Ballistite
This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (January 2017) |
Ballistite is a
in the late 19th century.Military adoption
Alfred Nobel patented[citation needed] [1] Ballistite in 1887 while he was living in Paris. His formulation was composed of 10% camphor and equal parts nitroglycerine and collodion.[2] The camphor reacted with any acidic products of the chemical breakdown of the two explosives. This both stabilized the explosive against further decomposition and prevented spontaneous explosions. However, camphor tends to evaporate over time, leaving a potentially unstable mixture.[3]
Nobel's patent specified that the nitrocellulose should be "of the well-known soluble kind". He offered to sell the rights of the new explosive to the French government, but they declined. Modern research shows that Vieille already discovered it in 1884-1885, about the same time as his Poudre B, and noted its high flame temperatures leading to bore erosion, which led French military to conclude it's unsuitable for military use (indeed, it was a problem for all the militaries which tried to use double- base propellants later).[4] Nobel subsequently licensed the rights to the Italian government, which entered into a contract on 1 August 1889 to obtain 300,000 kg (660,000 lb) of Ballistite; and Nobel opened a factory at Avigliana, Turin.[5]
The Italian Army swiftly replaced their M1870 and M1870/87 rifles, which used
Rifle grenades such as the ENERGA[7] and Spigot mortar rounds used in the PIAT[8] used Ballistite.[9][10][11]
Ballistite is still manufactured as a solid fuel rocket propellant, although the less volatile but chemically similar diphenylamine is used instead of camphor.[12]
Development of cordite and unsuccessful claim by Nobel of patent infringement
Meanwhile, a government committee in Great Britain, called the "Explosives Committee" and chaired by Sir
After unsuccessful negotiations, in 1893, Nobel sued Abel and Dewar over
References
- Notes
- ^ "Alfred Nobel's patents".
- ^ Schűck & Sohlman 1929, p. 136
- ^ Schűck & Sohlman 1929, pp. 140–141
- ^ Bergman, Yoel (January 2009). "Paul Vieille, Cordite & Ballistite".
- ^ Schűck & Sohlman 1929, pp. 138–9
- ^ Schűck & Sohlman 1929, pp. 139–140
- ^ https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/weapons/lightweapons/lightantitank/piat.htm
- ^ https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1018976/document/4310118.PDF
- ^ https://www.bayonetstrength.uk/BritishArmy/BritInfBn/Org%20of%20the%20British%20Inf%20Bn%201938-45.pdf
- ^ https://stephentaylorhistorian.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/ammunition-bulletin-no-51.pdf
- ^ https://www.bulletpicker.com/pdf/57%20Amm%204068,%20Ammunition%20and%20Package%20Markings.pdf
- ^ http://chemistry-chemists.com/chemister/Warning/Explosives/High-Explosives-And-Propellants.pdf
- ^ a b c Schück & Sohlman, page 142
- Sources
- Davis, Tenney L (1943). The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives. Vol. II. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
- Schűck, H; Sohlman, R (1929). The Life of Alfred Nobel. London: William Heinemann Ltd.