Internal Ballistics
By
Mr. Himanshu Yadav
Assistant Professor
Department of Forensic Science
Propellants
In general, propellant or gunpowder is a chemical substance used in the
production of energy or pressurized gas that is subsequently used to create
movement of a fluid or to generate propulsion of a projectile, or other object.
OR
In firearm ballistics, propellants fill the interior of an ammunition cartridge or the
chamber of a gun or cannon, leading to the expulsion of a bullet or shell.
Types of propellent
Black powder
Smokeless powder
Semi-smokeless powder
Black powder (Gun Powder)
It is the oldest known propellant developed by Chinese.
Consists of irregular grain that have either dull or shiny black surface.
When fired, it produces large volume of greyish smoke and considerable residue
is left in the barrel.
When ignited it also burns quite rapidly.
Smokeless Powder
Used as propellant in various firearms and in other weapons.
There are 3 types :
Single Base- contains Nitrocellulose
Double Base- contains Nitrocellulose and Nitroglycerine
Triple Base- contains Nitrocellulose, Nitroglycerine and Nitroguanidine
Produces very little volume of smoke when burned, unlike black powder.
It is smokeless because combustion products are gaseous rather than solid.
Semi- smokeless powder
It is the combination of Black Powder and Smokeless Powder.
80% Black Powder
20% Smokeless Powder
Burning of Propellants
When a projectile weapon is launched from the gun barrel, it is accelerated to a
high velocity by the burning of propellant. The propellant may travel with the
projectile or be stationary in the barrel. The gasses produced by the burning
propellant are trapped in the volume behind the projectile. The introduction of
more heat into the product gasses causes the pressure to rise which in turn will
accelerate the projectile. On the other hand, the movement of the projectile
increases the volume which tends to drop the pressure.
Internal Ballistics
Internal Ballistics, a subfield of ballistics is the
study of projectile’s behavior from the time its
propellant’s ignites is initiated until it exits the
gun barrel.
The study of internal ballistics is important to
designers and users of firearms of all types.
The three main factors are -
Lock Time
Ignition Time
Barrel Time
Lock Time
Lock time is the time interval between release of the sear and the impact of the
striker on the percussion cap. A short time internal is advantageous in rapid fire.
The lock time can be measured in a number of ways, in one such system the use
of linear Motion sensors and an oscilloscope is made.
Ignition Time
Ignition time is the duration or interval between the striking of the firing pin to
blow the ignition of the first grain of powder. The ignition, under the normal
conditions, takes place at an interval of about 0.002 seconds.
Barrel Time
Barrel time is the time interval from the pressing of the trigger to the exit of the
bullet from the muzzle end.
In case of most of the weapons Lock time + Ignition time + barrel time varies
from 0.003 to 0.007 seconds.
Rusting and Corrosion
Rusting or corrosion from lack of cleaning is the frequent cause, which shortens
the life of a barrel.
Rusting is oxidation and, therefore a slow combustion.
Corrosion is the phenomenon of disintegration of metal by electrochemical
reaction or by direct chemical attack.
Erosion
Erosion in a rifle barrel is due to the effects of thermal and mechanical stresses
and the jet effects of hot powder gases which accentuate the mechanical stresses
to wash metal away.
This causes the yawing effect in rifle that affects the stability of the bullet in flight
and accuracy is disturbed. The effect of erosion results in loss of grouping ability
at long range.
Thank You
