A SURVEY OF SOME OF THE RECENT APPLICATIONS OF PYROTECHNICS TO SMALL ARMS AMMUNITION AND MILD DETONATING FUSE SYSTEMS

Abstract

Mild detonating fuse (MDF) applications to aircraft escape systems are presented. The explosive components for MDF systems are discussed. Explosives and pyrotechnics with high stability temperatures are needed to increase the ability of the explosive components to withstand temperatures encountered on aerodynamic heating or in highly ionized media. Desired properties of explosives are listed, and mechanical and thermochemical approaches in designing reliable nonfragmenting MDF systems, utilizing pyrotechnic delays, are discussed. Other MDF topics discussed include transition from detonation to deflagration, delays, and ignition through metal webs (or through bulkhead ignition) from one hermetically sealed MDF system to another hermetically sealed MDF system which requires the use of pyrotechnic delay mixtures. Terminal boosters and their components are discussed. A new method for the laboratory simulation of gun barrel tracer functioning is presented. Several methods of delivering an impact have been investigated. Statistical analysis similar to that used for evaluating impact sensitivity of percussion primers has been applied to evaluate sensitivity results. Preliminary correlation has been established between gun firing data and impact sensitivity. A tracer mixture with high visibility and a new method of tracer projectile charging are presented.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 05, 1965
Accession Number
AD0624607

Entities

People

  • Winston W. Cavell

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter IED
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ammunition
  • Combustion
  • Delay Elements (Explosive)
  • Detonations
  • Engineering
  • Explosions
  • Explosive Charges
  • Explosive Trains
  • Explosives
  • Firing Pins
  • Gun Barrels
  • Ignition
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Munitions
  • Projectiles
  • Small Arms Ammunition
  • Tracer Ammunition

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Rocket Propulsion.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • ballistics.