Abstract: A consumable flash tube for encapsulating igniter material in the propellant beds of propelling charges or rocket motors. The flash tube is constructed of a combustible, plastic material such as cellulose nitrate plastic or ethyl cellulose plastic. The combustible material is furnished with a filler of electrical charge dissipating material which renders the flash tube conductive. The conductive flash tube functions as an environmental housing and additionally as a grounded electrical conductor or Faraday shield so as to bleed off any inadvertent electrical charge presented to the flash tube and thus limit the charge transferred to the igniter material. Formation of the flash tube is by continuous extrusion of a mixture of the plastic material and electrical charge dissipating material into the shape of a hollow tube. After curing of the extruded tube, one end of the tube is flared to allow joining of the tube to a primer after the igniter material is positioned in the flash tube.

Abstract: A cartridge case closure plug for closing a cartridge case, enhancing plug reakup in the shortest time span after ignition of the cartridge, and substantially reducing plug mass to reduce the impact loads exerted on the projectile by the plug. The plug is cylindrically shaped and constructed of a polymeric foam which may be covered with an elastomeric coating to lower the permeability of the plug. The plug is provided with a forward face, a rearward face and an outer cylindrical surface. The forward face of the plug is furnished with a centered depression which allows for center blowout and breakup of the plug upon ignition of the propellant contained in the cartridge case. The rearward face of the plug is provided with a tapered cylindrically-shaped cavity which reduces plug mass and enhances plug breakup while reducing the impact loads on the projectile.