Percussion primer compositions

In 1805 the Reverend Alexander Forsyth used mercury fulminate as the basis of his primer composition, and from this time the percussion system developed into today s highly reliable, universally used, percussion primer compositions. This development which started in 1805 still continues today, and manufacturers are very reluctant to release details of their compositions. 

Uses In combination with mercury fulminate and potassium chlorate as fuel component in percussion primer compositions. This mixture provides a more prolonged blow and a bigger flame than can be given by mercury fulminate alone. In incendiary projectiles, P5. As rust-inhibitor in smokeless powder, P17. 

Uses In place of potassium chlorate in percussion primer compositions, with the object of prodneing noncorrosive primers, P4. Also in pyrotechnic compositions, in blasting explosives, and in some componnd propellants. See Double-Base Powders, E. C. Powder, Poudre B. N., Tonite, Strontium Nitrate, F8. 

Uses As fuel component in percussion primer compositions, P4,30,36. 

Davis (1943), 400-53 (Primary expls, detonators and primers) 453-54 (Friction primers) 454-58 (Percussion primers) 9a) D. Hart, "Compilation of Data on the Composition of Foreign Igniters and Tracers",... 

Method No 209. Primer Mix in the M29A1 Percussion Primer, used in artillery fuzes. US Military Specification MIL-P-2496D(1967) requirements Moisture, max 0.30% and Composition TNT, Sb sulfide, Pb thiocyanate K chlorate. Percentages of ingredients are not given Procedures ... 

Section 200 (Methods 201 to 212). Specification of Multiple Component Primer Compositions Fuze Powder Primer Mix, (JS Standard Primer Mix, New No 4 Primer Mix, MK V Primer Mix, No 70 Primer Mix, PA100 Primer Mix, NOL No 130 Primer Mix, M3 Ignition Cartridge Primer Mix, M29 Percussion Primer Priming Composition, Lead Starter Type RDX Booster Pellets and Tetryl Booster Pellets... 

Many of the compositions suitable for use in Percussion Primers (such as listed in Ref 3, pp D792-R to D805-R) may be ignited not only by percussion but also by frictioa. 

For many years the standard mixture in France for all caps which were to be fired by the blow of a hammer was made from 2 parts of mercury fulminate, 1 of antimony sulfide, and 1 of saltpeter. This was mixed and loaded dry, and was considered to be safer to handle than similar mixtures containing potassium chlorate. Where a more sensitive primer was needed, the standard French composition for all concussion and percussion primers of fuzes was made from 5 parts of mercury fulminate and 9 parts each of antimony sulfide and potassium chlorate. 

It is accepted by most writers that Reverend Forsyth s percussion priming composition was based on mercury fulminate. However, there is some respected opinion which suggests his composition was made up of wax-coated pellets of potassium chlorate mixed with combustible materials, and that it was not until 1831 that mercury fulminate was widely used as the explosive ingredient in primer compositions.46,47... 

Stab initiators are used in military systems such as small mechanical fuses where very little mechanical energy is available because of weight limitations and the small dimensions of the springs. Stab detonators use the same ignition mix, or priming composition, as many percussion primers do. Some of these are listed Table 23.2. 

Cups, Percussion or Primer and Cops. They are small metallic cups (or caps) contg primer compositions which are covered with ap er disc, and a metallic anvil" (See Vol 1, p A473-L). These cups are part of "explosive trains". On firing a weapon, the base of the cup is struck by the firing pin of the percussion lock. This action ign ites by impact the primer mixt in the ci ) producing a flash, which in turn ignites either the proplnt (if the cup is part of a primer used in a propellant train), or the primer mixt of a detonator or delay element (if the cup is part of a primer used in an artillery ammunition train)... 

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. ... 

Primer (a common version is the percussion primer) A term for the device used to ignite smokeless powder in small arms ammunition or other propellant applications. An impact-sensitive composition is typically used. When struck by a metal firing pin, a primer emits a burst of flame and hot particulates capable of rapidly igniting the propellant charge. Several typical primer mixtures are given in Table 7.2. 

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