Methods for Improving the Flowability of a Percussion Primer Composition.

摘要

An important requirement in automatic powder filling systems is for the powder or granular material to possess uniform and free flowing properties. The powder must possess the ability to flow, for example, from a storage vessel into the required container in a manner which results in a reproducible mixture of ingredients and filling weight and at an acceptable production rate. These requirements are particularly important when the dry powder is an energetic material. Production operations involving energetic materials are frequently conducted remotely to reduce the potential hazards to personnel. However, if an energetic dry powder does not flow adequately, filling operations must be conducted manually, increasing the hazard to personnel and the cost of production. A second requirement, alluded to above, is that mixtures must retain integrity and not separate into individual components. A vibrating hopper was used to evaluate and determine methods for improvement of the flowability of the percussion primer composition MRL(X) 408. The flowability was enhanced by granulation using both water and binder systems and using flow modifiers (silicon dioxide). Addition of binders reduced the sensitivity of the composition and, when filled with primers, increased the value of peak pressure and the rise time to peak pressure. (kt)