White phosphorus, plasticized

Plasticized white phosphorus (PWP) was found to be the most promising development for control of the fragmentation of P and pillaring of die smoke. It consists of an intimate mixt of granulated WF in a viscous rubber soin. The material burns more slowly and the particles... 

There are also smoke projectiles which contain PWP (plastic white phosphorus), as, for example the 4.2-inch Mortar Projectile M2 Series, described in Ref 52, pp 4-46 ... 

PWP, Plasticized White Phosphorus. A finely divided WP suspended in gel of rubber and xylene. It is a smoke producing agent vrith side incendiary effects. Its action is similar to WP except that it is slower burning(Ref 36,p 29-41 Ref 54a,p 68). Both PWP and WP are Class C chemical agents Q. A chemical agent of specialized application (Ref 54a,p 68)(Its formula is secret)... 

Notwithstanding its deficiencies as an incendiary, phosphorus has a certain tactical value because of the power of obscuration caused by the volatility of its final combustion product, phosphorus pentoxide (PgOs), the spontaneous re-ignitibility of doused, unburned residues, and the severity of the wounds caused by burning phosphorus when it comes in contact with human skin. Its burning properties can be improved by mixing it with synthetic (GRS) rubber, a mixture called plasticized white phosphorus (PWP). ... 

Benjamin C. Macintire, Navy 5-inch Smoke Projectile, WP-Filled, Engineering Tests. EATR 338, 8 Apr 41. (2) H. F. Johnsron, Plasticized White Phosphorus, in Military Problems with Aerosols and Nonpersistent Gases. Summary Tech Rpt of Div 10, NDRC (Washington, 1946). (3) Noyes, Chemistry, pp. 277-78. (4) CWTC Item 1514, Standardization of Screening Smoke, PWP, 20 Dec 45. 

PWP Plasticized white phosphorus, granules of white phosphorus suspended... 

In plastic crystals all or a part of the molecules rotate about their centers of gravity. Typically, plastic crystals are formed by nearly spherical molecules, for example hexafluorides like SF6 or MoF6 or white phosphorus in a temperature range immediately below the melting point. Such crystals often are soft and can be easily deformed. 

About 6 oz of WP (white phosphorus) enclosed in a plastic bag is placed behind the dome and ahead of PT1. When the bomb strikes a target, the fuze functions and sets off... 

Similarly, a 10- or 20-ft length of rigid plastic pipe can be used to excavate an ordnance item with a stream of water operated from behind sand bags. Another larger hose can pump out the mud and water from the hole. This is particularly useful for white phosphorus incendiary shells. Buried and presumably set anti-personnel land mines can also be excavated this way. This is a much safer way than with a bayonet, as was once the preferred technique. In arid areas, air pressure can be substituted for water. The pressure of air or water can be lowered as the excavation gets closer to the item. 

In a 2-1., three-necked, round-bottomed flask (Note 1) fitted with a sealed stirrer having a Teflon blade and, on the two side necks, with gas-outlet tubes connected by rubber or plastic tubing to an etficient hydrogen chloride absorption trap (Note 2), 464 g. (2 moles) of D,L-10-camphorsulfonic acid (Note 3) is mixed with 416 g. (2 moles) of phosphorus pentachloride (Note 4). The flask is immersed in ice water and, as soon as the mixture has liquefied sufficiently, the stirrer is started but must be run slowly at first because of lumps. When the vigorous reaction has subsided, the cooling bath is removed and stirring continued until the chloride is completely dissolved (Note 5). The mixture is then allowed to stand for 3 or 4 hours. It is poured Hood ) onto 500 g. of crushed ice contained in a 2-1. beaker. This mixture is immediately poured into a second beaker containing a similar quantity of crushed ice. The mixture is then poured back and forth between the two beakers until all evidence of reaction has disappeared (Note 6). The fine white product is collected on a... 

Five and twenty-three hundredths grams of germanium(IV) oxide (0.05 mol) is dissolved in 15 ml. of a concentrated aqueous solution of hydrofluoric acid (47 %). A platinum evaporating dish or a polyethylene plastic beaker is used to keep silicon contamination to a minimum. A solution of 10.5 g. of barium chloride (0.05 mol) in 50 ml. of water is added. Barium hexafluorogermanate forms as a white, granular precipitate, which is filtered and washed free of chloride. The product is dried by heating to 300° in vacuo and is stored in a desiccator over phosphorus(V) oxide. The yield is 15.24 g. (94%). 

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