • Grenades
  • Mortar bombs
  • Artillery Projectiles
107
Q

Coloured smoke is used during daylight for signalling purposes, what are the 5 colours?

A

Red, Green, Blue/ violet, Yellow, Orange

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