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Return to “How well would a firearm like the M4 perform in outer space?”
- Sat Jun 15, 2013 7:19 pm
- Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
- Topic: How well would a firearm like the M4 perform in outer space?
- Replies: 50
- Views: 9149
Re: How well would a firearm like the M4 perform in outer sp
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- Fri Jun 14, 2013 6:26 pm
- Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
- Topic: How well would a firearm like the M4 perform in outer space?
- Replies: 50
- Views: 9149
Re: How well would a firearm like the M4 perform in outer sp
Nitroglycerin, a component of double-based powder, is a perfect example. It is a pure chemical containing oxygen and nitrogen. When it decomposes it creates nitrogen gas and heat. The heat expands the nitrogen gas and that is what causes the increase in pressure that causes the bullet to travel down the barrel. Of course, pure nitroglycerin would decompose so fast that it would destroy the gun.george wrote:I did not know that.WildBill wrote: I have no doubt that the cartridge would fire and the gun would cycle. Many people are still confused by "gunpowder" containing "oxygen". That is true with black powder, but not smokeless powder. Smokeless powder is actually a propellant that works by decomposing into gasses. The heat expands the gasses and propels the bullet from the barrel.
When I was in the solid rocket motor business one test that we performed measured the burn rate of the propellant by burning it under water. That type of propellant did have an oxidizer mixed into the formulation.
- Fri Jun 14, 2013 2:28 pm
- Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
- Topic: How well would a firearm like the M4 perform in outer space?
- Replies: 50
- Views: 9149
Re: How well would a firearm like the M4 perform in outer sp
I have worked on space hardware used on shuttle and ISS EVAs and well as rocket propulsion systems.
As I recall, Braycote was the most common lubricant on the EVA hardware. Many items also had surface coating as lubricants. Many of the EVA tools are commerically available items that have been modified for some of the conditions of space as well as crew safety. For example, torque wrenches that you could buy at Sears and Black and Decker battery-powered drills and screwdrivers. We did vibration and temperture cycle testing as part of the design verification and acceptance testing.
A caveat - if exposed to very low temperatures [-200F] carbon steel and brass will crack, so a kaboom is likely.
I have no doubt that the cartridge would fire and the gun would cycle. Many people are still confused by "gunpowder" containing "oxygen". That is true with black powder, but not smokeless powder. Smokeless powder is actually a propellant that works by decomposing into gasses. The heat expands the gasses and propels the bullet from the barrel.
As I recall, Braycote was the most common lubricant on the EVA hardware. Many items also had surface coating as lubricants. Many of the EVA tools are commerically available items that have been modified for some of the conditions of space as well as crew safety. For example, torque wrenches that you could buy at Sears and Black and Decker battery-powered drills and screwdrivers. We did vibration and temperture cycle testing as part of the design verification and acceptance testing.
A caveat - if exposed to very low temperatures [-200F] carbon steel and brass will crack, so a kaboom is likely.
I have no doubt that the cartridge would fire and the gun would cycle. Many people are still confused by "gunpowder" containing "oxygen". That is true with black powder, but not smokeless powder. Smokeless powder is actually a propellant that works by decomposing into gasses. The heat expands the gasses and propels the bullet from the barrel.