Thread: corrosive primers and suppressors

Short chemistry lesson, corrosive primers contain a mix of potassium chlorate, mercury fulminate, and sulphur, along with inerts like glass powder and talc. The biggest issue is the chlorate, on firing it turns to potassium chloride (think salt) this and water is what rusts barrels, not really a problem for aluminum but it is for steel and low grades of stainless. Mercury fulmunate decomposes to mercury, and while this is no worry for steel or stainless it will eat through the protective oxide layer and amalgamate with the aluminum and corrode it quick smart. Break a mercury thermoneter in an ali boat and watch it! Now there is very little of either of these in a corrosive primer think tenths of a grain so the effects wouldnt be seen quickly and while salt can be washed away mercury cant