Test of Objectives- 2.1.2 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
2
Q
What are the 2 categories of propellants?
A
1- Liquid
2- Solid
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
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
5
Q
What are the 2 different types of solid propellant?
A
1- Collodial- Single, double and triple based
2- Composite
6
Q
What is the main material in propellant?
A
Nitrocellulose- NC
7
Q
Define stability table ranges for propellants & Explosives of N Nitrogen in NC Nitrocellulose
A
- 7- 11.2- Celluliod
- 2- 11.7- Film/ lacquer
- 7- 13.1- Propellant
- 7- 14.3- Detonating explosives
8
Q
Define propellant?
A
An explosive which by controlled burning, provided the gas pressure required to give motion to a projectile.
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
10
Q
What aids the performance of propellant?
A
1- Calorimetric Value
2- Density
3- Burning Rate and Pressure
4- Shape and size
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.
12
Q
What is the main ingredient of a Single Base propellant?
A
Nitrocellulose
13
Q
What are the advantages of a double base propellant?
A
- Higher energy rating
- Easily ignited
- Higher flame temp
- Higher burning rate
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
15
Q
What are the propellant shapes which would produce a constant burn rate?
A
- Tubular
- Slotted Tubular
- Cogged
- Star Centre
16
Q
What are 3 types of solid propellants?
A
1- Single base propellant
2- Double base propellants
3- Triple base propellant
17
Q
What does single based propellant consist of?
A
NC- Nitrocellilous- 12.6- 13.4% N
18
Q
What are single based propellants used for?
A
- Small arms propellants, including hearvy machine guns
- Secondary charges for mortars
- Igniters
19
Q
What do double based propellants consist of?
A
Basically NC gelatinised with NG
- NG content-between 30% and 60%
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
21
Q
What do triple based propellants consist of?
A
Heterogeneous-
- Picrite- 40-50%
22
Q
Do composite propellants contain NC?
A
No- Do not contain NC but are a physical mixture of fuel and oxident, with binders.
23
Q
What are the 3 burning rates of propellant?
A
- Degressive bunring
- Neutral Burning
- Progressive bunring
24
Q
What does degressive burning mean?
A
Total surface are decreases as the propellant burns
25
What are 3 degressive propellant shapes?
- Cord
- Flake
- Strip/ Ribbon
26
What does neutral burning mean?
External surface decreases at same rate that internal surface increases during burning.
27
What are 3 neutral propellant shapes?
-Tubular
-Cogged
-Star Centre
Example- RKT motor
28
What does progressive buning mean?
Total surface area increases during burning
29
What are the 2 progressive shapes?
-Rosette
-Multi- tubular
Example- high velocity ammunition, artillery, tank
30
What are some propellant shapes?
-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
31
What is the definition of primary explosives?
Substance, or mixture of substances used to initiate a detonation or a burning reaction
32
What are the characteristics of primary explosives?
- Stability over long storage periods
- Optimum sensitivity to applies stimulus
- Optimum output of the required kind
- Compatibility with materials
- safe to handle and load
33
Name 2 explosive initiators?
- Detonators
| - Ignitors
34
What are the primary explosive compounds?
- Lead Azide
- Lead Styphnate
- Lead Dinitro Rescorcinate
- PETN
- Von Herz mixtures
- ASA compound
35
What are some additives in propellants?
- Stabilisers
- Plasticisers
- Coolants
- Surface moderants
- Surface lubricants
- Flash inhibitors
- De-coppering agents
- Anti-wear additives
36
3 ways to control the burn rate?
1- Propellant composition
2- Shape of propellant
3- Size of propellant
37
3 Types of burning rates for propellant?
1- Degressive burning
2- Neutral burning
3- Progressive burning
38
What are some neutral burning shapes for propellant?
Tubular, cogged, star centre
39
What is the main ingredient of a single base propellant?
Nirtocellulose
40
What are the advantages of a double base propellant?
High energy rate
Higher burning rate
Higher flame temp
Easily ignited
41
What is the definition of propellant?
An explosive which, by controlled burning provides the gas pressure required to give motion to a projectile or missile.
42
What are the propellant shapes which would produce a constant burn rate?
Tubular, Slotted tubular, cogged, star centre
43
What are 3 means of igniting or initiating?
Mechanical means, electrical means, igniferous
44
What are the 3 types of ignition systems of SAA?
1- Cap and internal anvil (Berdan)
2- Cap and seperate anvil (boxer)
3- Rim fire
45
Cap compositions consist of the following:
Primary explosive, sensitiser, oxidiser
46
What are the 2 types of initiators?
Igniferous, disruptive
47
Caps , igniter and detonators may be ignited or initiated by what ways?
- Mechanical means,- percussion
- Electrical means- Bridge wire
- Igniferous- Flames and spark
48
Cap primer composition mixtures comprise 3 essential ingredients, what are they?
- The primary explosive
- The sensitiser
- the oxidiser
49
There are 2 types if initiators being used, what are they?
Igniferous, disruptive
50
What is the definition of a pyrotechnic composition?
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
What are 4 pyrotechnic effects?
Heat, Light, Smoke, Sound
52
What are the pyrotechnic groups?
```
Illuminating Compositions
Smoke Compositions
Signal Compositions
Delay Compositions
Tracer Compositions
Incendiary Compositions
Priming Compositions
Simulators
Pyromechanisms
```
53
What is the role of a first fire composition?
Acts as the booster between the low energy output of the initiator and the main composition which may be difficult to ignite.
54
What are 3 specific groups of compositions?
Igniter, priming, incendiary
55
What is the definition of igniter compositions?
A composition that produces hot flames, usually accompanied by sparks and hot gasses, for a relatively short time.
56
What is the definition of a priming composition?
A pyrotechnic composition that produces hot slags, sometimes without the production of gas.
57
What 3 groups do priming compositions fall into?
Gunpowder, organic substance, mixtures that produce slag
58
What do delay compositions do?
To provide a pyrotechnic delay between two igniting or explosive events.
59
What factors affect delay compositions?
Chemical nature, purity, physical form, uniformity of blending
60
What are incendiary compositions?
A pyrotechnic composition which produces hot flames and large evolution of heat
61
What is heat of combustion?
Heat of combustion is the amount of heat evolved in the combustion of one more of a substance with oxygen at constant pressure
62
What are 2 metals that are most useful for incendiary agents?
magnesium, aluminium
63
Name 2 combustible fluids?
Napalm, fougasses
64
What are 2 distinct groups incendiary materials fall into?
Metals and alloys, Combustible fluids
65
What nature of EO may contain incendairy compositions?
Grenades, Cannon, SAA, Aircraft Bombs, Pre set charges
66
What is the F of I for Lead Azide?
15- 20
67
What is the F of I for Lead styphnate?
12
68
Describe Lead Dinitro Resorcinate?
Weak initiator, found in primers, less sensitive to impact, high sensitive to friction
69
What is the F of I for PETN?
50
70
What is the ASA composition made up of and what are the percentages?
Lead azide- 68%
Lead styphnate- 29%
Aluminium power- 3%
Used in military detonators
71
What are 2 types of explosive initiators?
Detonators, ignitors
72
What is the role of illuminating compositions?
To provide a steady source of light to illuminate targets for visual or photographic reconnaissance purpose.
73
What are the principle factors that effect burning of compositions?
- Rate of burning
| - Specific intensity
74
What are the chemical constituents of illum?
Fuel and oxidant, binder
75
What are 2 main oxidants?
```
Barium nitrate/ potassium nitrate mixture (white light)
Sodium nitrate (yellow light)
```
76
What is the role of signal compositions?
- Produce light of distinctive colour
| - Produce coloured smoke
77
What is luminosity measure in?
candela
78
What is the breakdown of colour producers?
```
Red- Strontium nitrate
Yellow- Sodium nitrate
Green- Barium nitrate
White- Barium nitrate/potassium nitrate
Orange- calcium nitrate
Blue- copper carbonate
```
79
What is the role of tracer composition?
Tracer compositions are signal compositions used in projectiles of all natures to indicate the trajectory of that projectile.
80
What are the 2 purposes of dark ignition?
- Avoid location of weapon
| - Avoid dazzling the gun layers at night- multiple/ automatic wpns
81
What is the role of illuminating compositions?
- Light to illuminate targets
- provide coloured signals
- To provide fillings suitable for use as tracers
82
What are the design requirements for illuminating compositions?
- It must burn for the required time
- Must have the appropriate lumunosity
- Withstand firing forces
83
What is the role of the signal composition?
To transmit concise message through the atmosphere over considerable distance.
84
What are the 2 types of signal compositions?
- Produce light of distinctive colour
| - Produce coloured smoke
85
WHat is the definition of High Explosive?
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
What is the definition of detonation?
An extremely rapid chemical change with the evolution of heat and gas, accompanied by a violent distruptive effect and intense blast.
87
What is the definition of low explosive?
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
What is the difference between High and Low explosives?
The speed of decomposition is either less or greater than the speed of sound.
89
What is gunpowder used for?
Igniters, primers, tubes, fuzes, black charges, FBT, Ejection charges in carrier projecticles
90
What are the three types of propellant?
- Gunpowder
- Smokeless propellant
- Solid and liquid propellants
91
What are the main types of high explosives? (Compounds)
Tetryl, TR1, TNT, RDX, PENT
92
What is Tetryl Replacement 1 comprised of?
RDX 98.75% Polyethylene wax 1.25%
93
What is the F of I of RDX?
80
94
What does comp b comprise of?
RDX 59.5% TNT 39.5% Wax 1%
95
What is the derivative of RDX?
HMX
96
What are VOD (velocity of detonations?
| For CE, TNT, RDX, PETN, PICRIC ACID, COMP B, PE 4, C4, HMX, EXPLOSIVE D, ANFO
```
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
What is the abbreviation for composition explosives?
CE
98
Is the dust or explosive residue hazardous to health?
yes
99
Propellants are classed as low explosive name another 2?
Gunpowder and pyrotechnics
100
The purpose of smoke compositions?
- signalling and screening
101
What are the ideal properties of smoke compositions?
- Immediate in effect
- Unaffected as far possible by climate/ weather
- Persistent
- Non Anti- Personnel
- Non incendiary
102
What are the uses for smoke producing ammunition?
-Screening- Defensive and tactical
103
Smoke is separated into 3 groups, chemical, pyrotechnic and other.
What are the main 2 types of ‘other’ compositions?
- zinc powder and zinc oxide with carbon tetrachloride
| - Zinc oxide, zinc powder and hexachlorethane
104
The military service have 2 main requirements for 2 distinct types of smoke producing munitions, what are they?
- Screening smoke
| - Signalling smoke
105
The simplest form of pyrotechnic smoke is produced by burning WP in air to form phosphorus pentoxide?
True
106
List three main types of EO which has a filling of WP as a screening smoke?
- Grenades
- Mortar bombs
- Artillery Projectiles
107
Coloured smoke is used during daylight for signalling purposes, what are the 5 colours?
Red, Green, Blue/ violet, Yellow, Orange
