Problems connected with possibility of the solventless production of modified ball-powder compositions

Abstract

Abstract The present paper deals with verifying the potential preparation of ball powders using a solventless procedure in laboratory. The solution is based on such a principle that the powder mass consisting of nitrocellulose, a non-volatile meltable explosive gelatinizing agent (such as TNT), and a non-volatile meltable nonexplosive gelatinizing agent (such as triacetine), which is an energy-deficient composition, is enriched in its energy content by adding an energy donor (such as PETN), other additives, such as wax E (improving the rheological properties) and Centralite, being introduced in minor amounts. The powder preparation is run in a reactor under stirring with a temperature control in the presence of protective colloid. The process run under the given conditions yields a plastic powder mass forming discrete ball grains which are hardened by cooling the charge as a whole. Various factors of importance are discussed with respect to the granulometric composition and shape uality of the product obtained. The ball powder gained was subjected to informative ballistic tests with cartridges of the 7.62 mm calibre using the central initiation and those of .22 calibre rimfire cartridges. With some types of the .22 calibre cartridges really good ballistic parameters were achieved though the performance of the new powder was inferior to that of conventional powders.