Investigation of Residue and Coating Stoichiometry on 120-mm Combustible Cartridge Cases
Abstract : An investigation was conducted to determine the cause of coating residue found in the test gun chambers during qualification firing of 120-mm combustible cartridge case (CCC) ammunition for the MlAl/A2 main battle tank. The CCC is coated with a clear epoxy- polyamide topcoat and a highly pigmented aluminum epoxy basecoat. A laboratory analysis was performed on actual residues; parts of the CCC retain samples of actual coatings and laboratory control samples. Since there are six different resins used in this two-component coating system, production errors and deviations from correct mixing prior to application could have caused the residue. Any variation from the specified stoichiometry could also result in films with lower cross-link densities and lower glass transition temperatures (Tg). Rounds fired at 120 C have more residues than identical rounds fired at ambient temperature; additional weeks of cure lower the amounts of residue. A differential screening calorimeter (DSC) analysis of the various samples revealed that a suspect lot of ammunition with higher levels of residue had lower Tg values. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) was effective in monitoring the degree of cure of the epoxy coating system. Analyzing the residue from actual firings showed similar features. Koenig hardness values showed variations caused by dry film thickness, but also showed insignificant changes caused by transformations in the stoichiometry of the clear topcoat from 52.5 to 45 phr (pounds per hundred of resin).
A dynamic DSC study of the curing process of epoxy resin
In order to expand the industrial usefulness of an isothermal time-temperature-transformation (TTT) cure diagram, a method to make it applicable to a solid-state sample involving only resins and a catalyst was studied by using dynamic DSC (DDSC) and cone plate dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). To estimate how much curing occurred for an industrially used epoxy resin molding compound manufactured in a production process was also studied, together with its position in the TTT cure diagram. The TTT cure diagram proved to be useful for determining the differences between compounds without their dissolution in a solvent, and for estimating their heat history during the production process.
Pharmacokinetics of Mivacurium Isomers and Their Metabolites in Healthy Volunteers after Intravenous Bolus Administration
Background Previous studies report the pharmacokinetics of mivacurium isomers after an infusion using venous blood sampling. Although the extent of the mivacurium arterial‐venous gradient is not known, the sampling site is likely to influence mivacurium pharmacokinetic parameters because the drug is rapidly metabolized as it traverses the circulation. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the pharmacokinetics of mivacurium isomers in healthy persons after intravenous bolus administration using intensive arterial blood sampling, and (2) to characterize the formation and elimination of mivacurium metabolites in human plasma. Methods Eight persons classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 or 2 who were scheduled to undergo elective surgery under balanced anesthesia received 0.15 mg/kg mivacurium chloride as an intravenous bolus. Arterial blood samples were collected every 10 s during the first 2 min and at frequent intervals for 4 h thereafter. Plasma concentrations of mivacurium isomers and their metabolites were determined by two stereoselective high‐performance liquid chromatographic methods coupled with fluorometric detection and noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters. Results Mean elimination half‐lives of the trans‐trans, cis‐trans, and cis‐cis isomers were 2.4, 2, and 28.5 min, respectively, with corresponding mean plasma clearances of 29.2, 45.7, and 6.7 ml [center dot] min‐1 [center dot] kg‐1. The volumes of distribution at steady state of the trans‐trans, cis‐trans, and cis‐cis isomers were 0.047, 0.054, and 0.189 l/kg, respectively. Plasma concentrations of monoester and alcohol metabolites peaked 25 s (median) after mivacurium injection, with half‐lives in the range of 90 min, except for the cis alcohol metabolite, which was only negligibly and transiently formed. Conclusions Substantial hydrolysis of mivacurium isomers by cholinesterases was confirmed by the rapid appearance of mivacurium metabolites in plasma. The intensive arterial sampling proved to be critical for the trans‐trans and cis‐trans isomers because the area under the curve between 0 and 2 min accounted for 75% and 86% of the total, respectively.