Primer Chemical Composition

[XXXXX]

Does anyone know with 100% certainty what chemical is used in primers? Preferably from a reputable information source which is easily cited and referenced.

Thank you.

 

[XXXXX]

Disregard, it is Lead Azide or Potassium Perchlorate.

 

[savagefan]

Heard a rumor that "Lead Styphnate" is used.

 

[prosper]

nobody uses perchlorate except backwards commie countries and old surplus ammo (usually from said countries)

 

[CanAm]

contact me I have a good text on the subject I can email you.

 

[B]

Lead Styphnate is used rather than the more sensitive Lead Azide IIRC.

 

[Eagleye]

Modern non-corrosive primers contain the following ingredients:
Lead Styphnate 35 - 43%
Barium Nitrate 29 - 40%
Antimony Sulphide 9 - 20%
Tetracene 3 - 4%
Calcium Silicide 8 - 12% [not always used]
Ground Glass up to 20% [not always used]
Nitrocellulose 5 - 6% [not always used]
Lead Peroxide and/or Lead hypophosphite [only occasionally used]
Also occasionally found in priming mixtures are: Zirconium, Aluminum & Pentaerythritol tetranitrate.

 

[mooncoon]

should you be wondering; the ground glass is to provide friction and therefore heat to ignite the priming compound

cheers mooncoon

 

[curtmg]

I thought it was just a bunch of white tip matches in there

 

[rnbra-shooter]

Also FYI, the potassium perchlorate leaves a salt residue, which attracts moisture, which causes the barrel to rust. I.e., "corrosive primers" are ones which use potassium perchorate.

A long, long time ago (1930s) fulminate of mercury was used. It wasn't corrosive, but in firing it released mercury vapour, which would embrittle the brass. Didn't matter for shoot-once brass (e.g. military, and most commercial use), but it did matter if you wanted to reload and reuse the brass.