Lead bullets

Bullet lead can be either soft lead or lead hardened by antimony, by tin, or by both. Mercury was also used to harden lead in the early days of bullet development. The quantity of alloying materials varies considerably, for example, antimony <0.5% to as high as 12% but typically 2% to 5%, tin <0.5% to 10% but typically 3% to 5%. A larger amount of tin is required to give the same degree of hardness as that of antimony consequently, for cost reasons, antimony is more frequently used. 

In 1959, Harrison and Gilroy introduced a method based on the detection of the metal-containing components of FDR.124 The metallic components involved, namely, lead, antimony, and barium, originate from the primer and the bullet (lead and antimony). The method is based on colorimetric spot tests and involves swabbing the suspect s hands with cotton cloth damped with 0.1 M hydrochloric acid. The swab is allowed to dry and is then tested with one or two drops of a 10% alcohol solution of triphenylmethylarsonium iodide. The appearance of an orange ring indicates the presence of antimony. 

Very high levels of lead are present in the air at pistol ranges. This results both from the lead bullets themselves and from materials used to propel the bullets. Lead shot used for duck and game hunting can result in contamination of aquatic ecosystems and the food they produce. 

Koons, R.D. and Buscaglia, J. (2005) Forensic significance of bullet lead compositions. J. Forensic Sci., 50, 341-351. 

Power. About 135% of TNT in BalMort Test about 160% of TNT in Trauzl Lead Block Test Rifle Bullet Test. High order detonations Thermal Stability. 9 to 30 minutes in 82.2°... 

The design of such cytotoxic antibodies is conceptually simple attach a toxic substance or a mediator of toxicity to the appropriate monoclonal and you have a magic bullet that can find and eliminate the one-in-a-billion cells that have the requisite marker (Figure 21.1). The antibody provides the recognition and binding capacity, while the associated toxic component effects cellular alterations leading to cell death (Pastan et al., 2006). 

Gill, C.E. and K.M. Langelier. 1994. Acute lead poisoning in a bald eagle secondary to bullet ingestion. Canad. Veterin. Jour. 35 303-304. 

The commercial success of the indirect oxidation route has dampened enthusiasm for continuing the search for the silver bullet catalyst that will facilitate direct oxidation, a la EO. Further activity in that area seems more and more like the quest for that Philosophers Stone that turns lead into gold. 

The toxic effects of lead on animals other than humans and on plants have been less extensively studied. One area of special concern, however, relates to animals that are hunted and killed for sport. Studies have shown, for example, that seven times more waterfowl die as a result of lead poisoning from lead in bullets than from gunshots by human hunters. For this reason, manufacturers of ammunition are finding substitutes for the lead that had previously been the primary component of most bullets. 

Lead Block and Copper Cylinder Compression Tests (113-15) Ballistic Pendulum Test (115-16) Fragmentation Test (Geschoss-Splitter Probe (118) Impact Test by Falling Weight (118-20) Deflagration Point (Verpuf-fungstemperatur) (120) Friction Test (120-21) Rifle Bullet Test (Beschussprobe) (121)... 

API), has the lead point filler replaced by an incendiary composition. It is also used primarily against aircraft. The API bullet is similar to (I), except that the incendiary is ahead of the steel core. The cal. 50 API bullet contains 15 grains of the incendiary mixture consisting of barium nitrate and aluminum-magnesium powder. This mixture ignites on impact... 

Lead-Antimony (For Use in Ammunition). Material used by the USA Armed Forces for the manuf of bullet cores, base fillers and point fillers. Three grades are covered in specification MIL-L-13283B (MR) (19 Aug 1970) with the following compn requirements ... 

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