11/11/2010 HowStuffWorks "How Grenades Work"

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How Grenades Work Future Weapons:

Simon Rifle Grenade
by Tom Harris

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Inside this Article

1. Introduction to How 4. Im pact Grenades
Grenades Work 5. Lots More Inform ation
2. Grenade Basics 6. See all Explosives articles
3. Tim e-Delay Grenade More Science Videos »

Time-Delay Grenade
The most common type of grenade on the battlefield is the time-delay fragmentation anti-personnel
hand grenade. The primary function of this grenade is to kill or maim nearby enemy troops. To ensure
maximum damage, the grenade is designed to launch dozens of small metal fragments in every direction
when it explodes.
These sorts of grenades, which played a major role in World War I, World War II, Vietnam and many other
20th century conflicts, are designed to be durable, easy to use and easy to manufacture. The conventional
design uses a simple chemical delay mechanism. The diagram below shows a typical configuration of Ads by Google
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The outer shell of the grenade, made of serrated cast iron, holds a chemical fuze mechanism, which
is surrounded by a reservoir of explosive material. The grenade has a filling hole for pouring in the
explosive material.

The firing mechanism is triggered by a spring-loaded striker inside the

grenade. Normally, the striker is held in place by the striker lever on
top of the grenade, which is held in place by the safety pin. The
soldier grips the grenade so the striker lever is pushed up against the
body, pulls out the pin and then tosses the grenade. Here's what
happens inside once the grenade is released:

With the pin removed, there is nothing holding the lever in

position, which means there is nothing holding the spring-
loaded striker up. The spring throws the striker down against
the percussion cap. The impact ignites the cap, creating a
small spark.

The spark ignites a slow-burning material in the fuze. In about

four seconds, the delay material burns all the way through.

The end of the delay element is connected to the detonator, Related Content
a capsule filled with more combustible material. The burning
material at the end of the delay ignites the material in the Prices: Military Reference Books
detonator, setting off an explosion inside the grenade.
Julian Lewis - Changing
The explosion ignites the explosive material around the sides Direction: British Military
of the grenade, creating a much larger explosion that blows Planning for Post-War
the grenade apart. Strategic Defence, 1942-
1947
Pieces of metal from the outer casing fly outward at great Release Date: December
01, 2002
speed, imbedding in anybody and anything within range. This
sort of grenade may contain additional serrated wire or metal $190.00 - $190.00
pellets for increased fragmentation damage.
Photo courtesy Department of Defense
Norman Polmar and
The proper way to throw a
Robert S. Norris - U.S.
hand grenade: Depress the
Nuclear Arsenal: A History
striker lever, pull the pin, hurl of Weapons and Delivery
the grenade. Systems Since 1945
Release Date: July 20,
2009
$32.00 - $32.00

Time-delay grenades are very effective, but they do have some significant disadvantages. One problem is
their unpredictability: In some chemical fuzes, the delay time may vary from two to six seconds. But the
biggest problem with time-delay grenades is that they give the enemy an opportunity to counterattack. If
a soldier doesn't time a grenade toss just right, the enemy may pick it up and throw it back before it
explodes.

For this reason, soldiers must use impact grenades in certain situations. An impact grenade explodes
wherever it lands, so there is no chance for the enemy to throw it back. In the next section, we'll see how
this sort of grenade works.

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11/11/2010 HowStuffWorks "How Grenades Work"
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Inside this Article

1. Introduction to How Grenades Work 4. Im pact Grenades
2. Grenade Basics 5. Lots More Inform ation
3. Tim e-Delay Grenade 6. See all Explosives articles

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