A primitive form of explosive
(n.) The original formula for gunpowder. It is now called "black powder" to distinguish it from smokeless powder. It is a simple mechanical mixture consisting of 75% potassium nitrate (KNO3; AKA saltpeter), 15% sulfur (S), and 10% charcoal. It is much less powerful than smokeless powders, produces more fouling, and produces a large amount of smoke when ignited. It is considered obsolete for use in military firearms, but is still used widely in sporting guns and in blasting. It is designated as a Class A "low explosive." In contrast, smokeless powder is not an explosive, but a "flammable substance." Black powder can be ignited by a spark, static electricity, or concussion.
Traditionally, a mixture of charcoal, sulphur and saltpetre used as a propellant. Still used by enthusiasts today both in muzzle loading and cartridge firearms. Most notable characteristic is large amounts of smoke when fired.
The earliest form of propellant, characterized by the huge cloud of white smoke produced. It is reputed to have been made by the Chinese or Hindus. First used for guns in the 13th Century. It is a mechanical mixture of potassium or sodium nitrate, charcoal and sulphur. High in saltpetre, hence extremely corrosive to barrels if residue is not immediately cleaned out. Replaced around the turn of the century by the cleaner and faster-burning “smokeless” propellants. It is still used by antique firearm (or replica ) enthusiasts. A low-pressure propellant: the firearms were not as strongly built as modern ones, hence should not be used with nitro powder/ammo.
Black powder is the mainstay of pyrotechnics. At a basic level it is a mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal and sulphur. However, simply mixing these ingredients together will not produce proper black powder. It merely produces a much milder version, which itself is used extensively in pyrotechnics, and is commonly called meal powder. True black powder takes advantage of the extreme solubility of potassium nitrate by mixing the very fine milled ingredients into a dough with water, then using strong compression to force the water out of the mixture, so that tiny crystals of potassium nitrate form in and around the particles of the other ingredients. This produces a product that is far fiercer than the simple meal powder. The discovery or development of black powder is generally attributed to the Chinese, probably around 1000 AD. See also: [ history
Material found in most fireworks. This material can be used a s a propellant charge, to produce loud sound, as a constituent of other compositions or in the ignition fuse or timing system of fireworks. Also known as Gun Powder.
A mixture of saltpeter (potassium nitrate), sulfur, and charcoal, used in explosives and as an early propellant for rockets.
The oldest ballistic propellant for muzzle loaders and early cartridge arms composed of a mechanical mixture of potassium nitrate (saltpeter), charcoal and sulfur.
The first type of gunpowder consisting of a mixture of charcoal, sulfur and potassium nitrate. It is characteristically graded by grain size such as Fg (coarse) or FFFFG (fine). It generates low pressures in gun chambers.
Black powder is a type of gunpowder invented in the 9th century and was practically the only known propellant until the middle of the 19th century when smokeless powder was invented. It is purchased separately, and is commonly used in muzzle-loading firearms. It is not used in modern encased ammunition.
A finely ground mixture of three basic ingredients: saltpeter (potassium nitrate), charcoal (carbon), and sulfur.
A composition, comprising Potassium Nitrate, Sulfur and Charcoal in the ration 75:15:10 widely used in fireworks.
Also known as gun powder, black powder is a mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur. It is the principal ingredient in most fireworks because it is not sensitive to shock and its burning properties are predictable and slow. Generally used as a propellant to shoot flaming balls, and in the manufacture of stars for aerial effects.
Gunpowder used to operate muzzle loading guns.
An explosive compound believed to have been invented in China over one thousand years ago during the 9th century. Black powder was practically the only known explosive/propellant until the 19th century. Black powder is used in rocketry as a propellant in small rocket motors (A-E motors, typically), and as the explosive compound of choice for most ejection charges in larger rockets.
Black powder was the original gunpowder and practically the only known propellant and explosive until the middle of the 19th century. It has largely been superseded by more efficient explosives such as smokeless powders and TNT. It is still manufactured today but primarily for use in fireworks, model rocket engines, and reproductions of muzzleloading weapons.