Development of nitrocellulose as a propellant in rounds 5.56mm ball

Nitrocellulose also known as a gun cotton is produced through nitrating process. Currently, Malaysia is still buying gunpowder from other countries for our small arms industry. This scenario does not give a good strategic effect on our defence policy. Malaysia’s survival when facing a prolonged crisis will not be at its optimal defensive capacity. Malaysia will face the possibility of running out of ammunition due to supply blockades from enemies and their possible allies. However, Malaysia has a lot of resources that can be used as a defence lifeline. In Malaysia, there are a lot of farm wastes, trees and other fibres that can be processed as nitrocellulose through the process of pulping, bleaching and nitrating. Through this process, a propellant grade nitrocellulose can be produced. This study is mainly done to investigate the powder or propellant charge effect in terms of kinetic energy and calorific value of the small arms bullet using Nitrocellulose, extracted from Rhizophora Apiculata, Kenaf Bast and Palm Oil Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB). After nitrocellulose was successfully produced, it was tested through firing test. The inhouse nitrocellulose produced was then compared with Rounds 5.56mm Ball (M193) Gunpowder in terms of muzzle velocity and kinetic energy produced. The findings revealed that raw nitrocellulose with nitrogen content 10.8% to 11.4% can be produced through this study. The nitrocellulose surprisingly produced the average reading of 39% higher for muzzle velocity and 63% higher for kinetic energy when tested at Ballistic Lab of STRIDE Batu Arang, Selangor. Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetric (DSC) measurement were also carried out to further investigate the properties and purity of nitrocellulose. This shows a great opportunity for Malaysian defence industry to develop new sources for the most important part of weapon, which is the propellant itself.