Quick, dumb question...
- Thread starter djmay71
- Start date
Salts in the primers? Do these salts help peserve the primers? Or do they increase the burn temperature of the primer?
I'm really interested in finding this out.
Also- why does it corrode the barrel/ internals of the firearm? Reactions to the metals?
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- middle of Sask
The crud left over from the primers isn't corrosive IIRC, but is hydroscopic (or is it hygroscopic?), so it pulls moisture out of the air.
Which therefore pulls moisture into the internals and the barrel. Thank you for educating me.
At least now the words "corrosive ammo" doesn't scare me anymore.
ghostntheshell
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- GTA ONTARIO
Corrosive salts in primers.
Rusts your gun in the same manner that road salts rust your car.
Rusts your gun in the same manner that road salts rust your car.
- Location
- Georgetown Ontario
From a thread long ago I remember reading about some surplus from China I think, that had mildly corrosive powder as well. Using corrosive ammo doesn't bug me as I've got no problem cleaning guns after shooting, I actually enjoy it as it's a great way to get to know my firearms better. Plus I've got lots of time to do so lately LOL.
No such thing as middly corrosive ammo, ammo is corrosive or not,no middle ground there...
Jocelyn
I think it's either hydrophilic or hygroscopic.
In laymans terms, both really mean the same thing.
I believe, however, there are subtle scientific differences in what each term specifically means. I think it has to do more with the chemistry of the hydrophilic (or hygroscopic) material, and how it interacts/absorbs/combines with water.
Hygroscopy is the ability of a substance to attract and hold water molecules from the surrounding environment. This is achieved through either absorption or adsorption with the absorbing or adsorbing material becoming physically 'changed,' somewhat, by an increase in volume, stickiness, or other physical characteristic of the material, as water molecules become 'suspended' between the material's molecules in the process. While some similar forces are at work here, it is different from capillary attraction, a process where glass or other 'solid' substances attract water, but are not changed in the process (for example, water molecules becoming suspended between the glass molecules).
Hydrophilic ~ water loving. Such compounds have an affinity to water and are usually charged or have polar side groups to their structure that will attract water.
Hydrophobic ~ water hating. These compounds are repelled by water and are usually neutral (no charge.)
In more depth, these terms have much to do with the structure of water itself. Water consists of two hydrogen atoms joined to one oxygen atom, all in a triangular pattern. The oxygen is negatively charged whilst the hydrogen end is positively charged. Thus, water molecules are actually attracted to each other and form hydrogen bonds.
Hydrophilic ~ water loving. Such compounds have an affinity to water and are usually charged or have polar side groups to their structure that will attract water.
Hydrophobic ~ water hating. These compounds are repelled by water and are usually neutral (no charge.)
In more depth, these terms have much to do with the structure of water itself. Water consists of two hydrogen atoms joined to one oxygen atom, all in a triangular pattern. The oxygen is negatively charged whilst the hydrogen end is positively charged. Thus, water molecules are actually attracted to each other and form hydrogen bonds.
PerversPépère
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Shawinigan (Quebec)
Mercuric primers have been dropped long since but the military corrosive primers containing sodium and potassium chlorate and perchlorate along with some powdered metals are very much alive and still largely used.
Byproducts of combustion leave potassium and sodium chloride which are hygroscopic and attract moisture. Left some time in contact with a bare steel barrel invites corrosion.
Easy cure is flooding the parts in contact with the salts with boiling water followed by thorough cleaning and oiling.
Some military firearms makers alleviate the problem somewhat by chroming bores and chambers.
PP.
Byproducts of combustion leave potassium and sodium chloride which are hygroscopic and attract moisture. Left some time in contact with a bare steel barrel invites corrosion.
Easy cure is flooding the parts in contact with the salts with boiling water followed by thorough cleaning and oiling.
Some military firearms makers alleviate the problem somewhat by chroming bores and chambers.
PP.
