PROPELLANT POWDER BEHAVIOR � HANDLING SAFETY ASPECTS

Propellant powders represent a very important category of explosive substances that enter into the composition of ammunition, with military and civil purpose, in general in all systems where it is necessary to perform a progressive mechanical work. Propellant powders are widely spread in the military field and deflagration is the main form of explosive transformation. Propellant powders, also called colloidal powders, are homogeneous mixtures containing one or more energy-providing substances. Due to their improper use, during processing, handling, storage, transportation and use over time, countless explosion-type events have occurred, resulting in significant material damage and loss of human life. INCD INSEMEX, develops technical expertise of the events caused by such explosion phenomena in order to elucidate the causes that led to the occurrence of the respective events and, subsequently, for the scientific substantiation of technical solutions and specific regulations to prevent the occurrence of similar events. The paper presents standardization trials, experiments and their results regarding handling in safe conditions, to avoid work accidents.