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💥 M1 Single-Base Artillery Propellant
Product Introduction
M1 propellant is a single-base artillery propellant based on nitrocellulose, and one of the most widely used artillery propellants in service worldwide. It is a cool-burning formulation designed to extend gun-tube service life while delivering consistent ballistic performance across a wide range of ambient temperatures.
M1 is the standard propellant loaded into the M4A2 White Bag incremental charges for 155 mm howitzers, and is also used in 105 mm and other medium-calibre artillery charge systems. Its multi-perforated cylindrical grain geometry provides a progressive burn profile, giving the ideal pressure curve for extended barrel life.
Composition
| Nitrocellulose (13.15% N) | 85.00 % |
| Dinitrotoluene (DNT) | 10.00 % |
| Dibutyl phthalate (plasticiser) | 5.00 % |
| Diphenylamine (stabiliser) | 1.00 % (added) |
| Graphite (glaze) | 0.30 % (added) |
Technical Specifications
| Type | Single-base (nitrocellulose) |
| Grain geometry | Multi-perforated cylindrical grain |
| Burn characteristic | Progressive, cool-burning |
| Flame temperature | ~2417 K (approx.) |
| Force constant | ~305 kJ/kg (approx.) |
| Density | ~1.57 g/cm³ |
| Shelf life | 15 years (typical, in sealed storage) |
| Operating temperature | −40 °C to +60 °C |
| Hazard classification | 1.3 C |
Applications
- 155 mm howitzer white-bag propelling charges (M4A2 and equivalents)
- 105 mm artillery charges
- Tank gun propelling charges (medium calibres)
- Training and low-zone artillery ammunition
- Standard reference propellant for interior ballistics analysis
Key Advantages
- Cool-burning — reduces gun-tube erosion and extends barrel life
- Proven reliability — one of the most extensively tested and deployed artillery propellants worldwide
- Wide temperature tolerance — stable performance across arctic to desert operating conditions
- Long shelf life — up to 15 years in properly sealed storage
- Cost-effective — single-base composition is economical to manufacture
Supply note: M1 propellant is supplied in bulk grain form for propellant charge manufacturers, or pre-loaded into finished charges such as the M4A2 White Bag. STEC Armour Malaysia can source both formats through qualified global manufacturers.