Powder for accelerating projectiles for mortar systems

Abstract

Powder as propulsion powder or ignition powder for accelerating projectiles for mortar systems is based on nitrocellulose and comprises a crystalline, nitramine-based energetic material at 1-30 wt % and an inorganic muzzle flash suppressor at 0.1-10 wt %. The powder is in the form of grains, and the grains on their surface optionally have an inert plasticizing additive at not more than 1 wt %. The crystalline, nitramine-based energetic material is preferably at least one compound from the group encompassing hexogen (RDX) and octogen (HMX). The inorganic muzzle flash suppressor preferably comprises at least one compound from the group encompassing potassium nitrate and potassium sulfate.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A powder, as propulsion powder or ignition powder for accelerating projectiles for mortar systems, which is based on nitrocellulose and comprises a crystalline, nitramine-based energetic material at 1-30 wt % and an inorganic muzzle flash suppressor, the powder being present in the form of grains, wherein the inorganic muzzle flash suppressor is present at 0.1-10 wt %. 
     
     
         14 . The powder as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the grains have an inert plasticizing additive on their surface at a concentration of not more than 1 wt %. 
     
     
         15 . The powder as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the inert plasticizing additive is present at 0.01-1 wt %. 
     
     
         16 . The powder as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the crystalline, nitramine-based energetic material comprises at least one compound from the group encompassing hexogen (RDX) and octogen (HMX). 
     
     
         17 . The powder as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the crystalline energetic material is present at 5-25 wt %. 
     
     
         18 . The powder as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the inorganic muzzle flash suppressor comprises at least one compound from the group encompassing potassium nitrate and potassium sulfate. 
     
     
         19 . The powder as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the inorganic muzzle flash suppressor is present at 0.1-5 wt %. 
     
     
         20 . The powder as claimed  claim 14 , wherein the inert plasticizing additive comprises at least one compound from the group encompassing camphor, dialkyl phthalates and dialkyldiphenylureas. 
     
     
         21 . The powder as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the inert plasticizing additive is present at 0.01-0.1 wt %. 
     
     
         22 . The powder as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the grains have a circular-cylindrical geometry and have lengthwise channels running in the axial direction. 
     
     
         23 . A method for producing a powder as propulsion powder or ignition powder as claimed in  claim 13 , comprising the steps of
 a) producing a solvent-containing powder dough based on nitrocellulose and on a crystalline, nitramine-based energetic material at 1-30 wt %, and on an inorganic muzzle flash suppressor,   b) producing a green grain by extrusion of the solvent-containing powder dough,   c) removal of the solvent from the green grain,   d) drying of the green grain.   
     
     
         24 . The method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the solvent is removed from the green grain by means of humid air methods. 
     
     
         25 . The method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the green grain is surface treated with an inert plasticizing additive prior to the drying step. 
     
     
         26 . The method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the drying of the surface-treated green grain is followed by finishing. 
     
     
         27 . The powder as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the crystalline, nitramine-based energetic material comprises at least one compound from the group encompassing hexogen (RDX) and octogen (HMX). 
     
     
         28 . The powder as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the crystalline energetic material is present at 5-25 wt %. 
     
     
         29 . The powder as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the inorganic muzzle flash suppressor comprises at least one compound from the group encompassing potassium nitrate and potassium sulfate. 
     
     
         30 . The powder as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the inorganic muzzle flash suppressor is present at 0.1-5 wt %. 
     
     
         31 . The powder as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the grains have a circular-cylindrical geometry and have lengthwise channels running in the axial direction.