Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of propellent charges for small and medium calibre arms.The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of fragmentable propellent charges, which consists in a first stage in coating powder particles with a mixture of dinitropolystyrene and of a compound of the polyvinyl nitrate and/or polyvinyl acetate type and, in a second stage, in compressing at between 100.degree. C. and 140.degree. C. the powder particles thus obtained.The invention also relates to the fragmentable charges obtained by the process and to the coated particulate powders obtained at the end of the first stage of the process.The fragmentable charges according to the invention exhibit a temperature behaviour which is superior to that of traditional fragmentable charges and are suitable for cartridgeless ammunition intended for arms with a high rate of fire.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nitrocellulose single-base propellent powders which exhibit good resistance to aging and to moisture. The powders according to the invention characteristically contain zinc carbonate whose particle size distribution is between 2 and 50 micrometers as an additive. The zinc carbonate is incorporated in the powder during the blending. The powders according to the invention find their preferred applications as propellent powders for ammunition intended for warships or for aircraft or as powders intended for gas generators for pyrotechnic devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new type of fragmentable charge for weapons of small and medium caliber.The process for the manufacture of fragmentable charges of propellant powder containing nitrocellulose, according to the invention, is characterized in that, in a conventional process for the manufacture of propellant powder containing nitrocellulose, with solvent, a glazing operation is carried out, in which a glazing solution containing at least polyvinyl nitrate and a stabilizer is sprayed onto the grains of powder, and in that, after evaporation of the solvent from the said solution, the grains of powder thus obtained are compressed at between about 80.degree. and 120.degree..The invention also relates to the fragmentable charges obtained by means of this process.