Ammunition primer

Bakufuh. Detonating Explosive or Exploding Powder. A light-gray to tan pdr consisting of MF (Mercuric Fulminate) 28.8, K chlorate 37.7, Antimony trisulfide 31.5 abrasive 2%. Accdg to documents, Mks I III are used in ammunition primers while Mk 2 is used in fuze primers (Ref 1, p 25 Ref 5, pp 362—63). 

No No Primary high explosive, Extremely pressure/impact sensitive. Used in ammunition primer and blasting caps ... 

In military ammunition primers are charges used to initiate the main explosive charge of a weapon containing built in detonators. 

Despite the reason for the high combustion velocity being under debate, the high combustion velocity is in the range of explosive velocities, so the CuO/Al thermite may have application as a primary explosive. The more easily prepared, physically mixed CuO nanothermite has been patented for use in ammunition primers. Sensitivity data for the CuO /Al thermite is unavailable, but it is expected to be relatively high. High impact sensitivity may be the reason why there are no literature reports of its preparation by arrested reactive milling. 

Zirconium metal is used in flashlight powders and ammunition primers, and as a getter in valves and discharge tubes as it readily absorbs gas when warmed. 

Useful for pyrotechnical fire transfer are the A/39 (Army) mixture, Formula 7 mixture PA-lOl, Formula 8, said to be particularly well-suited for the ignition of delay compositions FA-70, Formula 9, used in numerous pyro primers such as the M19 and in commercial small arms ammunition primers, e.g. Winchester 8-1/2 NOL-60, Formula 10 and FA-959, Formula M. Red phosphorus in combination with barium nitrate and other materials has been used in several formulas in percussion primer mixtures and is also the subject of a patent. ... 

Hyronimus, F. Improvements in and relating to the charge of ammunition primers. GB Patent 1,819, 1908... 

While increased sensitivity can make nano-thermites more dangerous to handle, the increased friction or impact sensitivity is also beneficial in some practical applications such as percussion primers. However some nano-thermites have increased ESD sensitivity, which has no current practical apphcation and is only a safety hazard. For example, a Bi203/Al nano-thermite has sufficient impact and friction sensitivity to be considered for use in ammunition primers, however it has an ESD sensitivity of 0.125 gj (40 nm Bi203, 41 nm Al). This is a static potential, which is easily achieved by the human body. This makes handling hazardous, especially since the Bi203/Al thermite has a combustion velocity of over 750 m/s which means that this thermite explodes rather than bums. The increased ESD sensitivity of nano vs. micron composites is believed to be the result of the increased ability of high surface areas to develop charges. 

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