A discussion on another forum about whether or not gun powder continues to burn for the whole length of the barrel has led me to wonder about a few things. First off what kinds of temperatures are reached in say a .30-06? And as a side note at the pressures and temeratures reached in a .30-06 is the powder gas a gas at all or a plasma? I'd also like to know how you guys come up with your answers if you don't mind.

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Just for my edification, what definition are you giving to the term PLASMA? roger

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
Just for my edification, what definition are you giving to the term PLASMA? roger

bartsche,

You prompted me to look it up for my own edifaction. Aside from the "liquids" definitions, Webster's def (5) is "a highly ionized gas containing nearly equal numbers of positive ions and electrons". Now that I know that I feel physically qualified.

SWAG method says 3-5,000 degrees either F or C, your pick. Plasma, not likely. I think a plasma would be at much higher temps and exist in an enviroment that lasts much longer than micro seconds in a bore. best-o-luck

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Physicists refer to "cold" and "hot" plasmams. "Cold" plasmas have one or more electrons stripped form their atoms, but one or more still bound. "Hot" plasma is so energetic that all the electrons are stipped and only electrons and nuclei remain. Neon tubes are an example of "cold plasma".

A common candle flame is hot enough in the blue part (at ~1400C) to produce plasma via heat.

JerkfaceII,

While not being as technicle as these other guys I can say that when I was heavly into trap shooting several years ago, I was involved in several conversations about the topic of powder burn and how burning gas in the barrel could affect the patern of the shot.

Someone produced a report from Federal about the ignition temp of their Fed. 209A primer. The hottest primer available to recreational shooters. The report stated the temp to be upwards of 10,000 deg F. I know from experience that the same primer w/o any powder will launch a charg of 1 1/8oz of shot almost 16 yards.

Just some thoughts, Joe

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
Just for my edification, what definition are you giving to the term PLASMA? roger

bartsche,

You prompted me to look it up for my own edifaction. Aside from the "liquids" definitions, Webster's def (5) is "a highly ionized gas containing nearly equal numbers of positive ions and electrons". Now that I know that I feel physically qualified.

My findings exactly. How does this help me in my reloading activities? Is this approaching sophistication for sophistications sake??? roger

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by bartsche:
Just for my edification, what definition are you giving to the term PLASMA? roger

bartsche,

You prompted me to look it up for my own edifaction. Aside from the "liquids" definitions, Webster's def (5) is "a highly ionized gas containing nearly equal numbers of positive ions and electrons". Now that I know that I feel physically qualified.

My findings exactly. How does this help me in my reloading activities? Is this approaching sophistication for sophistications sake??? roger

I used to be into mental masturbation, but I gave it up because I was starting to lose my eyesight and red hairs were growing from warts in the palm of my hand.

There's a little bit of ionization in any flame, but calling it a "plasma" is a stretch. The temperatures aren't going much over 5000 degrees F in any smokeless small arms load.