The Novel Usage of Nitrocellulose as a Propellant of 5.56 mm Bullet

EasyChair Preprint 2708

Abstract

Black powder is predicted to be more expensive in relation to the world oil shortage crisis in future. However, cellulose (generic chemical formula (C6H10O5) is the carbohydrate that makes up the main structure of plants. It seems to be more economical especially for countries with a lot of natural resources and rain forest like Malaysia. The findings of the study reveal the capability of nitrocellulose as gunpowder. In this research, a comparison of the same mass of nitrocellulose and gunpowder is done to find out which propellant is able to produce longer distance and greater impact. From this study, the main objective is to find out the performance and capability of nitrocellulose from various samples such as Rhizophora (Hardwood), Palm Oil Bunches (Empty Fruit Bunches) and Kenaf Bast (Soft Wood) compared to gunpowder in terms of velocity, calorific value of bullets and kinetic energy produced. The result of this study is that the nitrocellulose performs better than gunpowder. The new application of smokeless gunpowder makes troops especially snipers more difficult to be detected by our enemy while at the same time improves our safety and security level.

Keyphrases: Gun cotton, Nitrocellulose, Rhizophora apiculata

@booklet{EasyChair:2708,
  author    = {Mohd Najib Abdul Ghani Yolhamid and Farizha Ibrahim and Mohamad Abu Ubaidah Amir Abu Zarim and Rushdan Ibrahim and Sharmiza Adnan and Muhd Zu Azhan Yahya},
  title     = {The Novel Usage of Nitrocellulose as a Propellant of 5.56 mm Bullet},
  howpublished = {EasyChair Preprint 2708},
  year      = {EasyChair, 2020}}