Nontoxic primers

In conventional ammunition lead, antimony, and barium are emitted when the ammunition is discharged. These three elements are undesirable from a health viewpoint and pose a major problem for firearms instructors in indoor firing ranges, as they are exposed to an unhealthy environment each working day. To solve this problem Dynamit Nobel AG developed a nontoxic primer composition called Sintox. Lead styphnate is replaced by 2-diazo-4,6-dinitrophenol (diazole) and the barium nitrate and antimony sulfide are replaced by a mixture of zinc peroxide and titanium metal powder. 

Primers could be grouped into six categories (a) corrosive and mercuric (potassium chlorate and mercury fulminate), (b) noncorrosive and mercuric (barium nitrate replaced potassium chlorate), (c) corrosive and nonmercuric (lead styphnate replaced mercury fulminate), (d) noncorrosive, nonmercuric (modern Sinoxyd type), (e) unusual/miscellaneous primer compositions, and (0 recent nontoxic primers (Sintox). 

MIO is nontoxic, it is more environmentally acceptable than the lead and chromate based paints which are used to provide chemical protection in other anticorrosion paints and primers (Etzrodt, 1933). The highest quality (with respect to the flatness of the particles, aspect ratio, etc.) MIO comes from the mine at Waldenstein in Austria (Producer Karntner Montanindustrie), but there are also mines in Spain, South Africa and Western Australia. The supply of highest quality MIO, which used to be mined in Devon in England, was exhausted during the 1970s. This was one of the factors which prompted the U.K. workers to seek a method of making synthetic MIO (Carter, 1988 see Chapter 20). 

Chem. Descrip. Basic zinc phosphate hydrate, organic treated Chem. Analysis 55.5% Zn, 38.5% PO4 CAS 7779-90-0 EINECS/ELINCS 231-143-9 Uses Corrosion inhibitor, pigment for primers and single-coat applies. Properties Wh. 3 m avg. particle size 0.01% 32 m sieve residue dens. 3.5 g/ml bulk dens. 1.1 g/ml (lapped) oil absorp. 20 pH 7 Toxicology Nontoxic Heucophos ZPZ [Heucotech Ltd]... 

Description The only water-based urethane epoxy encapsulant. Mixed by customer. Very thin coating. Separate primer and encapsulant for outside surfaces. Training is required by manufacturer before use, both to ensure safety and to validate the 20-year guarantee. Safety/precautions No volatile chemicals, nontoxic, noncaustic, nonacidic, nonflammable. Environmentally and worker safe. 

Description Acrylic elastomeric resin encapsulant no primer required. For interior or exterior use (not for exterior use in Massachusetts). Satin finish, white or pastel colors. No mixing required, unless tinting. At least two coats to achieve required (14-16 mm) dry film thickness. Safety/precautions Nontoxic, includes anti-ingestant. 

Description 100% acrylic environmentally advanced protective coatings for interior and exterior use. Class A, fire resistant, no toxic effluent, U. L. listed, water-based, nontoxic, low VOC. Products fully compatible to form composite systems. Line includes a primer for reintacting damaged paint, a primer for rust or over metal, acrylic caulk, topcoat, and scrim reinforcement fabric. 

Zirconium and its alloys are nontoxic and compatible with bodily fluids and thus are used in making surgical implants and prosthetic devices. The high oxygen affinity of the divided metal powder allow zirconium to be used as a getter in vacuum tubes or in photoflash bulbs or explosive primers. On the other hand, it is used as an alloying agent in steel. Other applications include the manufacture of rayon spinnerets and lamp filaments. 

Although use of several metallic salts of 4,6-DNBF is protected by patent literature (e.g., barium salt [39]) only the potassium salt has been practically used in explosion initiating compositiOTis. It has been reported in both military and commercial applications in the USA since the early 1950s [40]. The potassium salt has been proposed as a nontoxic replacement of lead styphnate for primers for hunting and sporting ammunition [16],... 

Primers are typically supplied as dilute solutions in nonflammable, nontoxic solvents and applied by spraying or brushing onto the substrate. 

Faux patinas. Patina paints are meant to create a patinalike visual effect on metal. One useful technique is to lightly sponge turquoise paint over bronze primer. No paint will give the full effect of a real metal patina, but it s always good to have a nontoxic paint alternative. 

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