Propellants, mortar

The weapon and chassis came through this initial test with moderate success. The mortar mount suffered some damage and the blast effect against the sides of the vehicle proved exceedingly uncomfortable to the gun crew. But it appears that little subsequent use was made of the self-propelled mortar. Its size and silhouette precluded emplacement where close support weapons were needed. And any weapon which attracted too much enemy fire was not popular with the infantry. ... 

Solventless Extrusion Process. The solvendess process for making double-base propellants has been used ia the United States primarily for the manufacture of rocket propellant grains having web thickness from ca 1.35 to 15 cm and for thin-sheet mortar (M8) propellant. The process offers such advantages as minimal dimensional changes after extmsion, the elimination of the drying process, and better long-term baUistic uniformity because there is no loss of volatile solvent. The composition and properties of typical double-base solvent extmded rocket and mortar propellant are Hsted ia Table... 

Refs 1) Anon, Field Maintenance 60-mm Mortars M2 and M19 , TM 9-3071-1 (Jan 1958) 2) Anon, Organizational Maintenance M577 Mortar, 107-mm, Self Propelled , TM 9-2300-224-20 (Dec 1961) 3) Collier s Encycl 2... 

As stated, the major uses for these proplnts are for small arms ammo, mortar shells and artillery shells up to 280mm. They are also used as the propelling charge in naval guns... 

Double-based propellants are a mixture of nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine. This mixture increases the pressure of the gas inside the gun barrel. Double-base propellants are used in pistols and mortars. Some disadvantages of using double-base propellants is the erosion that this mixture causes to the gun barrel due to higher burn temperatures and the presence of muzzle flash. 

PA PCP PCR PFA PGB PHA PID PLC PMACWA PMD POTW ppm PRH PRR psi psig PTFE PVDF PWS picric acid pentachlorophenol propellant collection reactor perfluoroalkoxy product gas burner preliminary hazards analysis proportional integral differential controller programmable logic control Program Manager for Assembled Chemical Weapons Assessment projectile mortar demilitarization (machine) publicly owned treatment works parts per million projectile rotary hydrolyzer propellant removal room pounds per square inch pounds per square inch gauge polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) polyvinylidene fluoride projectile washout system... 

Of these, the most successful appeared in 1887 when Alfred Nobel patented a nitrocellulose propellant plasticised with nitroglycerine. Known as a double-base propellant, it is virtually smokeless, with a very high specific impulse as compared to gunpowder. Single-base propellants were developed in 1865 and 1890 by Schultz and Vieille respectively and these took the form of gelatinised nitrocellulose for use in firearms and mortars. 

MINE A firework that is fired from a mortar and which contains a single propellant charge and pyrotechnic units or a firework in which the case of the firework serves as the mortar. 

SHELL A hrework designed to be projected from a mortar tube and containing propellant charge, delay fuse, burster and pyrotechnic units. 

The red end must be assembled adjacent to the primer (Ref 42, p 86). Ignition cartridge is inserted into fin assembly ahead of the primer. The shaft, in turn, is screwed into the base of projectile, which is made either from pearlitic malleable iron or from steel. Propellant M9 [ See Vol 2, p C35, Table VI (Ref 44)] charge consists of several increments sealed in individual cellophane bags (usually four for 60-min mortars and up to nine for 81-mm weapons). The bags are placed either between or within the blades of fins. 

In Section 3 are described components used for initiating propellants in small arms ammunition and in artillery ammunition. Also included are some initiators for military demolitions and for pyrotechnic items. In order to understand more clearly the function of iniators in ammunition, cutaway views of complete rounds (which includes cartridges and projectiles) of "fixed" and "semifixed ammunition are given in Vol 1 of Encycl (Ref 43), p A385-L, under "AMMUNITION." Section 3 gives also description of initiation of propellant charges in mortars, together with cutaway views of 60-mm, 81-mm and 4.2-inch mortar rounds... 

Vol 2 (1963), "Information Pertaining to Propelling Charges 45c) Ibid, Vol 3 (1964), "Artillery, Armor Defeat and Mortar Fuzes, PD, BD.PIBD and Time (Pyrotechnic Type) 45d) Ibid, Vol 4 (1964), "Explosive Components . It includes ... 

Type 97 Hand Grenade had a cylindrical, serrated, cast iron or aluminum body, 4 by 2 inches, contg powdered TNT. It was similar to Type 91 except that the base of Type 97 was solid and could not take a propelling charge which is required for conversion to Rifle or Mortar Type. Therefore, it could only be used as a Hand Grenade Delay 4—5 seconds (Ref 1, p 195 Ref 2, p 226 with Fig 170)... 

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