Lead-Free Initiator Materials for Small Electro-Explosive Devices for Medium Caliber Munitions: Final Report 04 June 2003

摘要

Concerns over the hazard to health of using lead-containing initiatory compounds, both in their manufacture and use, has led to investigations on both sides of the Atlantic to identify suitable compounds, either known or novel and free of lead and other heavy metals, which could be used as replacements. Such compounds, broadly subdivided into those similar to lead azide (i.e. detonants) and those similar to lead styphnate (primary explosives), should possess similar characteristics (sensitiveness, explosiveness, stability etc.) to the particular compound they were required to replace. A survey report, based on open literature available world-wide and certain UK classified information, was published by QinetiQ in 1998 and identified twenty front-running candidate compounds. Work has been progressed with funding from US SERDP (Strategic Environmental Research AND Development Program) under the pollution prevention programme, where the synthesis and preliminary evaluation of eight of the front-running compounds, four similar to lead azide and four similar to lead styphnate, was undertaken. In this work, of 12 months' duration, sufficient hazard and functional data were obtained to enable an assessment to be made with recommendations for compounds in the detonant category to be put forward for larger scale testing and ultimate incorporation into medium-large caliber ordnance systems. The two suitable candidates in the detonant category were both silver salts. In the primary explosive (i.e. lead styphnate replacement) category all of the candidates had shortcomings resulting in a need for further work to be done. Suggestions are made for future work in this area. The two lead azide replacement (i.e. detonant) candidates will be assessed rigorously for their environmental acceptability. From this assessment a recommendation as to whether they, or alternative cashortcomings of the compounds studied here and be suitable to meet.