United States Patent Office
Paiented Nov. 20, 1956
2,771,351
PROPELLANT
Raymond S. Holmes, Hamden, Conn., and Byron C. Bai
dridge, East Alton, and John J. O'Neill, Jr., Aiton, Ill.,
and Charles Earnest Sik, Stamford, Conn., assignors
to Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, a corpora
tion of Virginia
No Drawing. Application May 10, 1956,
Serial No. 583,900
28 Claims. (C. 52-13)
This invention relates generally to explosives and
more particularly to a propellant.
This application is a continuation application of our
copending applications Serial No. 360,593 and Serial No.
360,594, filed June 9, 1953.
Propellent grains having various shapes and chemicai
composition have been proposed, heretofore, for caliber
.30 and larger caliber cartridges but none of them have
been found entirely suitable in practice. Of these various
types of propellants, tubular propellent grains having
dinitrotoluene coating on the grain have the least number
of disadvantages and, consequently, grains of this type
have been utilized almost exclusively in such cartridges.
These grains are eminently suitable for the purpose except
for the fact that the accuracy and efficiency of the projec
tile is no longer acceptable after a relatively small num
ber of cartridges have been fired in a machine gun or
other rapid firing guns. This decrease in accuracy has
been found to be due to the inner wall of the barrel sub
stantially adjacent the breech being eroded or otherwise
damaged by the gases developed by the explosion of the
propellant. Heretofore, the only remedy for this condi
tion has been to cease firing and change the gun barrel,
which is of disadvantage to the operator and has not al
leviated the disadvantage of short barrel life.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide
a novel propellent charge for rapid-firing guns. Another
object of the invention is to provide a propellant which
has improved ballistic properties in guns of caliber .30 or
larger caliber. Still another object of the invention is
to provide a propellant for caliber. .30 and larger sized
cartridges having improved barrel erosion characteristics.
A further object is to provide a method for making pro
pellant suitable for utilization in machine guns and other
rapid-fire guns of caliber .30 and larger calibers.
The foregoing objects as well as others which will be
come apparent from the following description are accom
plished, generally stated, by providing propellent powder
grains whose surface area and web are coordinated
with the chemical composition thereof in such a way that
cartridges loaded therewith have improved gun barrel
erosion characteristics. More specifically, this invention
contemplates cartridges of caliber .30 and larger calibers
having a propellent charge composed essentially of pro
pellent grains having a surface area within the range of
from about 10 square centimeters per gram thereof to
about 84 square centimeters per gram thereof, having
a web between about 0.015 inch and about 0.070 inch
and having a deterrent localized near the surface of the
grain in the region extending from each surface not more
than about one-sixth of the web. Not less than about 3
percent deterrent based on the weight of the propellent
grain is required and the deterrent must have a heat of
explosion constant of less than -200 calories per gram.
For most practical purposes, however, deterrents having
a heat of explosion of as low as about -1000 to about
- 2500 are preferred, although as stated hereinbefore,
deterrents having a heat of explosion of as high as -200
2,771,351
2
calories per gram can be utilized. Ordinarily not more
than about 15 percent of the preferred class of deter
rents will be required for most propellants for cartridges
larger than caliber .30.
Caliber .30 propellent charges must have a surface
area within the range of from about 75 square centi
meters to about 84 square centimeters per gram thereof.
Not less than about 3 percent based on the weight of
the propellent grain of deterrent and ordinarily not more
10 than about 12 percent deterrent having a heat of ex
plosion constant of less than -200 calories per gram
are required for caliber .30 propellant charges. The
web of the caliber .30 propellent grains must be within
the range of from about 0.015 inch to about 0.025 inch
5 and the deterrent must be dispersed in that region of the
grain not more than about one-sixth of the web of the
grain. Propellants for calibers larger than caliber .30
have a web of from about 0.015 of an inch to about
0.07 of an inch and a surface area of from about 10
20 Square centimeters to about 74 square centimeters.
The propellent grains may be shaped by extruding
partially or completely colioided nitrocellulose through
a die and cutting the resulting rod to the required length
to provide charges having a surface area of from about
10 square centimeters to about 84 square centimeters
per gram. Propellent grains for calibers larger than
caliber .30 having a surface area of from about 10 square
centimeters to about 74 square centimeters may be formed
into a globular shape by any suitable process such as,
30 for example, the process disclosed by Schaefer in U. S.
Patent 2,160,626 or may be formed by any other suitable
process. The extruded powder grains may or may not
have one or more perforations therein provided the
specific surface is within the specified range and the
35 deterrent is localized as specified hereinbefore.
The process disclosed by McBride in U. S. 1,955,927
has been found to be particularly advantageous for
properly locating the deterrent in the grain. However,
merely properly locating the deterrent in the grain when
40 it is applied thereto is not sufficient. A deterrent must
be utilized which will remain confined within that region
of the propellent grain to which it is applied when the
propellant is exposed to any storage or weather condition
under which the other components of a cartridge are
stable. Any non-migratory deterrent having a heat of
explosion constant of less than -200 calories per gram
can be utilized such as dialkyl phthalates like dibutyl
phthalate and diainyl phthalate; diaryl phthalates such
as diphenylphthalate; triphenyl phosphate, butyl Stearate,
diaryl dialkylureas such as diethyl diphenyl urea, meth
ylethyl diphenyl urea and dimethyl diphenyl urea; butyl
ricinoleate, glycerol sebacate, tricresyl phosphate and the
like.
“Web' is used herein and in the appended claims in
55
its usual sense. For instance, the web is the minimum
thickness between parallel surfaces insofar as solid or
perforated grains are concerned; web is the diameter of
a sphere; or web is the minimum distance through the
60
center of an ellipsoidal or similar shaped grain Such as,
for example, the type of grain usually obtained when
spherical grains are compressed between rolls. Hence,
the web of a tubular grain may be the minimum dis
tance between the wall bounding a perforation and an
other surface of the grain or it may be the distance be
65 tween two external surfaces of the grain depending upon
which distance is the smaller and the word web is used
herein in its usual sense in the art.
The “heat of explosion” constant of the constituents
70 of powder grains is a well-known term in the industry
and has been determined from the heat of combustion
of the material utilizing calculations involving the for
 2,771,351
3.
mulae published by de Pauw in articles in "Zeitschrift is within the range of about 55 to about 72 square centi
fur das gesamte Schiess- und Sprengstoffwesen” volume meters per gram thereof, the web is about 0.016 inch to
32, pp. 11, 36 and 60 (1937). Actually, the value as
signed as the heat of explosion of deterrents is a constant
which represents the effect of the material on the heat
given off upon firing of the explosive constituents of the
grain.
This constant can also be determined experimentally.
In Such a method, a dried sample of a propellent powder
not having any deterrent in its composition is burned in
an adiabatic calorimeter bomb having a nitrogen atmos
phere therein and the heat of combustion is measured
by conventional procedures. Another dried sample of
propellant substantially identical with the one utilized in
the foregoing with the exception that a known amount
of deterrent is incorporated in the grain is then burned
in the bornb and the heat of combustion determined.
The difference between the heat of cornbustion of the
untreated propellant and the treated propellant divided
by the weight of the deterrent is designated the heat of
explosion of the deterrent. Thus the heat of explosion
constant of a deterrent is a measurement of the effect
of the deterrent on the explosion temperature of a pro
pellent base material. For example, to determine the
heat of explosion of dibutylphthalate a dried sample
of a propellant composed essentially of about 90 percent
nitrocellulose and about 10 percent nitroglycerine was
burned in a calorimeter bomb having a nitrogen atmos
phere. Then another sample of this propellant treated
in accordance with this invention to contain about 7 per
cent dibutylphthalate was burned under similar condi
tions. The heat of explosion of the propellant without
deterrent was found to be 1070 calories per gram of
propellant burned, while the heat of explosion of the
propellant including the deterrent was found to be 840
calories per gram of propellant burned. Inasmuch as
93 percent of the grain was nitrocellulose and nitroglycer
ine base material the heat due to the burning of this por
tion of the charge of propellant having a deterrent should
have been (93X1070) cr 994 calories. Subtracting 840
calories which was actually obtained in the test from 994
calories leaves 154 calories difference per gram between
the heat of explosion between the two propellants. This
decrease is due to the deterrent since it was the only
variable. There was only .07 gram of dibutylphthalate
per gram of propellant so 154 must be divided by .07
to determine the effect of the deterrent on propellants
in terms of grams of deterrent. In other words each
gram of dibutylphthalate will reduce the heat of explo
sion of a propellant about 2200 calories. In order to
indicate that it reduces the heat of explosion of the pro
pellant, the number is referred to as a negative number.
Hence the heat of explosion of dibutylphthalate is about
-2200 calories per gram.
In accordance with the well known methods for utiliz 55 rifling of the bore of the gun barrel than are similar
ing deterrents and energizers or energizing modifiers to
obtain the desired ballistic effects with nitrocellulose pro
pellants, the deterrent may be adjusted within the range
of from 3 percent to about 15 percent to obtain the bal 60 guns and similar cartridges except for the propellant
listics essential for the particular caliber and, if neces
sary or if desired to produce particular ballistic effects,
an energizer, such as nitroglycerine, may also be incor
porated in the propellent grain. Usually, from about
10 to about 20 percent of a liquid nitric ester of a poly
hydric alcohol such as, for example, nitroglycerine or 65 of a barrel of a similar gun in which cartridges were fired
nitroglycol is sufficient energizer for most double base
powders.
The propellent grains of this invention have approxi
mately twice the surface area of conventional perforated In 29, 1940 by the War Department of the United States
grains heretofore utilized. For example, heretofore, pro
pellent grains containing dinitrotoluene having a surface
area of about 29 square centimeters per gram of propel
lent and a web of about 0.021 inch have been utilized in
caliber .50 cartridges. The surface area of embodiments
of this invention suitable for caliber .50, on the other hand, 75 decreased more than 200 feet per second.
4.
about 0.023 inch and the grain contains about 6 to about 10
percent non-migratory deterrent having a negative heat of
explosion of less than about -200 localized in the region
extending inwardly about one-sixth of the web from each
surface of the grain. The heretofore conventional pro
pellent grains containing dinitrotoluene utilized in caliber
.60 have a web of about 0.028 inch and a surface area of
10 about 23 square centimeters per gram while embodiments
of this invention suitable for caliber .60 have a web of
about 0.022 inch to about 0.028 inch, a surface area of
about 45 square centimeters to about 60 square centi
meters per gram thereof, and contain in the specified
5 region of the grain from about 6 to about 10 percent by
weight of one of the deterrents of the class described here
inbefore. The commercially available 20 millimeter pro
pellant has had a surface area of about 25 square centi
meters per gram and a web of about 0.027 inch while
embodiments of this invention having a surface area from
about 35 to about 55 square centimeters per gram, a web
of from about 0.025 to about 0.032 inch and containing
in the specified region of the grain from about 6 to about
10 percent of one of the class of deterrents of this in
25 vention are best suited for 20 millimeter cartridges. Here
tofore, 90 millimeter propellants have had a web of about
0.034 and a surface area of about 16 square centimeters
per gram thereof while a preferred embodiment of this
invention suitable for 90 millimeter has a surface area
30 of about 32 square centimeters per gram thereof and has
a web of about 0.034 inch and has about 9 percent of
one of the class of deterrents confined within that region
of the grain extending inwardly from each surface about
one-sixth of the web of the grain.
35 In carrying out this invention, the nitrocellulose pow
der base after the grain formation should have a specific
gravity of not less than about 1.5 inasmuch as lower
specific gravities are occasioned by the presence of de
leterious voids which do not permit the attainment of
40 desired ballistic properties. When a double base powder
is made in accordance with this invention, the smokeless
powder base should similarly be made such that it would
have a specific gravity of about 1.5 or greater. The addi
tion of the energizing modifier, such as nitroglycerine or
45 the like, or compressing will, of course, effect an increase in
the specific gravity of the powder grain to a certain extent
but is not generally effective to overcome deficiency in
ballistic properties resulting from an original specific
gravity of less than 1.5. By "non-porous' grains is
5) meant, therefore, grains which in the absence of energiz
ing modifiers or the use of deforming pressures have a
specific gravity of about 1.5 or more.
The exact reason why cartridges loaded with the pro
pellant of this invention are less erosive to the wall and
cartridges loaded with other propellants has not been
positively resolved. However, the results obtained in
actual tests under similar conditions and with similar
charge therein have indicated a phenomenal improvement
in gun barrel life with the propellant of this invention.
For example, with the propellant of this invention the
barrel life has been found in one instance with a caliber
.50 gun to be as much as 30 times longer than the life
having heretofore available propellants made in accord
ance with the process disclosed in Technical Manual No.
9-2900 entitled “Military Explosives' published August
Government. Thus the propellant of this invention great
ly extends the life of gun barrels. For the purpose of
this test, the barrei is considered no longer suitable when
the flight of the projectile indicates a yaw of at least ten
degrees or when the muzzle velocity of the projectile has
 2,771,851
5 6
In order to further clarify the invention, the following The resulting propellant grains are impregnated with
is a detail description of an embodiment thereof: about 10 percent nitroglycerine and are thereafter coated
About 100 parts by weight of nitrocellulose having a with about 9 percent diethy; diphenyl urea by methods
nitrogen content of about 13.2 percent are suspended in similar to those described in conjunction with the fore
about 800 parts water. About 330 parts ethyl acetate going caliber .50 embodiment. The grains are also
containing about one part diphenylamine are added to treated in a sweetie barrel with potassium nitrate, dinitro
the suspension and the slurry is agitated at about 70° C. toluene and graphite in accordance with the method de
until the nitrocellulose has dissolved in the ethyl acetate. scribed for caliber .50 but screening is ordinarily not
About 8 parts gum arabic which has been dispersed in required when the grains have been shaped by an ex
about 50 parts water are added to the slurry and about 0. trusion process. The resulting grains are a preferred
one-half hour later about 33 parts sodium sulfate dis embodiment for use in 90 millimeter cartridges.
solved in about 100 parts water are added. Agitation is A powder base having an average nitrogen content of
continued for about 4 hours after which time the solvent about 13.2 percent is obtained by mixing about 3 parts
is removed from the globules by gradually raising the by weight nitrocellulose having a nitrogen content of
temperature of the slurry to about 99 C. After cooling, 5 about 13.4 percent with about one part nitrocellulose
the hardened globular powder grains are separated from having a nitrogen content of about 12.6 percent. About
the liquid phase. 100 parts by weight of the resulting nitrocellulose is de
Those grains passing through a screen having 0.034 hydrated with about 125 parts of ethyl alcohol in a
inch diameter openings and remaining on a screen hav conventional dehydrating press. The resulting block of
ing 0.025 inch diameter openings are segregated from the 20 about 100 parts nitrocellulose and about 33 parts alcohol
other sized grains and about 100 parts thereof are sus is broken up and 66 parts diethyl ether is added thereto
pended in about 330 parts water. About 22 parts of an to partially colloid the mass. During the agitation to
emulsion of about 11 parts nitroglycerine, about 4 parts completely mix the solvent with the nitrocellulose, about
ethyl acetate and about 7 parts water are added and the one part diphenylamine is added. The colloid is next
temperature of the slurry is raised to about 65 C. and 25 pressed in to a block, forced through an extrusion die
further increased to about 70° C. in a period of about and again blocked in conventional equipment and finally
four hours. The ethyl acetate and toluene are then re grained by extruding through a die adapted to produce a
moved by passing air through the slurry while continuing Solid rod, the die having an internal diameter of about
the agitation thereof. About 13 hours are required for
Substantially complete removal of the solvent after which 30 equal inch.
0.042 The solid rod is cut to lengths substantially
to its diameter to form propellent grains. The
the temperature is raised to about 72° C. and about 14 ether-alcohol and other volatiles are removed by air dry.
parts gum arabic are added. ing in trays stored in a room having an average tempera
An emulsion of about 9 parts dibutylphthalate and ture of about 30° C. the first 24 hours, about 40° C.
about 0.05 part emulsifying agent such as gum arabic in the next
about 20 parts water is added and the resulting slurry 35 About 24 hours and about 45° C. for about one week.
agitated for about 5 hours after which the propellant Suspended100 in
parts of the resulting propellent grains are
about 330 parts water. About 22 parts of
grains are separated from the liquid. The water wet an emulsion of about 11 parts nitroglycerine, about 4
spheres are compressed between rolls at sufficient pres
sure to give a web of about .019 inch after which they parts ethyl acetate and about 7 parts toluene and about
are air dried. About 1000 parts of the resulting grains 40 0.1and
part gum arabic in about 75 parts water are added
the temperature of the slurry is raised to about 65°
are coated with about 5.0 parts potassium nitrate, about C. and further increased to about 70° C. in a period of
2.5 parts diphenylphthalate and about one-half part di about four hours. The ethyl acetate and toluene are
nitrotoluene by tumbling the grains therewith in a sweetie then removed by passing air through the slurry while
barrel for about 30 minutes at 55° C. after which about
0.4 part graphite is added and tumbling is continued 45 quired for Substantially thereof.
continuing the agitation
complete
About 13 hours are re
removal of the solvent
for an additional 30 minutes. The powder is then after which the temperature is raised to about 72° C. and
Screened and the grains passing through a screen having about 14 parts gum arabic are added.
openings of about 0.055 inch diameter and remaining on An emulsion of about 72 parts dibutylphthalate and
a screen having 0.0169 inch diameter openings are segre about 0.05 part emulsifying agent such as gum arabic
gated for use in caliber .50 cartridges. 50 in about 20 parts water is added and the resulting slurry
In another embodiment of the invention nitrocellulose agitated for about 5 hours after which the propellent
having an average nitrogen content of about 13.2 percent grains are separated from the liquid. About 1000 parts
is obtained by mixing about 3 parts nitrocellulose having of the resulting grains are coated with about 5.0 parts
a nitrogen content of about 13.4 percent with about one potassium nitrate, about 2.5 parts diphenylphthalate and
part nitrocellulose, having a nitrogen content of about 55 about one-half part dinitrotoluene by tumbling the grains
12.6 percent to form a suitable powder base. About 100 therewith in a sweetie barrel for about 30 minutes at 55°
parts by weight of the resulting powder base is dehydrated C. after which about 0.4 parts graphite are added and
with about 125 parts of ethyl alcohol in a conventional tumbling is continued for an additional 30 minutes. The
dehydration press. The resulting block of about 100 resulting grains have a surface area of about 77 square
parts nitrocellulose and about 33 parts alcohol is broken 60 centimeters per gram of propellant, have a web of about
up and 66 parts diethyl ether is added thereto to par 0.016 inch and contain about 6.5 percent by weight of
tially colloid the mass. During the agitation to completely dibutylphthalate dispersed in that region of the grain
mix the solvent with the nitrocellulose, about: one part extending from each surface thereof about 0.003 inch.
diphenylamine is added. The colloid is next pressed into While the immediately foregoing embodiment has been
a block, forced through an extrusion die and again 65 described in detail with respect to caliber .30 propellants,
blocked in conventional equipment and finally grained propellent charges for other guns in this range of calibers
by extruding through a die adapted to produce a solid Such as caliber .303, 7.92 millimeter, 7 millimeter and
rod, the die having an internal diameter of about 0.105 the similar calibers are contemplated by the invention.
inch. The grains are next cut to a length substantially While the foregoing embodiments have been described
equal to their diameter. The resulting grain is not per O in detail some deviations can be made from the various
forated. The ether-alcohol and other volatiles are re processing steps without deleteriously affecting the prop
moved by air-drying in trays stored in a room having an erties of the powder grains. For example, any other
average temperature of about 30° C. the first 24 hours, process which is capable of applying the deterrent to the
about 40 C. the next 24 hours and about 45° C. for Surface of the powder grains and which will insure that
about one week. 75 the deterrent will penetrate the surface of the grain but
 2,771,351
- 7 8
will not migrate into the core of the grain can be utilized. having a heat of explosion of less than about -200
Variations can be made in the process of forming the calories per gram. :
propellent grains provided that the resulting grains have 7. A propellent charge composed essentially of ex
a composition and a geometry such that they will fall truded nitrocellulose powder base propellent grains hav
within the critical limits presented hereinbefore for the ing a surface area of from about 75 to about 84 square
Surface area and web. Any process capable of substan centimeters per gram thereof, a web of from about 0.015
tially uniformly dispersing the nitroglycerine or other inch to about 0.025 inch, and having dispersed through
energizing modifier throughout the grains can be utilized out the region of the grain which extends from each
and other known modifiers such as, for example, carbon surface. about one-sixth of the web at least 3% of a non
black can be incorporated in the powder grains. Even migratory deterrent having a heat of explosion of less
O
other variations will become apparent to those skilled in than about -1000 calories per gram.
the art and the invention is not to be limited by any of the 8. A propellant having improved ballistic character
details. herein set forth but is limited only by the scope istics composed essentially of substantially non-porous
of the appended claims. nitrocellulose base propellent grains having a surface area
Having thus described the invention, what is claimed of from about 10 square centimeters per gram to about
and desired to secure by Letters Patent is: 74 square centimeters per gram thereof, a web of from
1. A propellant having improved ballistic characteris about 0.015 inch to about 0.07 inch, and having dis
tics composed essentially of substantially non-porous ex persed throughout the region of the grains extending from
each surface thereof not more than about one-sixth of
truded nitrocellulose base propellent grains having a
surface area of from about 10 square centimeters per 20 the web of the propellent grain from about 3% to about
15% of a deterrent having a heat of explosion constant
gram to about 84 square centimeters per gram thereof, a
web of from about 0.015 inch to about 0.07 inch, and of less than about -200 calories per gram.
having within the region of the grain which extends from 9. A propellant having improved ballistic character
..each surface thereof not more than about one-sixth of the istics composed essentially of substantially non-porous
nitrocellulose base propellent grains having a surface
web of the propellent grain not less than about 3 percent 25 area
of a deterrent having a heat of explosion constant of less of from about 10 square centimeters per gram to
than about -200 calories per gram. about 74 square centimeters per gram thereof, a web
2. A propellent charge composed essentially of ex of from about 0.015 inch to about 0.07 inch, and having
truded nitrocellulose powder base propellent grains which dispersed throughout the region of the powder grain
whose cut surfaces are so spaced that the surface area of extends from the surfaces thereof not more than
the grains is from about 75 to about 84 square centi about one-sixth of the web of the propellent grain, not
meters per gram thereof, the web is from about 0.015 to less than about 3 percent of a deterrent having a heat of
about 0.025 inch, and having dispersed throughout the explosion constant of less than about -200 calories per
region of the grain which extends from each surface 35 gram. 10. A propellent charge for calibers larger than caliber
about one-sixth of the web of the grain at least about 3 .30 having improved ballistic characteristics, said charge
percent of a deterrent having a heat of explosion of less being composed essentially of nitrocellulose base propel
than about -200 calories per gram.
3. A propellent charge composed essentially of ex lent grains having a surface area of from about 10 square
truded nitrocellulose powder base propellent grains hav 40 centimeters to about 74 square centimeters per gram
ing a surface area of about 77 square centimeters per thereof, a web of from about 0.015 inch to about 0.07
gram thereof, a web of about 0.016 inch and having dis inch, and having dispersed throughout the region of the
grains which extends from the surface thereof not more
persed throughout the region of the grain which extends
from each surface thereof about one-sixth of the web of than about one-sixth of the web of the grain not less than
the grain at least about 3 percent of a deterrent having a of 3% of a deterrent having a heat of explosion constant
heat of explosion of less than about -200 calories per less than -1000 calories per gram.
gran. -- 11. A propellant having improved ballistic charac
4. A propellent charge composed essentially of ex teristics grains composed essentially of nitrocellulose base pro
truded nitrocellulose powder base propellent grains hav pellent containing about 10 percent nitroglycerine
and having a surface area of from about 10 square
ing a surface area of about 77 square centimeters per 50 centimeters to about 74 square centimeters per gram
gram thereof, a web of about 0.016 inch and having dis thereof, a web of from about 0.015 inch to about 0.07
persed throughout the region of the grain which extends inch and having
from each surface about one-sixth of the web of the grain throughout the regionsubstantially uniformly dispersed
about 6.5 percent of a non-migratory deterrent having a the surface thereof notof more the grains which extends from
heat of explosion of less than about -200 calories per 55 the web of the propellent grain than about one-sixth of
not less than about 3%
gram.
5. A propellent charge composed essentially of solid of a deterrent having a heat of explosion constant of less
Substantially cylindrical nitrocellulose powder base pro than12.about -200 calories per gram.
A propellant having improved ballistic charac
pellent grains having a surface area of from about 75 to
about 84 square centimeters per gram thereof and a web teristics in caliber .50 guns composed essentially of sub
of from about 0.015 to about 0.025 inch, and having dis 60 'stantially non-porous nitrocellulose base grains contain
persed throughout the region of the grain which extends ing about 10 percent nitroglycerine and having a surface
from each surface about one-sixth of the web of the grain area of from about 55 square centimeters per gram to
at least about 3% of a substantially non-migratory de about 72 square centimeters per gram thereof, a web of
terrent having a heat of explosion of less than about from about 0.016 inch to about 0.023 inch and having
65 dispersed only in the region of the grains extending from
-200 calories per gram. each surface thereof from about 6 percent to about 10
6. A propellent charge composed essentially of ex percent deterrent having a heat of explosion constant
truded nitrocellulose powder base propellent grains im of less than about -200 calories per gram of propellant.
pregnated with about 10 percent of a liquid explosive 13. A propellant having improved ballistic charac
nitric ester of a polyhydric alcohol and having a surface 70 teristics in caliber 60 guns composed essentially of 'sub
area of about 75 to about 84 square centimeters, a web stantially non-porous nitrocellulose base grains contain
of from about 0.015 inch to about 0.025 inch and having ing nitroglycerine and having a surface area of from
dispersed throughout the region of the grain extending about 45 square centimeters per gram to about 60 square
from each surface about one-sixth of the web of the grain centimeters per gram thereof, a web of from about 0.022
75 inch and about 0.028 inch and having dispersed only in
at least about 3 percent of a non-migratory deterrent
 2,771851.
9 10
the region of the grains extending from each surface the grains with a non-migratory
thereof from about 6 percent to about 10 percent deter of explosion constant of less than deterrent having a heat
-200 calories per gram
rent having a heat of explosion constant of less than-about thereof, and heating the coated grains until at least about
-200 calories per gram of propellant. 3 percent deterrent penetrates only the region of the grain
14. A propellant having improved ballistic charac 5 which extends from each surface thereof about one-sixth
teristics in 20 millimeter guns composed essentially of of the web of the grain.
substantially non-porous nitrocellulose base grains con 20. In a method for making propellants, the process
taining about 10 percent nitroglycerine, and having a sur which comprises colloiding nitrocellulose, extruding the
face area of from about 35 square centimeters per gram resulting powder base through a die, cutting the resulting
to about 55 square centimeters per gram thereof, a web 10 rod of powder base into lengths, rolling said lengths into
of from about 0.025 inch to about 0.032 inch and having powder grains having dimensions providing a surface area
dispersed only in the region of the grains extending in of from about 75 to about 84 square centimeters per gram
wardly from each surface thereof from about 6 to about and a web of from about 0.015 to about 0.025 inch, coat
10 percent deterrent having a heat of explosion constant ing the grains with a deterrent having a heat of explosion
of less than about -200 calories per gram of propellant. 15 constant of less than about -200 calories per gram there
15. A propellant having improved ballistic charac of, and heating the coated grains until at least about 3
teristics in 90 millimeter guns composed essentially of percent of the deterrent penetrates only that region of the
substantially non-porous nitrocellulose base grains con grain which extends from the surface thereof about one
taining about 10 percent nitroglycerine having a surface sixth of the web.
area of about 32 square centimeters per gram thereof, a 20 21. In a method for making propellants having im
web of about 0.034 inch and having, dispersed only in proved ballistic characteristics, the process which com
the region of the grains extending inwardly from each prises subdividing a nitrocellulose powder base into Sub
surface thereof about 9 percent deterrent having a heat stantially non-porous grains having dimensions providing
of explosion constant of less than about -200 calories a surface area of from about 10 to about 74 square
per gram of propellant. 25 centimeters per gram thereof and a web of from about
16. In a method for making propellants, the process 0.015 inch to about 0.07 inch, coating the grains with a
which comprises colloiding nitrocellulose, extruding the non-migratory deterrent having a heat of explosion con
resulting powder base through a die, subdividing the re stant of less than about -200 calories per gram, and
Sulting rod of powder base into propellant grains having thereafter heating the coated grains until from about 3
dimensions providing a surface area of from about 10 30 percent to about 15 percent deterrent penetrates only the
to about 84 square centimeters per gram and a web of region of the grain which extends from the surface there
about 0.015 inch to about 0.07 inch, coating the powder of about one-sixth of the web of the grain.
grains with a deterrent having a heat of explosion con 22. In a method for making propellants having im
stant of less than about -200 calories per gram, and proved ballistic characteristics, the steps which comprise
heating the coated grains until at least about 3 percent subdividing the nitrocellulose powder base into non
deterrent penetrates only the region of the grain which porous grains having dimensions providing a surface area
extends from the surface thereof about one-sixth of the of about 10 to about 74 square centimeters per gram
web of the grain. thereof and a web of from about 0.015 inch to about 0.07
17. In a method for making propellants, the process inch, coating the grains with a non-migratory deterrent
which comprises colloiding nitrocellulose, extruding the 40 having a heat of explosion constant of less than about
resulting powder base through a die, subdividing the re -200 calories per gram, and thereafter heating the
sulting rod of powder base into propellent grains having coated grains until not less than 3 percent deterrent pene
dimensions providing a surface area of about 75 to about trates only the region of the grains which extends from
84 square centimeters per gram and a web of about 0.015 each surface thereof about one-sixth of the web of the
to about 0.025 inch, coating the grains with a non-migra grains.
tory deterrent having a heat of explosion constant of less 23. The process for making propellants having im
than about -200 calories per gram, and heating the proved ballistic characteristics which comprises subdivid
coated grains until not less than about 3 percent deter ing a nitrocellulose powder base into non-porous grains
rent penetrates only the region of the grain which extends having dimensions providing a surface area of about 10
from each surface thereof about one-sixth of the web 5 0. to about 74 square centimeters per gram thereof and a
of the grain.
18. In a method for making propellants, the process web of from about 0.015 inch to about 0.07 inch, coat
which comprises colloiding nitrocellulose, extruding the ing the grains with a liquid explosive nitric ester of a
resulting powder base through a die, subdividing the re polyhydric alcohol, heating the grains until said ester is
sulting rod into propellent grains having dimensions pro 55 grainsdispersed substantially uniformly therein, coating the
viding a surface area of from about 10 to about 84 square with a non-migratory deterrent having a heat of
centimeters per gram and a web of from about 0.015 to explosion constant of less than about -200 calories per
about 0.07 inch, coating the resulting grains with a liquid grams, and thereafter heating the coated grains until not
explosive nitric ester, heating the grains until said ester less than about 3 percent deterrent penetrates only the
penetrates and becomes substantially uniformly dispersed 60 region of the grain which extends from each surface
throughout the grain, coating the grains with a non thereof about one-sixth of the web of the grains.
migratory deterrent having a heat of explosion constant 24. The process for making propellants for caliber .50
of less than about -200 calories per gram, and heating guns which comprises subdividing a nitrocellulose
the grains until at least 3 percent deterrent penetrates powder base into non-porous grains having dimensions
only the region of the grain which extends from each sur providing a surface area of from about 55 to about 72
face thereof about one-sixth of the web of the grain. square centimeters per gram thereof and a web of from
19. In a method for making propellants, the process about 0.016 inch to about 0.023 inch, coating the grains
which comprises colloiding nitrocellulose, extruding the with a liquid explosive nitric ester of a polyhydric alco
resulting powder base through a die, subdividing the rod hol and heating the grains until from about 10 to about
into propellent grains having dimensions providing a sur 70 20 percent of said ester is substantially uniformly dis
face area of about 75 to about 84 square centimeters per persed therein, coating the grains with a non-migratory
gram and a web of about 0.015 to about 0.025 inch, coat deterrent having a heat of explosion constant of less than
ing the resulting grains with a liquid explosive nitric ester, -200 calories per gram, and thereafter heating the
heating the grains until said ester penetrates the grain grains until from about 6 to about 10 percent deterrent
and is substantially uniformly dispersed therein, coating 75 penetrates only the region of the grains extending from
 2,771,351
11
each surface thereof about one-sixth of the web of the
gral nS.
25. The process for making propellants for caliber .60
guns which comprises subdividing a nitrocellulose pow
der base into non-porous grains having dimensions pro
viding a surface area of from about 45 to about 60
square centimeters per gram thereof and a web of from
about 0.022 inch to about 0.028 inch, coating the grains
with a liquid explosive nitric ester of a polyhydric alco
hol, heating the coated grains until from about 10 to
about 20 per cent of said ester is dispersed substantially
uniformly therein, coating the grains with a non-migra
tory deterrent having a heat of explosion constant of less
than about -200 calories per gram, and thereafter heat
ing the coated grains until about 6 to about 10 percent
deterrent penetrates only the region of the grains ex
tending from each surface thereof about one-sixth of the
web of the grain.
26. The process for making propellants for 20 milli
meter guns which comprises subdividing a nitrocellulose
powder base into non-porous grains having dimensions
providing a surface area of from about 35 to about 55
square centimeters per gram thereof and a web of from
about 0.025 inch to about 0.032 inch, thereafter coating
the grains with a liquid explosive nitric ester of a poly
hydric alcohol, heating the grains until from about 10
to about 20 percent of said ester is substantially uni
formly dispersed therein, coating the grains with a non
migratory deterrent having a heat of explosion constant
of less than about -200 calories per gram, and there
12
after heating the coated grains until from about 6 to
about 10 percent deterrent penetrates only the region of
the grains extending from each surface thereof about
one-sixth of the web of the grains.
5 27. In a method for making propellants, the process
which comprises colloiding nitrocellulose, extruding the
resulting powder base through a die, cutting the extruded
rod into lengths, rolling said lengths into powder grains
having dimensions providing a surface area of from
O about 10 square centimeters per gram to about 74 square
centimeters per gram and a web of from about 0.015 inch
to about 0.07 inch, coating the grains with a deterrent
having a heat of explosion constant of less than about
-200 calories per gram thereof, and thereafter heating
5 the coated grains until at least 3 percent deterrent pene
trates the outer one-sixth of the web of the grain.
28. A propellant having improved ballistic character
istics composed essentially of substantially non-porous
extruded nitrocellulose base propellent grains impreg
20 nated with a liquid explosive nitric ester of a polyhydric
alcohol having a surface area of from about 10 square
centimeters per gram to about 84 square centimeters per
gram thereof, a web of from about 0.015 inch to about
0.07 inch, and having within the region of the grain which
25 cxtends from each surface thereof not more than about
one-sixth of the web of the propellent grain not less
than about 3 percent of a deterrent having a heat of ex
plosion constant of less than about -200 calories per
gram.
30
No references cited.