Description
This cartridge is intended for use in 90mm guns against armored targets.
The projectile consists of a steel body, a threaded stand-off spike assembly an aluminum chamber, and a fin and boom assembly. A funnel-shaped liner contained in the body shapes the high-explosive charge. The chamber adapts the fin and boom assembly to the body and contains the base-detonating fuze. The projectile is fitted with a plastic obturator band. The nose cap, containing a piezoelectric element, is fitted to the spike assembly. The tracer is threaded to the fin. The cartridge case base is fitted with a threaded loading plug and a percussion primer.
The M431A1 is similar to the M431 except that the cartridge case contains a wax impregnated titanium dioxide (TiO2) liner designed to reduce gun wear. A TiO2 additive liner with high melt wax and a mylar barrier is used on the M431A2.
The projectile is painted black with yellow markings.
Functioning
When the weapon is fired, the primer ignites the propelling charge. The burning propellant generates gases to propel the projectile out of the gun tube and ignites the tracer, which burns for a minimum of 2,500 yards. The projectile is detonated upon impact by fuze functioning. Upon detonation, the cone collapses creating an intensely focused high velocity shock wave and a jet of metal particles that penetrates the target.
Hazardous Components
Filler - Composition B (1.2 lb, 0.55 kg)
Cartridge case - M114A1
Propelling charge - M30 (8.25 lb, 3.75 kg)
Primer - M79
Tracer - M13
Physical Data
Length, overall - 36 in, 914.4 mm
See Also
Nothing else to see.
Source(s)
TM 9-1300-203, Artillery Ammunition (1967)
