Republic of the Philippines

ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE

www.ispsc.edu.ph | op@ispsc.edu.ph

LECTURE NOTES IN FOREN 6- FORENSIC BALLISTICS

I. Brief History in the Study of Forensic Ballistics

Ballistics
 derived from the Greek word Ballo or Ballien which means “to throw”.
 it is the scientific study of propulsion and motion of projectiles such as bullets, artillery
shells, rockets or missiles.
Ballista- it is a gigantic bow or catapult which was used to hurl large objects such as stones at a
particular distance to deter animals or enemy
 In general, it is the science of motion of projectiles.
 Technically, it refers to the science of firearms identification.
 In legal terms, It is the microscopic examination of fired cartridge cases and bullets together
with the recording and presentation by means of photography of what is revealed by the
microscope.

Generally: Ballistics includes-

1. Science- it is a systematic body of knowledge
2. Projectiles- metallic or non-metallic objects propelled from a firearm
3. Motions- it refers to the movement of projectiles launched from firearms.
4. Direct-forward movement of the projectile inside the gun barrel resulting from the expanding
force of gasses produced after combustion of the gunpowder.
5. Rotary- the gyrating action, either right or left, of the projectile while passing through the gun
barrel.
BRANCHES OF BALLISTICS
1. Internal (Interior) Ballistics-it is the branch of science that has something to do with the properties
and attributes of the projectile while still inside the gun.
Actions involved in Interior Ballistics
1. Ignition of the primer
2. Flames is produced
3. Combustion of the gunpowder
4. Energy will be generated
5. Force/pressure developed
6. Velocity of the bullet

Page 1 of 15
 Republic of the Philippines
ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
www.ispsc.edu.ph | op@ispsc.edu.ph

7. Rotation of the bullet

8. Engraving of the cylindrical surface of the bullet

Related Terminologies in Interior Ballistics

1. Action - the loading and firing mechanism of a firearm.
2. Chamber pressure - generated within the chamber erroneously called breeched pressure.
3. Hangfire - occurs when a cartridge fails to explode on time or delayed f firing.
4. Misfire - it is the total failure of the cartridge to discharge.
5. Pressure- outward push of gases from powder combustion against cartridge case, chamber and
bore.
6. Recoil-the equal and opposite reaction of the gun against the forward movement of the bullet
during the explosions.

2. Exterior Ballistics
 is the branch of science that deals with the projectile after it clears the muzzle and throughout
its time of flight.
 refers to the attributes and movement of the bullet after it has left the muzzle of the gun.

Types of Exterior Ballistics

a. Muzzle blast- noise created at the muzzle point of the gun due to the sudden escape of the
expanding gas coming in contact with the air in the surrounding atmosphere at the muzzle
point.
b. Trajectory- the actual curved path of the bullet during its flight from the gun muzzle to the
target.
c. Range- the straight distance between the muzzle point and the target.
d. Velocity-rate of speed of the bullet per unit of time.
e. Air Resistance-it refers to the resistance encountered by the bullet while in flight.
f. Pull of gravity- downward reaction of the bullet while in flight.
g. Penetration- depth of entry on target.
h. Yaw-the unstable rotating motion of the bullet.
i. Gyroscopic action-it is the stillness of its rotating motion and attained its highest momentum
or stability in flight and penetrating power.

3. Terminal Ballistics- is the branch of science that deals with the impact and force imparted on the
target.
Means of Producing Damage
a) Fragmentation
b) Impact
c) Blast
d) Debris
e) Heat
f) Fire
g) Chemical Reaction

Page 2 of 15
 Republic of the Philippines
ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
www.ispsc.edu.ph | op@ispsc.edu.ph

h) Bacteriological Action
i) Radioactivity
4. Translational-the straight-line movement where every part of the projectile follows as parallel
path and no rotation takes place such as bouncing of a bullet after hitting a resistant surface.

Forensic Ballistics-
FORENSIC comes from the word “Forum” it means “Public Discussion”. A place, meeting or
medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchange.

 it is the firearms identification.

 Is the examination of evidence relating to firearms at a crime scene which studies ballistics
speed, mobility, angular movement and the effect of projectiles such as bullets, missiles and
bombs.
 it is the branch that involves the investigation and identification of firearms by means of
ammunitions fired through them.
 the application of ballistic principles to legal matters especially during court proceedings.
 it is the field of forensic science focused on scientific analysis of ballistic related evidence
(PHYSICAL EVIDENCE) and ballistic related phenomena (FACTS) with the exclusive
purpose of interpreting the facts or establishing the truth involving a shooting incident.
Forensic Ballistics Expert – is who matches, analyzes, and examine bullets, cartridges, fragments
and evidence with the weapons of alleged suspects or other involved in a case.

FIREARM
 it includes rifles, muskets, carbines, shotguns, pistols, revolvers and all other deadly weapons
from which bullets, balls, shots, shells, or other missiles may be discharged by means of
gunpowder or other explosives.
 it refers to an instrument that is used for the propulsion of projectiles by means of expansive
force of gases coming from burning powder.
TWO GROUPS OF FIREARMS

1. Long Arms or Shoulder Arms

A.) Rifle is a firearm with a rifled barrel designed to be fired from the shoulder.
TYPES:
1. Single shot
2. Lever action
3. Bolt action
4. Pump action
5. Auto- Loading(automatic rifles)
B.) Musket- refers to a long smooth bore firearm designed to prepare a single shot.

Page 3 of 15
 Republic of the Philippines
ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
www.ispsc.edu.ph | op@ispsc.edu.ph

C.) Shotgun- refers to a shoulder gun with smooth- bored barrel primarily intended for firing
multiple small, round projectiles, larger shot, single round balls and cylindrical slugs.
D.) Carbine- is a short barrel rifle, having a barrel not longer than 22 inches.
 it is designed to fire a single shot through a rifled-bore, either automatic and semi-automatic.

RIFLE- Cal. 30
1. Barrel Assembly
2. Magazine Assembly
3. Stock Group
2. Hand Arms or Short Arms
A.) Pistol- It is a small, portable firearm that is held, aimed and fired with one hand and has a short
barrel and a breech lock and load firing mechanism.
B.) Revolvers- a firearm designed to be fired from the hand and having a rifled barrel and a
revolving cylinder containing several chambers each of which holds one cartridge.

II. PISTOL- Cal. 45

1. Barrel Assembly
2. Slide Assembly
3. Frame Assembly
TWO GENERAL CLASSES OF FIREARMS
1. According to Gun Barrel Internal Construction
A. Smooth bore firearms - these refer to the firearms that have no riflings.
B. Rifled bore Firearms - these refer to the firearms that have rifling inside the gun barrel.

2. Types of Firearms According to Caliber of Projectiles Propelled.

A. Artillery- a firearms that propel projectiles more than one inch in diameter.
B. Small Arms- are firearms that propel projectiles less than 1 inch in diameter.

3. Types of Firearms According to Mechanical Construction

a) Single Shot Firearms - a type of firearm designed to fire only one shot for every loading.
b) Repeating Arm -This firearm fires several shots in one loading.
c) Bolt Action Type- The reloading is done by manipulation of the bolt.
d) Automatic Loading Type- Automatic loading or feeding of the chamber takes place after the
first was fired.
Page 4 of 15
 Republic of the Philippines
ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
www.ispsc.edu.ph | op@ispsc.edu.ph

e) Slide Action Type - The loading takes place by back and forth manipulation of the under
forearm of the gun.
f) Lever Type - The loading takes place by lever action on the firearms.

4. Types of Firearms According to Use

1. Military Firearms
a) Pistols
b) Revolvers
c) Rifles
d) Machine guns
2. Pocket and Home Defense Firearms
a) Pistols
b) Rifles
c) Revolvers
d) Shotguns
3. Target and Outdoor Men’s Firearms
a) Pistols
b) Revolvers
V. Unusual or Miscellaneous Types- those types of firearms that are unique in mechanism and
construction

THE THREE MAIN PARTS

I. REVOLVER
1. Barrel Assembly
2. Cylinder Assembly
3. Frame or Receiver
2. PISTOL
1. Barrel assembly
2. slide assembly
3. frame or receiver
3. RIFLE
1. Barrel assembly
2. magazine assembly
Page 5 of 15
 Republic of the Philippines
ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
www.ispsc.edu.ph | op@ispsc.edu.ph

3. stock group
4. SHOTGUN
1. Barrel Assembly
2. Magazine Assembly
3. Stock group
SYSTEMATIC NAMING AND FUNCTION OF FIREARM
a) BARREL- initiates the path of the bullet
b) FRAME- houses the internal parts.
c) CYLINDER- serves as chamber and magazine.
d) YOKE- connecting pivot between the frame and the cylinder.
e) EXTRACTOR- pulls the empty shells from the cylinder simultaneously.
f) EXTRACTOR ROD- activates the extractor and is a locking device
g) CENTER PIN SPRING- holds the center pin in a locked position.
h) CENTER PIN- serves as the locking device for the cylinder.
i) SIDE PLATE- provide access to the internal parts.
j) SIDE PLATE SCREWS- hold the side plate and yoke in place.
k) HAMMER BLOCK- safety device that prevents hammer to blow.
l) DOUBLE ACTION SEAR- built into weapon to allow double action fire.
m) HAMMER- strikes the blow that initiates or ignites primer
n) BOLT- disengages center pin to allow opening of cylinder and blocks hammer.
o) THUMBLATCH- actuates bolt to release the cylinder.
p) HAND- rotates the cylinder when the hammer is cocked.
q) CYLINDER STOP- stops and hold the cylinder alignment for firing.
r) TRIGGER- actuates the fire necessary to fire the weapon.
s) TRIGGER GUARD-guards the trigger from unnecessary action to avoid accidental firing.
t) REBOUND SLIDE-returns trigger, actuates hammer block and locks hammer.
u) TRIGGER SPRING- provides energy for return movement or rebound slide.
v) TRIGGER LEVEL- contacts rebound slide to return trigger forward.
w) MAIN SPRING- provides energy to the hammer to activate firing mechanism.
x) STRAIN SCREW- controls tension on the mainspring.
y) TRIGGER STOP- prevents excessive rearward movement after hammer release.
z) RACHET- helps in the withdrawal of the cartridge of the shells from the chambers of the
cylinder.
aa) CYLINDER NOTCH- it helps hold cylinder in place and aligned ready for firing.
Page 6 of 15
 Republic of the Philippines
ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
www.ispsc.edu.ph | op@ispsc.edu.ph

CARTRIDGE
 Derived from the Latin word “charta” which means paper and from French word
“cartouche” which means roll of paper.
 It means the completely assembled cartridge case, primer, propellant powder charge and
bullet.
 It means a complete unfired unit consisting of a bullet, cartridge, case, gunpowder and
primer.
 It refers to the cylindrical casing containing the primer and propellant for a firearm. A case
capsule, shell or bag of metal, pasteboard, or the like, containing the explosive charge and in
small arms and some cannon, the projectile to be fired.

General Parts of Ammunitions/Cartridge

1. Bullet - this refers to a projectile propelled from a firearm by means of the expansive force of
gases coming from the burning gunpowder.
2. Cartridge Case - This refers to the tubular metallic container for the gunpowder. Sometimes
called the shell.
3. Gunpowder - this refers to the propellant which when ignited by the primer flash is converted to
gas under high pressure and propels the bullet or shot charge through the barrel and on to the target.
4. Primer- this refers to the metal cap containing the highly sensitive priming mixture of chemical
compound which when hit or struck by firing pin would ignite.

The Anatomy of a centerfire rifle cartridge

1. Case- Usually made of brass and contains the powder charge, the primer and the bullet.
2. Bullet- A single projectile fired from a firearm.
3. Crimp- the portion of a cartridge case that is bent inward to hold the bullet in place.
4. Powder- the general term for any chemical compound or mixtures used in firearms that burns
upon ignition.
5. Primer- the collective term for any chemical compound, cup and anvil.
6. Rim- The edge on the base of a cartridge case. It is the part of the case gripped by the
extractor to remove it from the chamber.

PROJECTILE
 An object that is thrown, fired or otherwise impelled toward a target.
Page 7 of 15
 Republic of the Philippines
ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
www.ispsc.edu.ph | op@ispsc.edu.ph

BULLET
 an elongated metal projectile crimped into the mouth of a metal cartridge case and designed
to be fired from a rifle, pistol, machine gun, or other weapon. Bullet originated from the
French word “BOULETTE” meaning a small ball. In government parlance, a cartridge
containing a bullet is still called “BALL CARTRIDGE”. From the original terminology of
the days when a bullets were balls.
 refers to metallic or non-metallic, cylindrical projectile form a firearm by means of expensive
force of gases coming form burning gunpowder.
 Layman’s terms of bullet is “SLUG”.
PELLET
 small spherical projectiles loaded in shotshells and more often called “shot”.
 Also the skirted projectiles use in pellet guns.

What is the bullet flight theory?

 Bullet does not flight in a straight line. Its true they fall towards the earth at the same rate as
dropped from the hand, but actually they travel in parabolic trajectory as range increases and
velocity drops off.

BULLET TERMINOLOGIES

BASE- The portion of the bullet that receives the thrust and the heat from the burning powder.
BEARING SURFACE- The area of the bullet that contacts the barrel rifling. A tight ft s required to
prevent chamber pressure leaks and to provide good contacts with the rifling grooves.
CANNELURE- A ring depression around the body of a bullet used to receive the case crimp.
CORE- the bulk of the mass n a bullet. Usually lead component but sometimes containing other
metals for special purposes such as penetration and tracing.
HEAD HEIGHT- Length of the bullet from the shoulder to the tip.
HEEL- The location on the bullet where the heel ends and the bearing surface begins.
JACKET BULLETS have a material different from the core material that covers some or the entire
core. Commonly used materials include propper, brass, steel, and aluminu

Page 8 of 15
 Republic of the Philippines
ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
www.ispsc.edu.ph | op@ispsc.edu.ph

CORE - the bulk of the mass n a bullet. Usually lead component but sometimes containing other
metals for special purposes such as penetration and tracing.
MEPLAT - The diameter of the flat or blunt end of the nose of bullet.
OGIVE - The radius of curve between the bearing surface and the point usually stated with respect to
the caliber.
POINT - The most forward point of the ogive.
SHOULDER - The place on the bullet where the parallel sides end and the ogive begins.

Classification of Bullet According to Mechanical Construction

1.Lead Bullets - those which are made of lead or alloy of this metals such as lead, tin and antimony.
2. Jacketed Bullets - those with a core of lead alloy covered a jacket of harder metal such as gilding
metal and copper zinc.

 Copper plated steel maybe used instead of gilding metal for the jacket of caliber .45 –jacket
of metal patch made of cupronickel or gilding metal.
 If jacket bullets are used in a revolvers, the barrel will be loosened and destroyed.

Purposes of the jacketed

 Keep the bullet intact and from not breaking up when strike the target.
 Prevent from damage while in the weapon.
 Control expansion.

TYPES OF BULLETS
ACCORDING TO SHAPE
1. .Pointed Bullet
2. Round Nose Bullet
3. Wad Cutter Bullet

COMMON BULLET TYPES

1. Solid Lead Point
2. Solid Hollow Point
3. Solid Paper Patch

Page 9 of 15
 Republic of the Philippines
ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
www.ispsc.edu.ph | op@ispsc.edu.ph

4. Metal Cased
5. Metal Cased Hollow Point
6. Metal CASED HOLLOW Point
7. Metal point

Types of Projectiles
Lead Bullets
 this are soft and may undergo extreme deformation or fragmentation upon hitting the target.
They are only used in low-velocity firearms.

Lead-alloy bullets
 it contains elements like tin or antimony to make them harder and thus can be used in higher
velocity firearms, but they too readily deform on impact.
Semi-jacketed bullets
 this are usually have a lead core covered with a thin jacket of brass.
Fully jacketed bullets
 have their lead core entirely covered by a harder metal jacket which significantly reduces the
expansion of the bullet both upon entering the barrel and hitting the target.

TYPES OF BULLETS
ACCORDING TO USE
Types of Bullets According to Use
1. Ball Bullets- have soft cores and are used against personnel.
2. Armour Piercing Bullet-have hardened steel cores and are fired against vehicles, weapons
and armored targets in general.
3. Tracer Bullets- contains compound usually similar to barium nitrates which is set on fire
when the bullet is projected. The flash of this smoke from this burning permits the flight of
the bullet to be seen.
4. Incendiary Bullets-contains mixture such as phosphorous or other materials, that can be set
on fire by impact. They are used against target that will burn readily such as aircraft.
5. Explosives Bullets- contains a high charge of high explosive and because of their small size it
is difficult to make a fuse that will work reliably in small arms ammunition. . For this reason
the use of high explosive bullets is usually limited to 20mm and above.

Page 10 of 15
 Republic of the Philippines
ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
www.ispsc.edu.ph | op@ispsc.edu.ph

Cartridge Case-
 is a metallic or non-metallic tabular container usually made of brass (70% copper and 30%
zinc); it is designed to unite the bullet, primer and the gunpowder into one unit. It is also
known as a shell or casing.
 Traditionally, a cartridge case is made of brass although there are many present day
cartridges that are made of plastic, varnish steel, zinc-coated or even chemically coated are t
use.

Functions of the Cartridge Case

1. It properly locates the bullet relative to the bore of the firearm.
2. It is used to carry the means of ignition.
3. It provides gas seals at the breech against an unwanted escape of propellant gas upon firing.
4. Serves as the waterproof container for the propellant or powder charge.
5. Acts as the insulator between the propellant and the hot walls of the chamber in a rapid firing
of firearms.

Types of Cartridge Case

1. Straight type = a type of a cartridge case or shell which has a straight shell body usually found
on cartridge used in an automatic weapon.
2. Tapered type= a type of a cartridge case similar to a flower base. It is found in calibre .22
magnum-jet.
3. Bottle-neck= a type of cartridge commonly found in ammunitions for rifles.

There are 5 types of Cartridges:

 Rimmed
 Semi-Rimmed
 Rimless
 Belted
 Rebated
Parts of a Shotshell and Gauge
 The ammunition used for shotguns is called a shell (or a shotshell). All modern shotguns
shoot shotshells. Bird hunters use shotshells containing small shot, or pellets. Deer or bear
Page 11 of 15
 Republic of the Philippines
ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
www.ispsc.edu.ph | op@ispsc.edu.ph

hunters use shotshells which contain very large shot pellets or slugs. All waterfowl hunters
must now use approved non-toxic shot. Not all shotguns can shoot steel shot safely. Contact a
qualified gunsmith or the manufacturer to learn if your gun is approved for steel shot.
 All modern shotshells use centerfire primers located in the (bottom) center of the
ammunition. Just as with rifle and handgun cartridges, shotshells are also called centerfire
ammunition. Centerfire shotshell hulls can be reloaded.

Shotshells have five main parts.

 Hull (or case): The hull holds the primer, powder, wad, and shot pellets (or slug).
 Primer: The primer compound explodes when struck by the firing pin and ignites the
powder.
 Powder: The powder burns and creates gas to move the wad and shot down and out the
bore.
 Wad: The wad protects the shot and/or barrel and seals the gas behind the shot charge.
 Shot: The shot (pellets) strikes the target.
Parts of a Shotshell and Gauge
Primers
 They are devices that when sharply struck, burn, or explode to provide the heat source
required to ignite the propellant charge.
 It provides an initial spark or flame.
 It establishes the pre ignition pressure for the main charge
 Provide a gas seal for the cartridge.
 It is a small, self- contained metallic ignition cap at the center of the base of the ammunition
case.

ORIGIN
Alexander John Forsyth- he is the first one to concieve the idea of using detonating compounds for
igniting powder charges in small arms by percussion.

PERSONS BEHIND BALISTICS

1. John M. Browning- wizard of modern firearms and pioneered the breech loading single shot
rifle.
2. Samuel Colt- produced the first practical revolver bringing it to what most gunsmiths would
agree was its perfect form in the Colt Army 1873 mode. Known for his .45 caliber.
Page 12 of 15
 Republic of the Philippines
ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
www.ispsc.edu.ph | op@ispsc.edu.ph

3. Henry Derringer- he gave his name to the whole class of firearms.

4. Lt. Col. Patrick Ferguson- a British Army who designed his rifle and demonstrated it before
the King at Windsor resulting in orders for 100 rifles, trained a company of men in the use of
rifle and sailed in America in 1777.
5. Benjamin Robins- he was the one who developed the ballistic pendulum. He was the first to
undertake a systematic series of experiments to determine the velocity of projectiles.
6. Sir Isaac Newton- A Britist scientist who explain the cause of the curvilinear motion of
projectiles thru gravitation.
7. Alexander John Forsyth- father of the percussion ignition.
8. Uziel Gal.- He invented Uzi Submachine in 1950 and used by the Israeli for the first time
during its Sinai campaign in 1956.
9. John C. Garand- he designed and invented the Semi-Automatic US rifle Cal. 30.
10. Col. Calvin H. Goddard- the father of Modern Ballistics.
11. Mikhael Kalashnikov- is a famous Russian gun designer. He started his engineering career
working and able to learn mechanics.
12. James Wolfe Repley- he stimulated the development of the Model 1855 rifled musket.
13. Elisha King Root- He designed the machinery of making Colt Firearms. He was recognized
as one of the top machinists in the U.S.
14. Berthold Schwartz- a German monk
15. Roger Bacon- An English monk They are credited for their gunpowder invention
16. Horace Smith- Founded the great firm Smith and Wesson and pioneered the making of
breech- loading rifles.
17. Sir Sydney Smith- Founder of the Medico-legal facility at Cairo University and later Regis
Professor of Forensic Medicine at Edinburgh, was the one of the loading exponents, studying
entrance and exit wounds, powder burns and powder tattooing on human skin and other
medical phenomena associated with gun fires.
18. Eugene Stoner- He was the developer and designer of the AR15/M16 rifle.
19. Galileo- he proved that in a vacuum a projectile describes a parabolic arc.
20. Sir Isaac Newton- law of gravitation. It is the cause of the curvilinear motion of the projectile.
21. Col. Calvin Goddard- Father of modern ballistics
22. Professor V. Baltahazard-he devised a series of procedures to identify fired bullets to the
firearms from which they were fired.

KINDS OF PRIMERS
Page 13 of 15
 Republic of the Philippines
ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
www.ispsc.edu.ph | op@ispsc.edu.ph

1. Berdan Primer- the primer cup contains only the priming mixture and the anvil is part of the
cartidge case.
 the flash holes are not centered in the case’s base.
2. Boxer primer- the anvil is an integral part of the primer assembly.
Parts of Primer and Function
1. Primer Cap- it is a soft guiding metal which serves as the container of priming mixture, paper
disc and anvil.
2. Priming Mixture- contains a small amount of explosive mixture which is sufficiently sensitive to
result of chemical reaction being set up by the caused by a sudden blow.
3. Paper disc- this is made of thin shellacked paper disc that protects the priming mixture that will
cause its disintegration.
4. Anvil- it is made of spring tempered brass place inside the primer and it is on this side or point
which the priming mixture is crushed.
GUNPOWDER
 is the propellant which when ignited by the primer flash is converted it to gas under high
pressure and propels the bullet
 Refers to chemical substance of various compositions, particle sizes, shapes and colors that,
on ignition, serves as a propellant.
 It is a granular, explosive mixture of potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal, formerly used as
a gun propellant and for blasting in mines, quarries, and construction projects.

Two Types of Powder

1. Black Powder- The standard ingredients are:
 Potassium Nitrate- 75%
 Sulphur 10%
 Charcoal 15%.
 It produces time pressure curves that are remarkably similar to modern propellants, indicating
progressive burning and a measured release of energy over time.

Characteristics:
 Oldest propellant powder
 Consist of irregular grains and have either a dull or shiny black surface
 Produces grayish smoke and considerable residue is left in the barrel
 Burns with reasonable great rapidity when ignited
Page 14 of 15
 Republic of the Philippines
ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
www.ispsc.edu.ph | op@ispsc.edu.ph

 When ignited, it will burn by itself without aid from the outside air
 In burning, it gives off large amount of gas
 A considerable amount of heat is evolved
.
2. Smokeless Powder
 it is a propellant used in guns and small solid propellant rockets. It is not a powder in the
sense of being finely divided.
 It is made in the form of disks, cylinders, cords, spheres or plates of varying sizes.
 It has nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine as the major ingredients mixed with one or more
minor ingredients such as centralite, vaseline esters, inorganic salts etc.

CLASSIFICATION OF SMOKELESS POWDER

1. Single Based (Nitrocellulose)- pure nitroglycerin gelatinized with nitrocellulose
2. Double Based- Nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine with the following ingredients;
a) Centralite
b) vaseline phthalate esters
c) inorganic salt

Prepared by:

ERIC T. COBANGBANG, Rcrim

Subject instructor

Page 15 of 15