Summative - Explosives and Propellants

Question 1

Sulpher and Pitch are two ingredients of Greek Fire. What is the other one?

Answer 1

Naptha

Question 2

What does Ballistite consist of?

Answer 2

Nitroglcyrine (NG), Nitrocellouse (NC) and camphor

Question 3

What are the four types of modern smokeless powders used in both military and civilian applications?

Answer 3

Single

Double

Triple

Composite

Question 4

What components make up Guncotton?

Answer 4

Nitrocellouse (NC) Nitric Acid and cotton fibres

Question 5

During the Boer War, Oicric Acid filled shells did not fully detonate. What booster was added to Picric Acid to enhance the detonation?

Answer 5

Tetryl

Question 6

What are the four pyrotechnic effects ?

Answer 6

Heat

Light

Smoke

Sound

Question 7

What additives produce the following colours?

Answer 7

Red - Strontium Nitrate
Yellow - Sodium Nitrate
Green - Barium

Question 8

One of the characteristics of a priming composition is that it needs to be easily ignited, what are the other four characteristics?

Answer 8

• Generate high heat
• Not burn too quickly or violently
• Produce some solid products of combustion
• Be compatible with the mixture used

Question 9

Define Primary Explosives and detail what they are most used for

Answer 9

Substance or mixture of substances used to

initiate a detonation or a burning reaction.

Question 10

What are the two types of explosive initiators?

Answer 10

Ignitors and detonators

Question 11

Flash receptive detonators are one type of explosive initiators, name three others?

Answer 11

• Stab igniters and detonators
• Percussion igniters
• Conducting compositions igniters and detonators
• Hot bridge wire igniters and detonators
• Exploding bridge wire
• Pyrotechnic igniters

Question 12

What are the abbreviations of the following explosives?

Cyclotrimethylenetrinitromine?

Composition Exploding?

Answer 12

RDX

CE

Question 13

Identify each of the following as high or low explosives.

Gunpowder
Tetryl
Comp B

Answer 13

Low
High
High

Question 14

Illuminating and smoke compositions are two of the pyrotechnic groups, name two others

Answer 14

Signal and Delay

Question 15

What is the composition of Comp B?

Answer 15

RDX 59.5%
TNT 39.5%
Wax 1%

Question 16

List the five purposes of additives used in high explosives?

Answer 16

• Decrease sensitivity
• Increase sensitivity
• Improve stability
• Increase blast effect
• Improve moldability

Question 17

Cap (primer) composition mixtures comprise three essential ingredients, what are they?

Answer 17

Primary explosive
Oxidiser
Sensitiser

Question 18

What are the two purposes of dark ignition?

Answer 18

To prevent dazziling the firer.

To avoid the enemy being able to observe the exact location of the weapon.

Question 19

One of the design requirements for an Illuminating Composition is that it must burn for the correct time. What is one other?

Answer 19

Provide the required amount of luminosity

Question 20

What are three ideal properties for smoke compositions?

Answer 20

• Immediate in effect
• Unaffected as far as possible by climate/weather
• Persistent
• Non Anti-Personnel
• Non Incendiary

Question 21

The military services have a requirement for two distinct types of smoke producing munitions. What are they?

Answer 21

Tactical Screening and signalling

Question 22

Define an igniter composition.

Answer 22

A pyrotechnic composition used to ignite propellant explosive systems giving off hot flames, usually accompanied by sparks and hot gases for relatively short times.

Question 23

What are the two distinct groups that incendiary material fall into?

Answer 23

Alloys/Metals and Combustible Fluids

Question 24

List two (2) metals that are most useful as incendiary materials?

Answer 24

Magnesium and Aluminium

Question 25

Delay compositions are used for what purpose?

Answer 25

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

Question 26

What is the definition of a Propellant?

Answer 26

Propellant is a low explosive, that when burnt under control, produces heat and gases that impart motion on a projectile or missile

Question 27

What is the main ingredient of a Single Base propellant?

Answer 27

Nitrocellulose (NC)

Question 28

One advantage of a Single Base propellant is that the ballistics are less affected by changes in charge temperature. Name one other advantage.

Answer 28

* Cooler burning * Less erosive * Less flash than cordite

Question 29

List the main ingredients of a Double Base propellant?

Answer 29

Nitrocellulose Nitro-glycerine

Question 30

One advantage of a Double Base propellant is that it has a higher energy rating than Single Base propellants. Name one other advantage

Answer 30

Easy to ignite | Higher flame temperature

Question 31

What are the main ingredients of a Triple Base propellant?

Answer 31

Nitroglycerine (NG) Nitrocellouse (NC) Nitro Garudine (petric acid)

Question 32

One type of additive used with propellants is a Surface lubricant. Name four (4) others.

Answer 32

* Coolant * Stabiliser * Plasticiser * Moderant * Flash inhibitor * Decoppering Agent * Antiwear additive

Question 33

Carbamite is an additive which can be used to achieve more than one function. Can it be used as a Surface Moderant?

Answer 33

Yes

Question 34

What two metals are used in propellant charges as De–coppering agents?

Answer 34

Lead and Tin

Question 35

How is the rate of burning of propellant controlled?

Answer 35

Shape Size Composition

Question 36

'Constant Burning' is one form of burning. What are the other two?

Answer 36

Degressive, Progressive

Question 37

Name a propellant shape which would produce a constant burn rate?

Answer 37

Tube