Tracer projectile sealing and ignition enhancement

Abstract

A tracer projectile used in a tracer round for a firearm, the tracer projectile including a body having a forwardly directed tip, a rearwardly directed trailing end, and a cavity formed in the trailing end of the body with a rearwardly directed opening. A tracer composition is contained in the cavity. An igniter sealant overlies the tracer composition, closing and sealing the rearwardly directed opening of the cavity. The igniter sealant is a hardened layer protecting the underlying tracer composition, sealing the cavity from moisture ingress, and is flammable to ignite the underlying tracer composition.

1 . A tracer projectile used in a tracer round for a firearm, the tracer projectile comprising:
 a body having a forwardly directed tip and a rearwardly directed trailing end;   a cavity formed in the trailing end of the body with a rearwardly directed opening;   a tracer composition contained in the cavity; and   an igniter sealant overlying the tracer composition, closing and sealing the rearwardly directed opening of the cavity, the igniter sealant is a hardened layer protecting the underlying tracer composition, sealing the cavity from moisture ingress, and is flammable to ignite the underlying tracer composition.   
     
     
         2 . The projectile as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the igniter sealant comprises:
 an adhesive sealant; and 
 a flammable additive. 
 
     
     
         3 . The projectile as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the adhesive sealant includes one of an epoxy, a urethane adhesive, and an acrylic adhesive. 
     
     
         4 . The projectile as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the igniter sealant comprises:
 an epoxy resin; 
 a mercaptan hardener; and 
 a flammable additive. 
 
     
     
         5 . The projectile of  claims 2  wherein the flammable additive includes at least one of a carbonaceous agent and a metallic agent. 
     
     
         6 . The projectile of  claims 5  wherein carbonaceous agent includes at least one of carbon black, nitrocellulose, nitrosamines, and hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         7 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the igniter sealant comprises:
 a first part having at least 60% by weight epoxy resin and 40% or less by weight flammable additive; and 
 a second part having at least 60% hardener by weight and 40% or less flammable additive by weight. 
 
     
     
         8 . The projectile as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the body comprises a jacket having a forward end corresponding to the forward tip of the body and a rearward end corresponding to the trailing end of the body, a point filler filling the forward end of the jacket, and the cavity defined by the rearward end of the jacket and extending rearwardly from a base of the point filler to the rearwardly directed opening. 
     
     
         9 . A tracer projectile used in a tracer round for a firearm, the tracer projectile comprising:
 a body having a forwardly directed tip and a rearwardly directed trailing end;   a cavity formed in the trailing end of the body with a rearwardly directed opening;   a tracer composition contained in the cavity having a flat rearwardly directed surface; and   an igniter sealant including an adhesive sealant, and a flammable additive, overlying the tracer composition, closing and sealing the rearwardly directed opening of the cavity, the igniter sealant is a hardened layer protecting the underlying tracer composition, sealing the cavity from moisture ingress, and is flammable to ignite the underlying tracer composition.   
     
     
         10 . The projectile as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the body comprises a jacket having a forward end corresponding to the forward tip of the body and a rearward end corresponding to the trailing end of the body, a point filler filling the forward end of the jacket, and the cavity defined by the rearward end of the jacket and extending rearwardly from a base of the point filler to the rearwardly directed opening. 
     
     
         11 . The projectile of  claims 9  wherein the flammable additive includes at least one of a carbonaceous agent and a metallic agent. 
     
     
         12 . The projectile of  claims 11  wherein carbonaceous agent includes at least one of carbon black, nitrocellulose, nitrosamines, and hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         13 . The projectile of  claim 9  wherein the igniter sealant comprises:
 a first part having at least 60% by weight epoxy resin and 40% or less by weight flammable additive; and 
 the second part having at least 60% hardener by weight and 40% or less flammable additive by weight. 
 
     
     
         14 . The projectile as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the adhesive sealant includes one of an epoxy, a urethane adhesive, and an acrylic adhesive. 
     
     
         15 . A method of fabricating a tracer projectile comprising the steps of:
 providing a projectile body having a forward end and a trailing end;   providing a cavity in the trailing end with a rearwardly directed opening;   placing a tracing composition in the cavity, the tracing composition having a rearwardly facing surface;   mixing a fluid igniter sealant including an adhesive sealant, and a flammable additive;   depositing the fluid igniter sealant over the surface of the tracing composition and closing the rearwardly directed opening; and   forming a hardened igniter sealant by curing the fluid igniter sealant, the hardened igniter sealant overlying the tracer composition, closing and sealing the rearwardly directed opening of the cavity, the hardened igniter sealant protecting the underlying tracer composition, sealing the cavity from moisture ingress, and being flammable to ignite the underlying tracer composition.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claims 15  wherein the flammable additive includes at least one of a carbonaceous agent and a metallic agent. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claims 16  wherein carbonaceous agent includes at least one of carbon black, nitrocellulose, nitrosamines, and hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the fluid igniter sealant comprises:
 a first part having at least 60% by weight epoxy resin and 40% or less by weight flammable additive; and 
 a second part having at least 60% hardener by weight and 40% or less flammable additive by weight.