Chemical and Physical Characterization of an Experimental White Smoke Formed from Combustion of Ammonium Perchlorate, Ammonium Chloride, and Carboxy-Terminated Polybutadiene
Abstract
Smoke was produced from a candidate smoke material, composition C28, in a laboratory glove box; and the chemical and physical characteristics of the smoke were determined in order to evaluate its potential for health hazards to exposed soldiers. The C28 smoke system, developed by the U.S. Army Chemical Research, Development and Engineering Center (USACRDEC) as a candidate to replace hexachloroethane smoke systems, consists of ammonium perchlorate (62 percent by weight) and ammonium chloride (20 percent) in a matrix of carboxy- terminated polybutadiene (18 percent). Miniature grenades provided by the USACRDEC contained 10 g of the C28 mixture plus a 1-g starter mix and an electric match. These canisters were electrically ignited in a Class III glove box. Samples were taken for off-line analysis for anions, cations, and organic compounds and for determination of particle size distribution; hydrogen chloride and carbon monoxide were measured using real-time instruments. The smoke produced by the 10-g C28 canister consisted mainly of ammonium chloride particles with a mass median diameter of 1 micrometers. Ammonium chloride is regarded as a mild respiratory irritant.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 26, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA258751
Entities
People
- Alan T. Rosencrance
- Ernst E. Brueggemann
- James C. Eaton
- Jennifer L. Hornsby
- Joseph A. Terra
Organizations
- United States Army Biological Warfare Laboratories