Propellants, Colloidal

Dr Gustav Schweikert of Bad Godesberg, described in Explosivstoffe 3, 197-200 (1955) and 4, 10-14 (1956) a theory of detonation of condensed-phase explosives, which is based on the assumption that such.detonations follow essentially the same basic laws as the combustion of colloidal propellants, and can be comprehended thru the same molecular and reaction-kinetic theories... 

The strength of alcohol commonly used in the US is 95% (190 proof), while 96% is used in Europe. For prepn of perfumes the 70% alcobol is used. TTie so-called absolute alcobol (200 proof) is at least 99% and its use is restricted. to analytical purposes or research. The so-called industrial alcohol is unfit to drink because it contains up to 5% methanol (wood alcohol) or benzene. Such alcohol is known as denatured and it is briefly described in Vol 3 of Encycl, p D63-R. Denatured alcohol is used as a solvent for expls, rocket fuels, rubbers, detergents, etc. Mixture of 1 part alcobol with 2 parts eth (described in Vol 5 of Encycl as Diethyl Ether) used as a solvent in dehydration of Pyrocellulose in manuf of single-base propint, such as described in Davis (Ref 2) and also on p C399 of Vol 3 of Encycl, under "Colloiding Agents and Colloidal Propellants ... 

Uses of Ether. One of the important applications of ether is in manuf of single-base propellants whece it is used in 2 1 mixture (by wt) with ethanol. The procedure is described in Vol 3 of Encycl, p C399, under Colloiding Agents and Colloidal Propellants... 

Most dangerous group Black Powder and colloidal propellants, in bulk placed in boxes, and chlorate explosives, not cartridged. Dynamites with attached caps fuses, detonators, nonelectric at electric and Nitroceiiuioses wetted with at least 25% water. Aromatic nitrocompounds, packed in double containers the inner ones from leather, cardboard, heavy paper envelope., while the outer ones nf wood or copper. The fulminates must be transported in vessels filled with water... 

Gelatinization of NG with NC in prepn of smokeless propellants is described in Vol 3, pp C398-L to C403-L, under "Colloiding Agents and Colloidal Propellants ... 

Homogeneous or colloidal propellants consist of single, double and triple-base propellants whose salient features are ... 

Energy vs Velocity of Deflagration of Colloidal Propellants. Accd to Muraour Aunis (Ref) the energy Q, in keals liberated at constant volume by decompn of 1kg of prop-lnt (or explosive) is shown graphically to be... 

This jelly (or paste) may also be obtained on treating a colloid with a smaller amt of dispersing medium. Fruit jelly is atypical example of such gels. These gels are used in manufg expl Si proplnt compns (See Colloidal Dynamites and Colloidal Propellants)... 

Composite Propellants. These are non-homogeneous mixes of a finely ground oxidizer (such as Amm perchlorate or nitrate) in a matrix of plastic, resinous or elastometric material (Ref 24, ppl0-ll 34-40). As these proplnts are not based on colloided NC, they are not considered as "Colloidal Propellants , but are described separately as "Composite Explosives (See also Coefficient de gel acini sation and Coefficient de gonflement)... 

Schultze powder and E. C. powder are known as bulk sporting powders, either because they are loaded by bulk or because, for the same bulk, they have about the same power as black powder. Bulk powders burn quickly. They are used in shot guns, in hand grenades, in blank cartridges, and occasionally in the igniter charges which set fire to the dense colloided propellent powder which is used in artillery. 

Nitramine (RDX or HMX) oxidizer Homogeneous colloidal propellant consisting of nitrocellulose dissolved in plasticizer comprised of nitroglycerine and inert materials Composite or double-base propellant in which polymer is dissolved in plasticizier... 

Use af Ethanol and Ether in the Manufacture af Single-Base Smokeless Propellant s. Operation s in manuf of single-base smokeless proplnts from Pyrocellulose, which is NC of N content 12.60-0.10% (described in Vol 2 of Encycl, p 003) are discussed in Vol 3 of Encycl, under "Colloiding Agents and Colloidal Propellants on pp C398 C399. Manuf of NC is described in Vol 2, p 002, while its stabilization for use in smokeless propellants is described in Vol 2, p 007... 

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