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TECHNICAL NOTES FRL-TN-20 PB 153115

DETERMINATION OF SENSITIVITY TO IMPACT

OF PYROTECHNIC FLASH COMPOSITIONS USING

"MODIFIED PICATINNY ARSENAL IMPACT TEST

JOEL HARRIS

DAVID J. EDELMAN

'_ SEYMOUR M. KAYE

L- JUNE 1961

. .. . .. -: : . ..

FELTMAN RESEARCH LABORATORIES,

PICATINNY ARSENAL

DOVER. N. J.

ORDNANCE PROJECT TS5-5407

DEPT. OF THE ARMY PROJECT 5S04-01-027

COPY

I, " . .. .

DETERMINATION OF SENSITIVITY TO IMPACTOF PYROTECHNIC FLASH COMPOSITIONS USINGMODIFIED PICATINNY ARSENAL IMPACT TEST

by

Joel HarrisDavid J. EdelmanSeymour M. Kaye

June 1961

Feltman Research LaboratoriesPicatinny Arsenal

Dover, N. J.

Technical Notes FRL-TN-20 Approved by:

Ordnance Project TS5-5407 S. SAGEChief, Pyrotechnics

Dept of the Army Project SS04-01-027 Laboratory

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Object 1

Summary I

Introduction 1

Results 2

Discussion of Results 3

Conclusions 4

Experimental Procedure 4

Material Used 5

References 5

Distribution List 14

Table

1 Run-down impact and friction sensitivity data for FP-790 6composition

2 Run-down impact and friction sensitivity data for 60/40 7potassium perchlorate/aluminum composition

3 Comparison of ambient and heated -un-down impact tests 8

Figure

I Temperature-time curve of Clover stack firing 9

2 Heat loss vs time of FP 790 composition in P.A. impact 10test cup on exposure to room temperature

3 P.A. impact test on FP 790 composition under ambient 11temperature and 1101C

4 P.A. impact test on FP 790 composition containing 12coated calcium under ambient temperature and 110'C

5 P.A. impact test on 60/40 potassium perchlorate/aluminum 13composition under ambient temperature and 110'C

OBJECT Aging of the compositions in sealedcontainers for one month resulted in a

To determine the impact sensitivity of very slight increase in impact sensi-selected pyrotechnic flash compositions tivity, while exposure to 75% relativeat ambient and elevated temperatures, humidity caused a marked decrease in

using the Picatinny Arsenal impact sen- impact sensitivity.sitivity apparatus.

The substitution of calcium-aluminumTo determine the effect of fuel parti- alloy for the individual fuel ingredients

cle size, composition aging, exposure in FP 790 resulted in a slight increaseto high relative humidity, and composi- in impact sensitivity. The use of calcium-tion temperature on the impact sensitiv- carbonate-coated calcium in this compo-ity of these flash compositions. sition did not appreciably affect its sen-

sitivity as compared with elemental cal-SUMMARY cium.

Run-down impact sensitivity tests wereconducted on FP-790 (30/20/50 cal-

cium/aluminum/potassium perchlorate),containing either elemental or calcium-carbonate-coated calcium and 60/40 po-tassium perchlorate/aluminum. The ef- INTRODUCTIONfects of fuel particle size, aging of thecomposition after blending, exposure of Premature detonations have occurredthe composition to 75% relative humidity in several flash cartridges containingover various time intervals, and compo- FP 790 (30/20/50 calcirm/aluminum/sition temperature were investigated, potassium perchlorate) illuminant compo-

sition. Malfunctions of this type are notFlash compositions containing calcium known to have occurred with 60/40 po-

as fuel were found to be more impact sen- tassium perchlorate/aluminum composi-sitive than those containing atomized tion. Accordingly, an evaluation of thealuminum. In addition, the systems con- sensitivity to impact of the above systemstaining calcium exhibited the most marked was undertaken in an effort to relate im-increase in impact sensitivity on heating pact sensitivity to the setback forcesto 110'C. incurred in launching flash cartridges

No trend in impact sensitivity was ap- containing these compositions.

parent due to fuel particle size. The aver- The run-down impact test (Ref 1) con-age particle sizes of the fuels investi- sisted of first establishing a drop heightgated ranged from 4.4 to 28 microns for where no ignitions were obtained. At eachaluminum, and from 10.0 to 64.0 microns increased height (one-inch increments)for calcium. 25 tests were performed and the numberof

ignitions ("hits') and non-ignitions were either calcium-carbonate-coated or ele-..noted. This continued until 25 ignitions mental calcium and a 60/40 potassium

out of 25 attempts were obtained. From perchlorate/aluminium mix maintained atthese results, plots of the cumulative approximately 110 0 C, to determine thepercentage of hits versus height in inches effect of this temperature level on theirwere made (Figs 3, 4, 5, pp 11, 12 and impact sensitivities.13). The geometric means (50% points)"ottained were taken as the measure of Run-down impact tests were also con-the sensitivity to impact of the systems. ducted on a 60/40 potassium perchlorate[

* In addition, the sigma value (ratio of calcium composition for comparison pur-84% to 16% level of ignition divided by poses with the 60/40 system containing2) was calculated. This measure of the alu..m,.ur.slope of the plotteU data represented ameasure of the rate of increase of sensi- Friction sensitivity tests were run ont.ivity to impact. The range in inches all compositions evaluated to determineijrndr the zero ignition to the total igni- if any correlation existed between impact

"tion .level •vas also recorded, and friction sensitivity results.

-''To deterriine the effects of varying RESULTS .-i-fuel particle size on impact sensitivity,

".atorized alurminum fractions of average Table 1 (p 6 ) details run-down impactparticle size 4.4, 14.5, and 28.0 microns data for FP 790 composition as a function

":-and calcium fractions of average parti- of fuel particle size, aging of the compo-.lesize. 10.0, 36.0, and 64.0 microns sition, exposure to 75% relative humidity

'•were 'studied in the FP 790 and 60/40 over 7-hour and 7-day intervals and com-Ssystems..Ink addition, the effect of cnm- position temperature. In addition, friction

"position storage in sealed containers and sensitivity data for all the systems in-

ý.exposure. to a 75% relative humidity for vestigated are given.

•'peribd' of 7 Iours and 7 days was studied.Tabl" 2 (p 7) lists the above da. for

sf•Inord~r to determine the temperature to the 60/40 potassium perchlorate/aluminum

";'hich the FP 790.composition was raised system as well as impact and friction re-.;.on actual fring of a flash item, skin tern- suits for a single 60/40 potassium per-

-,.erature measurements were made during chlorate/calcium mixture..the firing of a CloVer cartridge stackt'(Rt 2). A skin temperature of 120'C waq A comparison of run-down impact tests

`r&.rdd, and heat transfer calculations conducted at ambient temperatures and"we• re "I' on •11° FP 790 mixtures (containiigwere'made -which indicated a temperature on

S,:of approximately 110 0 C ,tthin the car- either elemental or calcium-carbonate-

"t.•idge. Run-down inpact tests were then coated calcium) and 60/40 potassium per-conducted oa FP 790 mixes containing chlorate/aluminum are given in Table 3

(p 8).

2

Figure 1 (p 9) is a temperature-time however, showed no appreciable change

curve obtained in measuring the skin in either range or sigma value on heating

temperature of a Clover cartridge stack to the above temperature. The substitu-

during firing. tion of coated for elemental calcium inFP 790 did not appreciably affect fric-

Figure 2 (p 10) represents four tempera- tion sensitivity results (Table I, p 6).

ture-tire cuL,,-r s which indicate rhe heat

loss of FP 7.0 compivition in a Pica- The results of run-down impact tests

tinny Arsenal im-pact Test cup on removal (Tables 1, 2, pp 6, 7) on three each

from ar, oven, with subsequent exposure FP 790 and 60/40 potassium perchlorate/

to room temperature. These curves were aluminum compositions containing three

used in establishing a test temperature particle size ,eve Is of calcium (10.00,

of 1101C in connection with conducting 36.0, and 64.0 microns) and aluminum

run-down impact tests at this tempera- (4.4, 14.5, and 28.0 microns) revealed no

ture. trend due tb the fuel particle size. Agingof these compositions in sealed containers

Figures 3, 4, and 5 (pp 11, 12, and for up to one mgnth resulted in slight increases

13) represent plots of the cumulative in impact sensitivity (Tables 1, 2), well

percentage of hits versus height in inches within the experimental error of the test,

at both ambient temperature and 110 0 C when compared with results obtained with

for FP 790 (containing either elemental the fresh systems,

or calcium-carbonate-coated calcium) and

60/40 potassiuni perchlorate/aluminum. FP 790 composition containing 36-micron calcium, on exposure to a 75%

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS relative humidity level for 7 hours, ex-hibited a 5-inch decrease in impact sensi-

The FP 790 composition containing tivity. Thus, a trend was established be-

uncoated calcium showed the most marked tween the formation of calcium hydroxide

increase in impact sensitivity, going from and decreased impact sensitivity of this

26.0 inches at ambient to 18.2 inches at mixture.110'C (Table 3, p 8). The composition

containing calcium-carbonate-coated cal- The substitution of calcium-aluminum

cium showed a less marked increase in alloy for the individual fuel ingredients

sensitivity (24.2 to 19,6 inches), while in FP 790 resulted in no appreciable

the 60/40 potassium perchlorate/aluminum change in either impact or friction sensi-

exhibited the least proportional increase tivity (Table 1). The substitution of silver-

in sensitivity (35.5 to 30.5 inches). In doped potassium perchlorate for potassium

addition, there was a marked decrease in perchlorate in the 60/40 potassium perchlo-

both range and sigma value for the rate/aluminum system resulted in a slight

FP 790 systems at 110 0C. The 60/40 increase (35.5 to 33.0 inches) in impact

potassium perchlorate/aiuminum system, sensitivity (Table 2).

3

Impact results obtained for the 60/40 the ignition of the fourth cartridge. Thepotassium perchlorate/calcium system temperature-time curve shown in Figure 1(Table 2, p 7) established this mixture (p 9) was obtained during the firing of aas the most sensitive of all the systems Clover stack. A 32 gauge chromel-alumeltested (18.0 inches), and further confirmed thermocouple, utilizing a Mosley modelthe increased impact sensitivity of cal- 3XY recorder equipped with time base,cium as compared with aluminum, was used to obtain this curve.

CONCLUSIONS The first three maxima of the curve inFigure 1 represent the temperatures re-

1. Flash compositions containing calcium corded on the wall of the fourth cartridgeas fuel are more sensitive to impact then those by the thermocouple due to the firing ofcontaining aluminum. The calcium-containing the first three cartridges of the Cloversystems showed the most marked increase in stack. The fourth rise represents the skinimpact sensitivity on heating to 110 0C. As- temperature of the fourth cartridge on fir-suming a relationship between impact sensi-tivity and setlack forces, itis apparent that ig while the fifth maximum is caused bycalcium-containing compositions would be the heat of the burning propellant chargemore sensitive to setback forces than those of the fifth cartridge on passing the nowcontaining aluminum, detached thermocouple wire. A tempera-

2. No meaningful trend in impact sensitivity ture of approximately 120'C was recordedwas apparent resulting from fuel particle size, as the maximum temperature of the outeraging of the compositions after blending, sub- wall of the fourth cartridge prior to itsstitutionof calcium/aluminumalloy for the expulsion. A ten-degree temperature gradi-individual fuel ingredients, or substitution of ent was calculated between the outer andcalcium-carbonate-coated calcium for elemen- inner walls of the cartridge. In order total calcium. approximate the temperature of the flash

3. Exposure of calcium-containing flash composition in contact with the cartridgecompositions to high relative humidities re- inner wall, the assumption was made thatsuits in a decrease in impact sensitivity, the temperature recorded for the fourth

rise in Figure 1 penetrated 0.5 mm intoEXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE the cartridge wall. Any deviation from

this amount of heat penetration would notIn order to approximate the remperature cause the temperature gradient to change

to which the flash mixture was raised dur- by more than a few degrees. Based on theing the firing of a Clover cartridge stack, further assumption that the flash powderskin temperature measurements were made. in contact with the cartridge inner wallA thermocouple was placed on the outer would rise to approximate the temperaturewall of the fourth cartridge to ascertain of the inner wall because of its muchskin temperature, since premature deto- smaller mass, the run-down impact testsnations involving the Clover cartridge at elevated temperature described earlierstack were reported to have occurred with in this report were conducted at 110C.

Procedures followed for conducting the run-down.iimpact tests are simi-lar to those described in Reference 3. The statistical design of the testis outlined in Reference 1 under procedures for run-down test. - •

MATERIAL USED

1 Calcium, atomized, Valley Metallurgical Processing Co., Inc. Averageparticle diameter: 10, 36, and 64 microns.

2. Aluminum, atomized, Specification MIL-P-14067, Allied Chemical

Co. Average particle diameter: 4.4, 14.5, and 28 miicrons.

3. Potassium perchlorate, Specification PC-PD-254, Western ElectroChemical Co. Average particle diameter: 22 microns.

4. Calcium, atomized, coated with calcium carbonate, prepared atPicatinny Arsenal. Average particle size: 64 microns.

5. Calcium/aluminum alloy, Valley Metallurgical Processing Co., Inc.Average particle size: 41 microns.

REFERENCES

1. Bulfinch, A. Improved Methods and Techniques for Testing.Impac: Sensitivity". .,

of Explosives, Picatinny Arsenal Technical Report 2282, July 1958

2. "Clover' Photoflash Cartridge, Dwg. No. FXP-94572 (1 May 1959)

3. Clear, A. J., Standard Laboratory Procedures for Sensitivity, 8risance, and ,

Stability of Explosives, Picatinny Arsenal Technical Report 1401, Feb 1950

7.

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