High bulk density extruded propellant for small arms cartridges

Claim 2

AN EXTRUDED PROPELLANT FOR SMALL ARMS CARTRIDGES OF 0.30 CALIBER AND SMALLER AMMUNITION, SAID PROPELLANT HAVING A MINIMUM BULK DENSITY OF 0.932 GM/CC AND COMPRISING CYLINDRICAL GRAINS HAVING A LENGTH TO OUTER DIAMETER RATIO OF APPROXIMATELY 0.9 TO 1.1, AND WHEREIN SAID PROPELLANT GRAINS COMPRISES AT LEAST 85% COLLIDED NITROCELLULOSE, BY WEIGHT, SAID COLLOIDED PROPELLANT GRAINS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY NON-FIBROUS.

Claim 3

The extruded propellant of claim 1 wherein said propellant grains are unperforated single bAse.

Claim 4

The extruded propellant of claim 1 wherein said propellant grains are unperforated double base.

Claim 5

The extruded propellant of claim 1 wherein said propellant grains are mono-perforated single base.

Claim 6

The extruded propellant of claim 1 wherein said propellant grains are mono-perforated double base.

Claim 7

The extruded propellant of claim 1 wherein said propellant grains comprise by weight: 94% Colloided Nitrocellulose (13.15%N) 4% Ethylene dimethacrylate 1% Diphenylamine 1% Potassium Sulfate 0.2% (added) Graphite Coating

Claim 8

The extruded propellant of claim 1 wherein said propellant grains comprise by weight: 85% Colloided Nitrocellulose (13.15%N) 10% Nitroglycerine 4% Ethylene dimethacrylate 1% Diphenylamine 0.2% (added) Graphite Coating

Claim 9

The extruded propellant of claim 6 wherein said propellant grains are unperforated single base having a length of 0.025 inch and diameter of 0.025 inch and a bulk density of 0.938 gm/cc.

Claim 10

The extruded propellant of claim 7 wherein said propellant grains are unperforated double base having a length of 0.025 inch and diameter of 0.025 inch and a bulk density of 0.947 gm/cc.

Claim 11

The extruded propellant of claim 6 wherein said propellant grains are mono-perforated single base having a length of 0.031 inch, diameter of 0.031 inch, perforation of 0.007 inch, and a bulk density of 0.932 gm/cc.

Claim 12

The extruded propellant of claim 7 wherein said propellant grains are mono-perforated double base having a length of 0.035 inch, diameter of 0.035 inch, perforation of 0.007 inch, and a bulk density of 0.940 gm/cc.

Claim 13

An extruded propellant for small arms cartridges of 0.30 caliber and smaller ammunition, said propellant having a minimum bulk density of 0.932 gm/cc and comprising cylindrical grains having a length to outer diameter ratio of approximately 0.9 to 1.1, and wherein said propellant grains comprise at least 85% colloided nitrocellulose by weight, said colloided propellant grains being substantially non-fibrous, colloidization of nitrocellulose achieved by dehydrating a water-wet nitrocellulose by alcohol displacement in a dehydrating press, feeding said dehydrated nitrocellulose with alcohol and acetone into a mixer to form a mix, ratio of said acetone to said alcohol being approximately 3 to 1, ratio in said mix of total solvent to solids being 7 to 3, subjecting said mix to a mixing cycle, drying resultant mix to form a dough, aging said dough at least 24 hours, macerating said aged dough, consolidating said macerated dough in a blocking press, and extruding said consolidated dough through a macaroni or screening press.

Claim 14

An extruded propellant for small arms cartridges of 0.30 caliber and smaller ammunition, said propellant having a minimum bulk density of 0.932 gm/cc and comprising cylindrical grains having a length to outer diameter ratio of approximately 0.9 to 1.1, and wherein said propellant grains comprise at least 85% colloided nitrocellulose by weight, said colloided propellant grains being substantially non-fibrous, colloidization of nitrocellulose achieved by dehydrating a water-wet nitrocellulose by alcohol displacement in a dehydrating press, feeding said dehydrated nitrocellulose with alcohol and acetone into a mixer to form a mix, ratio of said acetone to said alcohol being approximately 3 to 1, ratio in said mix of total solvent to solids being 7 to 3, subjecting said mix to a mixing cycle, drying resultant mix to form a dough, aging said dough at least 24 hours, macerating said aged dough, consolidating said macerated dough in a blocking press, and extruding said consolidated dough through a macaroni or screening press.