Lead Free Ammunition without Toxic Propellant Gases

Abstract

Environmental and health considerations have encouraged the development of ammunition with substitutes for lead and other heavy metals. In general, the emission products from munitions containing nitro‐based propellants are highly complex mixtures of gases, vapors, and solid particles. The major combustion products are H2O, CO, CO2, H2, and N2. In addition, compounds including hydrogen cyanide (HCN), ammonia (NH3), methane (CH4), nitrogen oxides, benzene, acrylonitrile, toluene, furan, aromatic amines, benzopyrene, and various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are detected in minor concentrations. Many of the identified chemical species have severe toxicological properties, and some of the compounds do even have mutagenic effects. Gun smoke emission is a concern because its exposure to humans may be substantial during military and civilian police training, as respiratory protection equipment is not routinely worn. In this work we study the compositions of some of the main decomposition products, experimentally as well as theoretically. The concept of frozen equilibrium at around 1500–2000 K appears to apply for CO, CO2, and H2. However, the trace species in the combustion mixtures appear theoretically to be present in negligible concentrations. Our measured results are many orders of magnitude higher than theoretical results in open space. We forecast that future development of gun powder will focus on reducing the amount of toxic trace species.

Health effects after firing small arms comparing leaded and unleaded ammunition

“…Many of the identified chemical species in fumes released after firing are toxic (Moxnes et al, 2013), but lead is the only compound that has been extensively studied and documented. From the mid-1970s to mid-1990s, several studies focused on shooters exposed to lead, both indoor and outdoor at shooting ranges (Anderson et al, 1977;Chau et al, 1995;Fischbein, 1992;Landrigan et al, 1975;Novotny et al, 1987;Svensson et al, 1992).…”

“…In addition, inhalable metal particles from the brass cartridge, percussion cap and bullet are formed during firing. Depending on the type of ammunition that is used, these metals are typically copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), antimony (Sb) and lead (Pb) (Moxnes et al, 2013). In addition, mix of soot, unbumed propellant, other metals (e.g.…”

“…The major combustion products from the propellants are water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C 02), hydro gen (H2) and nitrogen (N2) (Moxnes et al, 2013). Several gases and organic compounds are present in minor concen trations, such as ammonia (NH3), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), methane (CH4) and benzene (Moxnes et al, 2013). Some propellants contain metals such as lead (Pb), tin (Sn), and bismuth (Bi).…”

Tiro-aztarnen identifikazioa, auzitegi-laborategien erronka

“…Orain dela urte batzuk, tiro-eremuetan sortzen diren metal astunen maila altuen eraginpean sor daitezkeen osasun eta ingurumen arazoak saihesteko, «berunik gabeko» («lead-free») eta «metal astunik gabeko» («heavy metal free») munizioak merkaturatu ziren, eta azkeneko horietan ordezkatu egin zen hasarazleko beruna, barioa eta antimonioa estrontzioarekin, potasiodun oxidatzaileekin, diazodinitrofenolarekin edo kaltzio siliziuroarekin [13][14][15]. Munizio berdeak deritzen horiek, alabaina, ENFSIren irizpideetan oinarritutako zalantzarik gabeko tiro-aztarnen identifikazioa egitea galarazten dute.…”

Calculation of Decomposition Products from Components of Gunpowder by using ReaxFF Reactive Force Field Molecular Dynamics and Thermodynamic Calculations of Equilibrium Composition

“…The prediction of the major chemical species agrees fairly well with the measurements. The concept of frozen equilibrium appears to apply only for N 2 , H 2 , CO, and CO 2 (at around 1500-1800 K) [10,11]. However, there is a rather poor agreement for the minor species, which are produced during decomposition, especially the organic compounds.…”