METHOD FOR PRODUCING ECOLOGICAL EXPLOSIVE FOR PRIMER COMPOSITIONS OF AMMUNITION

Abstract

The invention discloses a method for producing ecological primary explosive - basic bismuth(III) salt of 5,5′-bis-azotetrazole and its using in ecological mixture for primer compositions of ammunition.

Claims

1. Method for producing ecological explosive—basic bismuth(III) salt of 5,5″-bis-azotetrazole, for primer compositions of ammunition, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a. preparation of 0.01 to 0.1 M solution of bismuth(III) alkane sulphonate in distilled/demineralized water; b. adjustment of pH of the prepared solution to a value around pH=2.5 by titration with 1-5 N solution of hydroxide of alkali metal; c. heating of thus treated solution to the boiling temperature followed by precipitation with 3-5% by weight of aqueous solution of 5,5″-azotetrazolate of alkali metal, relative to weight of azotetrazolate, under intensive stirring; d. heating of the formed suspension at the boiling temperature for at least 3 min; e. leaving the suspension containing the precipitate to cool down to room temperature under stirring for a necessary period of time and then leaving it to stand overnight; f. filtration of the suspension through a filter, washing of the precipitate with distilled/demineralized water, and dehydration with an organic solvent miscible with water; g. drying of the amorphous deep yellow basic bismuth(III) salt of 5,5″-bis-azotetrazole at room or elevated temperature.

2. Method for producing ecological explosive according to claim 1, characterized in that bismuth(III) alkane sulphonate is bismuth (III) methane sulphonate.

3. Method for producing ecological explosive according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydroxide of alkali metal is sodium hydroxide.

4. Method for producing ecological explosive according to claim 1, characterized in that 5,5″-azotetrazolate of alkali metal is sodium 5,5-bis-azotetrazolate.

5. Ecological explosive for primer compositions of ammunition—basic bismuth(III) salt of 5,5″-bis-azotetrazole, characterized in that it is amorphous, no hydroscopic, stable when exposed to sunlight, and it does not react with atmospheric gases nor with materials used in the ammunition production.

6. Ignition ecological mixture containing ecological explosive according to claim 5 for primer compositions of ammunition, characterized in that it contains: 30 to 60% by weight of basic bismuth(III) salt of 5,5″-bis-azotetrazole; 15 to 40% by weight of energetic component; 8 to 25% by weight of at least one frictionator; to 30% by weight of pyrotechnic system consisting of oxidizer and fuel.

7. Ignition ecological mixture for primer compositions of ammunition according to claim 6, characterized in that frictionator is ground glass, energetic component is 5,5-bis tetrazolylhydrazine, oxidizer is potassium nitrate or bismuth oxides, fuel is amorphous boron or powdered titanium.

8. Ignition ecological mixture for primer compositions for central fire ammunition according to claim 6, characterized in that it contains: 40% by weight of basic bismuth(III) 5,5″-bis-azotetrazolate; 30% by weight of 5,5-bis-tetrazolylhydrazine; 10% by weight of ground glass; 20% by weight of mixture of potassium nitrate and boron in the ratio by weight of 75/25.

9. Ignition ecological mixture for primer compositions for rim fire ammunition according to claim 6 characterized in that it contains: 40% by weight of basic bismuth(III) 5,5″-bis-azotetrazolate; 20% by weight of 5,5-bis tetrazolylhydrazine; 20% by weight of ground glass; 20% by weight of mixture of potassium nitrate and boron in the ratio by weight of 75/25.

Description

EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENT

Example 1

[0053] The method of producing basic Bi salt of 5,5′-bis-azotetrazole (BBA)—according to the invention: [0054] The vessel of volume 150 l provided with a high-speed propeller stirrer, equipped with jacket for heating and cooling, and two graduated flasks for dosing solutions, a thermometer, and a pH meter—is charged with 4.2 litre of 1 M solution of methane sulphonate of Bi and the solution is diluted with distilled water to volume 80-90 l. Under constant stirring, 0.1% aqueous solution of the indicator (Methanil yellow—Acid yellow 36) is drop-wise added until the solution has a markedly wine colour, and the mixture is titrated with 2-4 N NaOH to deep yellow colour (this corresponds to pH 2.5—check with indicator+possibly pH-meter). The resulting solution is heated to boil and, under intensive stirring, precipitation is carried out with 15 litres of 4% solution of sodium 5,5-azotetrazolate. After the precipitation is completed, the reaction suspension is boiled for additional about 5 minutes, heating is stopped, and the stirred suspension is cooled down to room temperature within additional 2-3 hours. The product is allowed to settle freely and the settled-down product is left standing overnight. Final pH of the mother solution should be within the range of 3-3.5. The suspension is sucked off on a filter (the filtration paper should have max. pore diameter 1-2 mcr), thoroughly washed with distilled water, and subsequently dehydrated with an organic solvent miscible with water (alcohol or acetone); after suction-off, the product is dried at room or elevated temperature of up to 100° C. Subsequently, the product—basic Bi salt of 5,5′-bis-azotetrazole, is prepared for using.

Example 2

[0055] For constituting the composition (ignition ecological mixture) for central fire ammunition, the ecological initiating explosive—BBA produced according to example 1—was mixed with BTH, a pyrotechnical system (namely the oxidizer—potassium nitrate (KNO.sub.3) and the fuel—boron (B) in the weight ratio 75/25) and frictionator—ground glass with weight percentage as stated below, by commonly known procedures, such as mixing, granulation, drying.

[0056] Percentage of the components according to the invention: for central fire ammunition.

TABLE-US-00001 BBA 40% by weight BTH 30% by weight BK (KNO3 + B − 75/25) 20% by weight Ground glass 10% by weight

Example 3

[0057] Similarly, for constituting the composition (ignition ecological mixture) for rim fire ammunition, the ecological initiating explosive—BBA produced according to example 1—was mixed with BTH, the pyrotechnical system identical with example 2, and the frictionator—ground glass in weight percentage, as stated below, by commonly known procedures, such as mixing, granulation, drying.

[0058] Percentage of the components according to the invention: for rim fire ammunition

TABLE-US-00002 BBA 40% by weight BTH 20% by weight BK 20% by weight Ground glass 20% by weight

[0059] The formed compositions (ignition ecological mixtures) according to example 2 and example 3 were than tested in a primer cup 4.4 SP and 5.3 in stab sensitivity test apparatus and in 9 mm Luger and 5.56×45 cartridges; both ballistic and functional tests were than carried out. The tests unambiguously proved that the ammunition fitted with these primers were fully comparable with the ammunition provided with primers based on a composition of the type NEROXIN.

[0060] The composition also showed satisfactory sensitivity in rim fire cartridges 22.LR.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0061] New ecological primary explosive according to the invention will be applicable in all types of ignition compositions for primers for ammunition—both in central and rim fire ammunition where it will fully replace lead trinitroresorcinate. Thanks to highly stable burning, it will also find application in electric fuses and squibs.

[0062] In relation to ecology, the initiating explosive itself or wastes from the method of its production have no loading effect whatsoever on the environment due to the fact that both the starting compounds and the products are environmentally friendly and the main resulting product—basic bismuth(III) salt of 5,5′-bis-azotetrazole (BBA), is moreover insoluble in water (even boiling),diluted acids and all known organic solvents!

[0063] The starting methane sulphonic acid is a natural component and a part of the eco-system. Thanks to all extreme positive physico-chemical properties in relation to the environment, this acid is called “green acid”.