PROGRESS REPORT FOR JULY - NOVEMBER 1955 ON PLASTIC HOT DIP PACKAGING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03642A001600020137-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 7, 2012
• Sequence Number: 137
• Publication Date: December 19, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642A001600020137-1
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PROGRESS REPORT
FOR
NOVEMBER 1.955
PLASTIC HOT DIP PACKAGING
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Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642A001600020137-1
 i Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642A001600020137-1
TIDENTIAL
Twenty of the following units were dipped this month:
R. R. Torpedo
Pull Type Fuze Lighter
Pocket Incendiary
A. C. Delay
Incendiary Head Adapter
2.3611 and 3.5" Rocket Adapters
Nk I and Mk II Pencils
These units have been tested forty-eight (48) hours after dipping and also
after being subject to surveillance conditions. All units have functioned
properly. Five units of each are now in igloo storage and five units are
buried in wet loam.
The Fuzee Matches and Thermit Wells have been packaged, however, a sufficient
quantity will not be available for all tests. Fuzee Matches have been tested
forty-eight (48) hours after dipping and have operated satisfactorily. Five
cans of this item are now in burial.
Five Thermit Wells have been buried and two have been fired forty-eight (48)
hours after dipping. The forty-eight (48) hour test was satisfactory.
Package C-3, C-4, Primacord and Black Powder Fuse.
and Fuzee Matches. Continue Testing.
Financial Statement
Finish Thermit Wells
Total Amount of Contract
$12,000.00
Obligations for November, 1955
1,909.81
Total Obligations to November 30, 1955
6,359.17
Balance of Contract
Expiration Date - March 27, 1956
5,640.83
Future Work
CON IDENNT1 L'
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642AO01600020137-1
 Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642A001600020137-1
PROMESS REPORT
FOR
OCTOBER 1955
PLASTIC HOT DIP PACKAGING
November 28, 1955
CONFIDENT!
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Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642A001600020137-1
 Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642A001600020137-1
C s T~- N .1AL'
The main effort on this project for the past month has been directed
toward the long term dipping program. This approach has a twofold
purpose: (1) to establish a safety criterion for dipping active units
in hot plastic, (2) to investigate packaging problems. All units,
with the exception of the Fuzee Matches, have been immersed in the
hot dip for a one-hour period. Fuzee Matches are unavailable at this
time.
None of the units detonated while immersed in the hot plastic at 325?F
or during the cooling period. However, after the long term dip, the
AC Delay unit is rendered useless. More items may be added to this
list pending the outcome of future experiments.
New packaging has been designed for C-3, C-4, Primacord and Black
Powder Time Fuse. Three units have not been tested, as yet, to deter-
mine the effect of the packaging and long term dipping. To success-
fully dip the cardboard packaged units, scrim bags have been made
from plastic impregnated cloth manufactured by Plastic Film Corpora-
tion, Plainfield, Connecticut. The units are placed in the bags and
the bags are then evacuated. The plastic covered cloth serves to
reduce the amount of expanding air within the package and prevent
the hot plastic from entering the container.
Those units which have been tested for both short and long term dips
are now in the process of being prepared for the dip process to start
Phase 4 of the program.
Future Work
Complete the short time dipping on the Rocket Adapter, C-3, C-4,
Black Powder and Primacord. Prepare sealed packages for Phase 4.
Financial Statement
Total Amount of Contract %12,000.00
Obligations for October, 1955 1, 227e79
Total Obligations to October 31, 1955 4,449.36
Balance of Contract 07,550.64
Expiration Date - March 27, 1956
-2- , ~-J
CONFIDENTIAL
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642A001600020137-1
 Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642A001600020137-1
I
PROGRESS REPORT
FOR
SEPTEMBER 1955
October 25, 1955
NJ I E nn L
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642A001600020137-1
 Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642AO01600020137-1
The efforts to find a suitable primary coating which will be capable
of withstanding the heat of the hot-dip plastic at the same time pre-
venting the escape of air from the package and thereby preventing the
formation of bubbles and the consequent perforation of the plastic
coat are being continued. The only units plagued with this diffi-
culty are those contained in cardboard boxes and those in metallic
cans having loose fitting covers and openings at the joints. No
such difficulty exists with the hermetically sealed cans and these
can be hot-dipped as shipped. Serveillance tests on units so con-
tained can begin as soon as the equipment is readied.
Latex is presently being considered for the primary coating. A
program is presently underway to determine the proper combination
of latex, coagulant and curing to obtain a tough elastic coating.
Further tests to determine the heat sensitivity of the various
explosive materials to be used were conducted.
Financial Statement
Total Amount of Contract
%12,000.00
Obligations for September, 1955
1,295.66
Total Obligations to September 30, 1955
3,221.57
Balance of Contract
$8,778.43
Expiration Date - March 27, 1956
-2- CONFIDENN(T !J L
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642AO01600020137-1
 Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642A001600020137-1
NF E NTIAL
PROGRESS REPORT
FOR
AUGUST 1955
MASTIC HOT DIP PACKAGING
September .23, 1955
CO`;'FI N A
E
C
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642A001600020137-1
 Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642AO01600020137-1
The tests to determine the internal transient temperatures for most
of the smaller packages have been completed, and at present a series
of tests-to determine the temperatures required for spontaneous
initiation are being conducted. During these tests the time required
for initiation, the explosive temperature and the chamber temperature
are being recorded; consequently, safe operating limits for the various
explosives and detonators will be established.
Various types of packages have been devised for those units not con-
tained in the hermetically sealed cans, and further tests will be
conducted as soon as the requested information on packaging materials
is forwarded to us by the supplier.
Financial Statement
Total Amount of Contract
012,000.00
Expenditures for August, 1955
$1,269.25
Total Expenditures to August.31, 1955
$1,925.91
Balance of Contract
%10,074.09
Expiration Date - March 27, 1956
CO MF DENTIA[
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642AO01600020137-1
 Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642AO01600020137-1
CONFIDENTIAL / 9ss
PROGRESS REPORT
FOR
JULY 1955
PLASTIC HOT DIP PACKAGING
August 20, 1955
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D IIA
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642AO01600020137-1
 Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642AO01600020137-1
J ? t
The first part of the Hot Dip Packaging Program, the part in which
we are presently engaged, is being devoted primarily to the deter-
mination of the transient temperatures obtained within the various
units when they are subjected to the high temperatures of the
plastic dip. These temperatures are being measured by thermocouples
located at strategic positions within the units. The maximum test
period is being arbitrarily limited to one hour.
The following units have been instrumented and tested:
AC Delay
Mark II Pencils
Pocket Incendiary Units
P-Unit
RR Torpedoes
Not all the data has been analyzed, but some of the results can be
reported.
The AC Delay is rendered useless after approximately 12 minutes of
immersion, because the heat caused the cellulose nitrate firing pin
retaining disc to soften and deteriorate allowing the firing pin to
be released. The temperatures attained within the packaged pocket
incendiary units are above both the softening temperature of the
cellulose nitrate units and the flash point of the gasoline, and
consequently the unit would present a potential hazard should it be
accidentally dropped into the hot dip. The above test has been
conducted on inert units.
The above tests are to be extended to live units wherever practicable.
However, tests to determine the ignition temperatures of the various
components of the units will be conducted first.
Financial Statement
Total Amount of Contract %12,000.00
Expenditures for July, 1955 0656.66
Total Expenditures to 31 July, 1955 $656.66
Balance of Contract %11.,313.34
Expiration Date - March 27, 1956
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/07: CIA-RDP78-03642AO01600020137-1