Common Terms (cont'd) 1. All burnt point 2. Peak Pressure (MPa) 3. Shot Start 4. Shot exit 5. Ignition Temp (oC) 6. Explosion Heat (Q ex) 7. Flame Temp (oC) 8. Chamber Pressure (MPa) 9. Specific Gas Volume (L/1kg) 10. Muzzle Pressure (MPa) 11. Solid Residues (%)

1. All propellant has been burnt 2. maximum pressure is reached 3. The point when the shot initially moves 4. Shot exits the muzzle 5. Temperature required to ignite the propellant 6. amount of heat liberated in the combustion of 1kg of propellant 7. PEAK chamber temperature upon combustion of propellant 8. Pressure at the case mouth 9. Amount of gas produced 1kg propellant 10. peak overpressure at the muzzle upon breakage of the projectile-bore seal 11. % of solid matter remaining after combustion

- Initiation of the primer - Propellant combustion - Increase in Pressure and Temperature thereby increasing the Burn Rate - Shot Start - Acceleration of the projectile - Peak pressure - 1/10 of the Barrel length - Increase in volume - Decrease in pressure - All burnt point - Acceleration increases slightly - Pressure is 1/6 of peak pressure when the projectile is at the muzzle - Entire process from initiation to muzzle exit takes less than 15 milliseconds

5. Ballistics Flashcards by Scott Welham

What is Ballistics?

The scientific study of the MOTION OF PROJECTILES

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Define Internal Ballistics

OPERATING PROCESS within the gun
from propellant ignition
until projectile leaves the barrel

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Goals/Objectives of Internal Ballistics (3)

Launch the projectile SAFELY
CONSISTENT performance between shots
Achieve the HIGHEST possible muzzle velocity

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Define Piobert’s Law

The surface of a deflagrating (burning) propellant recedes layer by layer in a direction normal to the surface.

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Common Terms (cont’d)

All burnt point
Peak Pressure (MPa)
Shot Start
Shot exit
Ignition Temp (oC)
Explosion Heat (Q ex)
Flame Temp (oC)
Chamber Pressure (MPa)
Specific Gas Volume (L/1kg)
Muzzle Pressure (MPa)
Solid Residues (%)

All propellant has been burnt
maximum pressure is reached
The point when the shot initially moves
Shot exits the muzzle
Temperature required to ignite the propellant
amount of heat liberated in the combustion of 1kg of propellant
PEAK chamber temperature upon combustion of propellant
Pressure at the case mouth
Amount of gas produced 1kg propellant
peak overpressure at the muzzle upon breakage of the projectile-bore seal
% of solid matter remaining after combustion

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4 Phases of Internal Ballistics

Charge ignition (by the primer)
Combustion prior to projectile motion
Combustion up to ALL BURNT POINT
Gas flow and projectile motion after all burnt point to muzzle

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Burning Characteristics of Propellant Composition (4)

..of a propellant granule? (2)

COMPOSITION
- Burning rate
- Pressure index
- Force Constant
- Co-volume
GRANULE
- Ballistic size
-The Form Function

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Pressure Index

Co-efficient which relates to changes in burning rate to changes in pressure

(Burning increases pressure, which in turn, increases burn rate)

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Co-Volume (vol/1kg)

The volume occupied by the molecules of a kilogram of propellant in a gaseous state

CV =

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Force Constant

A measure of the pressure which a unit mass of propellant produces in a fixed volume

= Max pressure x effective volume of closed-vessel / Mass of propellant

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Single vs Double Based Propellant

Single based propellant has a single burn which results in a higher pressure for a short
period.
Double based’s double burn results in lower pressures for a longer duration, but reaches that quicker

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Firing Sequence (11)

Initiation of the primer
Propellant combustion
Increase in Pressure and Temperature thereby increasing the Burn Rate
Shot Start
Acceleration of the projectile
Peak pressure
- 1/10 of the Barrel length
Increase in volume
Decrease in pressure
All burnt point
Acceleration increases slightly
Pressure is 1/6 of peak pressure when the projectile is at the muzzle
Entire process from initiation to muzzle exit takes less than 15 milliseconds

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Distribution of (propellant) Energy by % (6)

Projectile - 32%
Residual Heat of the gases - 42%
Recoil of the gun - 0.2%
Engraving the driving band - 2.8%
Unburnt charges & gases - 3%
Heat lost to the gun - 20%

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What are the types Effects of Variations on Propellant and explain their effect

Charge Weight
Propellant size
Propellant Shape
Chamber Capacity
Ignition Temperature
Shot start
Bore Area
Multiple Variations

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What are the differences to
Peak Pressure, Temp,
Velocity, ABP,
and results due to Effects of Variations on Propellant

-Charge Weight -Propellant size -Propellant shape(standard is degressive.) Chamber Capacity -Ignition Temperature -Shot start pressure -Bore Area -Multiple Variations

-Pressure Temp Velocity ABP
+Charge Weight: more, more, increase, Sooner
- more consistency and accuracy to fall of shot
+Propellant size: less, decrease, decrease, later
-
(Neutral) Propellant Shape: less, decrease, slight increase, sooner
+Chamber (gas)Capacity: less, decrease
Ignition Temperature: increased all, sooner ABP
Shot start Pressure: increased all, sooner ABP
Bore Area (short, fatter): decrease, decrease, increased Vel, late ABP
Multiple Variations:

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How can the round-to-round regularity of muzzle velocity be improved?

An all burnt point where the shell is still well back in the bore

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What is Fall Back?
When does it occur (4)
Consequences(4)

Occurs when the shell fails to remain in it's 'seating' on loading
1. Mismatched driving band to forcing cone
2. Dirt or fouling 
3. insufficient ramming force
4. misaligned project goal
A. Round fall well short
B. Round breaks up on exit
C. In bore detonation
D. Blackened round

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Ballistic Abnormalities

Occasion-to-occasion effect
The Warmer (Cold gun effect)
Order of fire
Ballistic hump ( re: new barrel)

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What happens to the rate of burning of propellant if the pressure is increased?

It increases the burn rate

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Extra q for int bal.

If bung finll wek ie

re.

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What are the six (6) areas of distribution of

energy when the gun is fired?

Projectile, translational and rotational

Heat in the gas

Gun recoil

Driving band engraving and overcoming friction of the
bore.

Unburnt charge and gases

Heat in the gun

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What is the effect of an increase in charge

weight?

Pressure increases, ABP moves back, muzzle velocity

increases, regularity in fall of shot improves.

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For the same weight of charge, what is the
effect of increasing the propellant size? (5)

Study These Flashcards

Total initial burning surface of the propellant decreases,
Pressure is lower at first,
ABP moves forward in the bore,
muzzle velocity decreases,
regularity in fall of shot decreases.

What are the effects of using a multi tubular

propellant on internal ballistics?

Study These Flashcards

The peak pressure is reduced but the projectile still gets good energy levels.

What is the effect on internal ballistics of using a projectile of normal weight, but shorter and of larger diameter than normal?

The same muzzle velocity is achieved with a pressure | which is everywhere less than with the standard shot.

Define INTERMEDIATE ballistics?

The study of the transition from internal to | external ballistics

What are 3 muzzle methods which can be used to suppress flash? How do they work

Conical tube Slotted tube Bar type Break up the barrel shock and mach disc

What are the 2 phases of the muzzle GAS FLOW FIELD during firing?

Precursor blast field | Main blast field

What 2 elements make up bottle shock? | As part of the Precursor field

``` Barrel Shock (the sides)  Mach Disc (the front) ```

What are the 3 main ways to minimise muzzle | flash?

``` Muzzle Devices  Choice of Propellant  Propellant Additives ```

What is flash? name the types of Flash (5; in order)

The light emitted in the vicinity of the muzzle that occurs as the propellant gases mix with the surrounding air ``` Pre flash Primary flash Muzzle glow Intermediate flash Secondary flash ```

Flash Reduction Methods (3)

``` Muzzle devices ( flash suppressors)  Type of propellant (eg. Triple-based (with NQ))  Propellant additives (eg. flash inhibitors) ```

We use muzzle devices for three main reasons: xx

``` Reduce recoil  Suppress flash  Decrease report ```

What is Blast

the effects produced by gas pressure waves in both intermediate and terminal ballistics

Properties of the Projectile | External Ballistics

Mass Calibre Nose Shape Spin Rate

Trajectory

The path taken by the CENTRE OF GRAVITY of the projectile

Air Resistance Drag Forces

``` Skin Friction (# Boundary layer) Pressure Drag - Base drag Forebody Drag (Shock Waves) Excrescence Drag (stuff sticking out eg. Driving band) ```

Drag Coefficient (Cd)

``` Drag coefficient (C d ) quantifies the drag of an object through a fluid (Air or Water).  C d comprises of two drag effects - Skin Friction - Form Drag ```

Define Yaw

Angle bxn axis of the proj and that of he velocity vector (Traj) is the Yaw, or angle of attack

What are methods to reduce the effect of base drag?

Base bleed Boat tail

What are the two common means of | stabilisation?

Spin stabilisation  Fin stabilisation

Define trajectory?

The path taken by the Centre of Gravity of a | projectile

now explain how each works? Boat tailing: Base bleeding:

Boat tailing: a truncated cone reducing the area of low pressure behind the projectile Base bleeding: a method of burning propellant at the rear of the projectile IOT increase the air pressure and reduce Base drag

What are the two major aerodynamic forces acting on | the projectile, depending on Yaw?

Crosswind  Drag

What is meant by the Ballistic Coefficient?

A scientific measure of a projectile’s CARRYING ABILITY

What is recoil?

Recoil is the rearward motion of the gun in reaction to the forward motion imparted to the Projectile and propellant gases

What are 2 possible affects that the muzzle gas flow can have upon the Projectile

Slight acceleration | Slight yawing

How does most Flash suppression devices reduce Flash?

They are designed to Break-up barrel shock | Mach disc

What is the problem to adding potassium or sulphate salts to propellant?

increases the production of smoke

What are the 2 sources to make up blast? -What can be used to reduce blast in small calibre weapons? Name the 3 types

``` blast shock waves and flash blast -Silencers Blast absorption Blast dissipation Blast containment and controlled release ```

What is Pre Flash and why does it occur

The Flash prior to projectile exit, escaping gases in front of the projectile

What is secondary flash -Why is it important to minimise?

The large flash caused by mixing the hot combustible material in the air - It will indicate the position of the gun and may cause temporary blindness

What is Fallback -When does it happen What are the consequences

When a loaded projectile fails to remain in its seating in the forcing cone - mismatched driving band and forcing cone - Dirt or fouling - Insufficient ramming force - Misaligned projectile Round falls short Round breaks up on exit Bore detonation Blackened round

What is muzzle flash

the light emitted from the vicinity of the muzzle by the chemical reaction when hot propellant gases mixing with the air

What items can be used to reduce blast in small calibre weapons? Name the 3 types

Silencers Blast dissipation Blast absorption Blast containment and controlled release

What is base drag

the turbulent, low pressure pocket immediately behind the projectile base

Properties of the projectile?(4)

Mass Calibre Nose shape Spin rate

5. Ballistics Flashcards

(57 cards)