Oxygen eaters killing ammo?

[.cheese.]

Is there an oxidizer in smokeless powder?

If so, would an oxygen eater such as that in the Zorb-It anti-corrosive packs eventually render the oxidizer inert?

 

[Titan6]

No. Ammo is sealed air tight.

 

[rkh]

Ammo may or may not be airtight.

Even if not, an oxygen absorber would have no impact on the efficacy of smokeless powders. Neither nitrocellulose nor nitroglycerin out-gas, and even if they did, propellants do not rely on gasses within the case. I'm at a loss, however, as to why you want to store ammo in an oxygen-free environment. I get the feeling that you haven't thought this plan all the way through.

What you need to be concerned about is not gaseous oxygen, but rather moisture and temperature extremes.

 

[trueblue1776]

Titan is 100%, I have water tested, trying to justify using sealant on my reloads, the untreated ammo can sit for months in water and still works. Ain't nothin gettin in those.

 

[rkh]

This is an image from the ammo oracle, showing water penetration in a milsurp Lake City 5.56 cartridge after 48 hours of submersion.

I know this isn't the OP's question, but most ammo is at best 'water resistant.'

 

[trueblue1776]

LC needs to crimp.

 

[GunTech]

The oxidizer in propellant is bound up chemically. No worries about oxygen scavengers. But if you seal you ammo for long term storage, I recommend dry nitrogen.

 

[Feanaro]

Is there an oxidizer in smokeless powder?

There's an oxidizer in all gunpowder. There has to be. Ain't enough oxygen in the case and barrel alone. The oxygen won't be released until ignition. Zorb-It away.

 

[HammerBite]

On the Zorb-It website I could find nothing about Zorb-It having anything to do with oxygen. It controls relative humidity and one variant emits a corrosion inhibitor.

 

[mrmeval]

Black powder and smokeless powder will work in the absence of gaseous oxygen as both contain their own oxidizer.

Smokeless is dried in a vacuum for some formulations.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokeless_powder

Other things that work without gaseous oxygen are various forms of thermite and all explosives except fuel/air mixtures.

Contaminants that enter the cartridge such as water, fuel, oils or corrosive gases are bad. Sealing cartridges with an oxygen and water absorbing pack in a sealed container will help prevent corrosion and keep contaminants out.

Any of you that have opened up a spam can of ammo know how well it can work.

 

[Titan6]

Airtight and water tight are not the same thing. Physics Forum is down right now but they have a decent explanation there.

In any case we can all agree that oxygen absorbers do not damage ammo.

 

[0007]

Actually most smokeless powders out-gas to a small degree. If you don't believe this, try opening an ammo can of centerfire ammo that has been sitting for a year or so. Mine all go "fsssss" with a delightful smell of ether from the nitro.

 

[roo_ster]

0007:

Sure that is not due to air temperature differential when you closed & then opened the container?