Abstract: A method of preparing propellants involves using &bgr;-octogen with a multimodal grain size distribution and an average grain size of less than 50 &mgr;m in a propellant composition containing other explosives, inert binders and active binders.

Abstract: The current invention treats .alpha.-octogene which, with the aid of a new procedure, has been coated with synthetic materials in such a manner that it does not convert into .beta.-octogene at room temperature The coating is done at temperatures between 30.degree. and 60.degree. C. from an aqueous slurry; this causes granulates to form which can be heated to temperatures of 100.degree. C. without a rearrangement to .beta.-octogene to occur; even a grain growth does not take place. The granulates according to the invention are pourable and can be easily dosaged. .beta.-octogene can be coated in the same manner, particularly if it is coated as very fine grain of less than 50 .mu.m according to the invention. Thus, the current invention includes also the particularly fine .beta.-octogene, coated according to the current procedure, which shows the same properties as the required .alpha.-octogene.

Abstract: A device for igniting a propellant charge is provided with a housing defining a cavity wherein a piston is displaceably guided. The cavity is connected via a bore acting as a nozzle to a chamber wherein a case member of a cartridge is arranged for accommodating the propellant charge. A bottom wall of the case member is equipped with a bore aligned with the bore acting as a nozzle. A primer wafer is disposed on the inner surface of the bottom wall, this wafer being thinner in its central zone than in its marginal zone. The central zone of the primer wafer is a region under mechanical thermal stress during compression, the ignition energy being introduced to the primer wafer via this region in the form of hot compressed air from the compression chamber.

Abstract: A magazine for cartridges ignitable by adiabatic compression is especially useful for stud driving or setting tools. The magazine has a plurality of cartridges made of synthetic resin and a magazine belt made of synthetic resin for connecting the plurality of cartridges together. The magazine belt forms bottom walls of the cartridges and in the region of each of the bottom walls is provided with an intentional separation zone. A primer wafer is provided on the magazine belt in the region of the bottom wall near the intentional separation zone. Each primer wafer in an area near the intentional separation zone is thinner than in the remaining zone surrounding the area.

Abstract: A device for igniting a propellant charge is provided with a housing defining a cavity wherein a piston is displaceably guided. The cavity is connected via a bore acting as a nozzle to a chamber wherein a case member of a cartridge is arranged for accommodating the propellant charge. A bottom wall of the case member is equipped with a bore aligned with the bore acting as a nozzle. A primer wafer is disposed on the inner surface of the bottom wall, this wafer being thinner in its central zone than in its marginal zone. The central zone of the primer wafer is a region under mechanical thermal stress during compression, the ignition energy being introduced to the primer wafer via this region in the form of hot compressed air from the compression chamber.