Talk:Ball propellant

Theory of fouling and muzzle flash

While reviewing references during preparation of this article, I encountered information suggesting a hypothesis for early fouling problems. Propellant reactions are often described as "burning"; but there are significant differences from commonly observed combustion in an atmosphere with surplus oxygen. Internal ballistics involves chemical decomposition within the oxygen-deficient reaction chamber of the rifle barrel between the breech and the bullet. The reaction does not immediately create carbon dioxide and steam from nitrocellulose, but proceeds through a number of intermediate gaseous compounds under the high temperatures and pressures within the rifle barrel. The overall composition of early ball propellants created compounds with the approximate ratio of C₅H₅NO₄. It is tempting to rationalize this ratio into gaseous carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and nitrogen with a little soot from the excess carbon; but it is probably more realistic to include some formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and ammonia. Muzzle flash is produced by the reaction of these hot gaseous molecules with atmospheric oxygen to form carbon dioxide and steam after the bullet leaves the barrel.

During passage down the barrel, hot combustion gas may contact the cooler interior surface of the rifle barrel where conditions may favor an aldol condensation reaction. Such reactions could create polymers similar to polyoxymethylene plastics or urea-formaldehyde resin. A gas molecule is 37 percent more likely to have a barrel condensation reaction opportunity in the bore of a 5.56×45mm NATO rifle than in a 7.62×51mm NATO rifle, which might explain the increased fouling problems experienced with the M16 rifle. Documentation of ball propellant shelf-life has encouraged moving overall ratios toward C₄H₅NO₄ by reducing stabilizer concentrations. This would reduce the reaction chamber oxygen deficit; and may have reduced formation of plastic fouling.

This speculation remains within the realm of original research unless I can find some published references stating similar conclusions regarding the widely reported observations. Please edit this article or let me know if you find supporting published material. Thewellman (talk) 21:44, 2 July 2013 (UTC)

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