Muzzle flame

Muzzle Flash or Muzzle Flame. Flame that appears at the muzzle of a gun when a projectile leaves the barrel. See Flash Reducing (or Antiflash) Agents, Flash Reduction in Ger Projectiles, and Flash Reduction in Ger Proplnts, Vol 6, F96-L to F99-L... 

Fig. 190. Muzzle flame I—primary flame, 2—secondary flame, 5—initiation of the...

In order to eliminate the muzzle flame and reduce erosion, usually hydrocarbons, resins, fatty acids and their esters, and nitro derivatives of aromatics esters with low nitration level are added into the explosive. 

It should be noted that both KNO3 and K2SO4 are useful additives for eliminating the luminous flame generated at a rocket nozzle and also for suppressing the formation of muzzle flash generated at the exit of a gun barrel. The potassium atoms generated in the gun barrel by the decomposition of these potassium salts are believed to act as a flame retardant. 

The resulting explosion shatters the projectile body and disperses WP. Contact with the air ignites spontaneously WP, producing dense white smoke and flaming particles. Muzzle velocity 2500fps and max range 19910... 

Flame, Muzxle. See Muzzle Flash, under Flash Reducing Compounds... 

These propellants also contain nitroglycerine (NG) in addition to NC and the proportion of NG depends on the performance desired from double-base (DB) propellants. DB propellants are more energetic than SB propellants and have Q value between 3300 and 5200Jg 1. There are two disadvantages in the use of DB propellants higher erosion of the gun-barrel as a result of higher flame temperatures and presence of a muzzle flash which discloses the location of the gun. DB propellants are used in pistols, mortars, rockets and missiles. 

The primary flame in the form of a dark-red taper is created by inflammable gases escaping from the bore. These gases mix with the air to form an inflammable mixture. If the temperature of the mixture is sufficiently high, it ignites at the end furthest from the muzzle (Fig. 190). 

It is probable that the word firearm originated from the flame produced at the muzzle end (muzzle flash) when a firearm is discharged the muzzle is the front part where the bullet emerges from the barrel (Photograph 1.1). 

Muzzle flash is the appearance of a flame at the muzzle of a barrel or a tube during the shot. The flash is a secondary effect which takes place when the still flammable explosion gases (CO, H2) become mixed with air on emerging from the barrel. 

Even now, in the stillness of death, the huge jaws seemed to be dripping with bluish flame, and the small, deep-set, cruel eyes were ringed with fire. I placed my hand upon the glowing muzzle, and as I held them up my own fingers smouldered and gleamed in the darkness. 

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