Smokeless powder

Smokeless powder is the name given to a number of gunpowder-like propellants used in firearms which produce negligible smoke when fired, unlike the older black powder which it replaced. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2592x1944, 2431 KB) Yhteenveto (c) Timo Halén Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Gunpowder Smokeless powder Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create or digitize it. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2592x1944, 2431 KB) Yhteenveto (c) Timo Halén Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Gunpowder Smokeless powder Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create or digitize it. ... Smokeless powder Gunpowder, whether black powder or smokeless powder, is a substance that burns very rapidly, releasing gases that act as a propellant in firearms. ... A propellant is a material that is used to move an object by applying a motive force. ... An assortment of modern handheld firearms using fixed ammunition, including military assault rifles, a sporting shotgun (fourth from bottom), and a tactical shotgun (third from bottom). ... Black powder for sporting can be freely bought in Switzerland. ...

Types of smokeless powder include cordite, ballistite and, historically, Poudre B. They are classified as single-base, double-base or triple-base powders. Cordite is a particular family of smokeless propellants made by combining two high explosives: nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin, i. ... Ballistite is a smokeless propellant explosive made from two high explosives nitrocellulose mixed with nitroglycerin. ... Poudre B (Poudre Blanche in French = white powder) or Vieille powder, was the first smokeless gunpowder. ...

Description

Smokeless powder created by Hudson Maxim, consists of nitrocellulose (single-base powders), frequently combined with up to 50 percent nitroglycerin (double-base powders), and sometimes nitroglycerin and nitroguanidine (triple-base), corned into small spherical balls or extruded into cylinders or flakes using solvents such as ether. Other minor ingredients, such as stabilizers and ballistic modifiers, are also added. Hudson Maxim (February 3, 1853–May 6, 1927), was a U.S. inventor and chemist who invented a variety of explosives, including smokeless gunpowder. ... Nitrocellulose Nitrocellulose Nitrocellulose (also: cellulose nitrate, flash paper) is a highly flammable compound formed by nitrating cellulose through, for example, exposure to nitric acid or another powerful nitrating agent. ... Nitroglycerin, also known as nitroglycerine, trinitroglycerin, and glyceryl trinitrate, is a chemical compound. ... Nitroguanidine (2-Nitroguanidine, picrite, CH4N4O2, H2NC(NH)NHNO2) is a chemical compound. ... Extrusion is a manufacturing process used to create long objects of a fixed cross-sectional profile. ... Diethyl ether, also known as ether and ethoxyethane, is a clear, colorless, and highly flammable liquid with a low boiling point and a characteristic smell. ...

The reason that they are smokeless is that the combustion products are mainly gaseous, compared to around 55% solid products for black powder (potassium carbonate, potassium sulfate etc). Combustion or burning is a complex sequence of chemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat or both heat and light in the form of either a glow or flames. ... A gas is one of the five main phases of matter (after solid and liquid, and followed by plasma and Bose-Einstein Condensate) and, that subsequently appear as a solid material is subjected to increasingly higher temperatures. ... Carbonate of potash redirects here. ... Potassium sulfate (K2SO4) (also known as potash of sulfur) is a non-flammable white crystalline salt which is soluble in water. ...

Smokeless powder burns only on the surfaces of the granules, flakes or cylinders - described as granules for short. Larger granules burn more slowly, and the burn rate is further controlled by flame-deterrent coatings which retard burning slightly. The intent is to regulate the burn rate so that a more or less constant pressure is exerted on the propelled projectile as long as it is in the barrel so as to obtain the highest velocity. Cannon powder has the largest granules, up to thumb-sized cylinders with seven perforations (one central and the other six in a circle halfway to the outside of the cylinder's end faces). The perforations stabilize the burn rate because as the outside burns inward (thus shrinking the burning surface area) the inside is burning outward (thus increasing the burning surface area, but faster, so as to fill up the increasing volume of barrel presented by the departing projectile). Fast-burning pistol powders are made by extruding shapes with more area such as flakes or by flattening the spherical granules. Drying is usually performed under a vacuum. The solvents are condensed and recycled. The granules are also coated with graphite to prevent static electricity sparks from causing undesired ignitions. A small cannon on a carriage, Bucharest. ... A Browning 9 millimeter Hi-Power Ordnance pistol of the French Navy, 19th century, using a Percussion cap mechanism Derringers were small and easily hidden. ... Graphite (named by Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1789 from the Greek γραφειν: to draw/write, for its use in pencils) is one of the allotropes of carbon. ...

History

Military commanders had been complaining since the Napoleonic Wars about the problems of giving orders on a battlefield that was covered in thick smoke from the gunpowder used by the guns. A major step forward was introduced when guncotton, a nitrocellulose-based propellant, was first introduced by Christian Friedrich Schönbein in 1846. He also promoted its use as a blasting explosive. Combatants Allies: • Great Britain (until 1801)/United Kingdom(from 1801) • Prussia • Austria • Sweden • Russia • Portugal • Spain • and others • France • Denmark-Norway • Poland Casualties Full list The Napoleonic Wars comprised a series of global conflicts fought during Napoleon Bonapartes rule over France (1799 - 1815). ... Smokeless powder Gunpowder, whether black powder or smokeless powder, is a substance that burns very rapidly, releasing gases that act as a propellant in firearms. ... Nitrocellulose (Cellulose nitrate, guncotton) is a highly flammable compound formed by nitrating cellulose (e. ... Nitrocellulose Nitrocellulose Nitrocellulose (also: cellulose nitrate, flash paper) is a highly flammable compound formed by nitrating cellulose through, for example, exposure to nitric acid or another powerful nitrating agent. ... Christian Friedrich Schönbein (October 18, 1799 – August 29, 1868) was a German-Swiss chemist who is most well-known for his discovery of guncotton. ... 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

Guncotton was more powerful than gunpowder, but at the same time was somewhat more unstable. This made it unsuitable as a propellant for small firearms: not only was it dangerous under field conditions, but guns that could fire thousands of rounds using gunpowder would be "used up" after only a few hundred with the more powerful guncotton. It did find wide use with artillery however. However, within a short time there were a number of massive explosions and fatalities in guncotton factories due to lack of appreciation of its sensitivity and the means of stabilization. Guncotton then went out of use for some twenty years or more until it could be tamed; it was not until the 1880s that it became a viable propellant. // Development and commercial production of electric lighting Development and commercial production of gasoline-powered automobile by Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler and Maybach First commercial production and sales of phonographs and phonograph recordings. ...

In 1886 Paul Vieille invented a smokeless gunpowder called Poudre B, made from gelatinized guncotton mixed with ether and alcohol. It was passed through rollers to form thin sheets, which were cut into flakes of the desired size. The resulting propellant, today known as pyrocellulose, contains somewhat less nitrogen than guncotton and is less volatile. A particularly nice feature of the propellant is that it would not burn unless it was compressed, making it very safe to handle under normal conditions. 1886 (MDCCCLXXXVI) is a common year starting on Friday (click on link to calendar) // Events January 18 - Modern field hockey is born with the formation of The Hockey Association in England. ... Paul Marie Eugène Vieille (2 September 1854-14 January 1934) was a French chemist and the inventor of smokeless gunpowder in 1886. ... Poudre B (Poudre Blanche in French = white powder) or Vieille powder, was the first smokeless gunpowder. ... Diethyl ether, also known as ether and ethoxyethane, is a clear, colorless, and highly flammable liquid with a low boiling point and a characteristic smell. ... Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol, is a flammable, colorless, mildly toxic chemical compound with a distinctive perfume-like odor, and is the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. ... A propellant is a material that is used to move an object by applying a motive force. ... General Name, Symbol, Number nitrogen, N, 7 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 15, 2, p Appearance colorless Atomic mass 14. ...

Vieille's powder revolutionized the effectiveness of small guns, for the following reasons:

• It gave off almost no smoke. After a few shots, a soldier with black powder ammunition would have his view obscured by a huge pall of smoke unless there was a strong wind.
• Conversely, a sniper or other hidden shooter would not be given away by a cloud of smoke over the firing position.
• It was three times more powerful than black powder. This gave two advantages:
  • The higher muzzle velocity meant a flatter trajectory and therefore more accurate long range fire, out to perhaps 1000 metres in the first smokeless powder rifles.
  • Less powder was needed to propel a bullet, so the cartridge could be made smaller and lighter. This allowed troops to carry more ammunition for the same weight.
• It would burn even when wet. Black powder ammunition had to be kept dry and was almost always stored and transported in watertight cartridges.

Vielle's powder was used in the Lebel rifle that was immediately introduced by the French Army to exploit its huge benefits over black powder. Other European countries swiftly followed and started using their own versions of Poudre B, the first being Germany and Austria which introduced new weapons in 1888. Looking through a USMC sniper rifle’s scope at a practice range at Camp Hansen The same USMC sniper team, with a M40 Sniper Rifle (2004) French Special Forces Sniping Team. ... A guns muzzle velocity is the speed at which the projectile leaves the muzzle of the gun. ... A trajectory is an imagined trace of positions followed by an object moving through space. ... It has been suggested that Firearm brass and Casing (ammunition) be merged into this article or section. ... The French Lebel Model 1886 rifle, or officially Fusil dInfantrie Modele 1886 was the first rifle designed to use smokeless gunpowder. ... The military of France has a long history of serving its country. ... 1888 (MDCCCLXXXVIII) is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. ...

Meanwhile, in 1887 Alfred Nobel developed a smokeless gunpowder called ballistite. A modified form of this was devised by Sir Frederick Abel and James Dewar which eventually became known as cordite, leading to a lengthy court battle between Nobel and the other two inventors over patent infringement. Both explosives were more stable and thus safer to handle than Poudre B, and also more powerful. Today propellants based on nitrocellulose alone are known as single-base, whereas cordite-like mixtures are known as double-base. A triple-base flashless cordite was also developed, primarily for large naval guns, but also used in battle tank ammunition. 1887 (MDCCCLXXXVII) is a common year starting on Saturday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. ... Alfred Bernhard Nobel (October 21, 1833, Stockholm, Sweden—December 10, 1896, Sanremo, Italy) was a Swedish chemist, engineer, innovator, armaments manufacturer and the inventor of dynamite. ... Ballistite is a smokeless propellant explosive made from two high explosives nitrocellulose mixed with nitroglycerin. ... Sir Frederick Augustus Abel, Bart. ... Sir James Dewar (September 20, 1842 – March 27, 1923) was a Scottish chemist and physicist. ... Cordite is a particular family of smokeless propellants made by combining two high explosives: nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin, i. ... A patent is a set of exclusive rights granted by a state to a person for a fixed period of time in exchange for the regulated, public disclosure of certain details of a device, method, process or composition of matter (substance) (known as an invention) which is new, inventive, and... USS Iowa (BB-61) fires a full broadside of nine 16/50 and six 5/38 guns during a target exercise near Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, 1 July 1984. ...

Smokeless powder allowed the development of modern semi- and fully automatic firearms. Burned blackpowder leaves a thick, heavy fouling which is both hygroscopic and corrosive. Smokeless powder fouling exhibits none of these properties. This makes an autoloading firearm with many moving parts feasible (which would jam or seize under heavy blackpowder fouling). A hygroscopic substance is a substance that absorbs water readily from its surroundings. ... Corrosion is the destructive reaction of a metal with another material, e. ...

Single and double-base smokeless powders now make up the vast majority of propellants used in firearms. They are so common that most modern references to "gunpowder" refer to a smokeless powder, particularly when referring to small arms ammunition. Small arms captured in Fallujah, Iraq by the US Marine Corps in 2004 The term small arms generally describes any number of smaller infantry weapons, such as firearms that an individual soldier can carry. ...

Instability and stabilization

Nitrocellulose deteriorates with time, yielding acidic byproducts. Those byproducts catalyze the further deterioration, increasing its rate. The released heat, in case of bulk storage of the powder, or too large blocks of solid propellant, can cause self-ignition of the material. Single-base nitrocellulose propellants are most susceptible to degradation, double-base and triple-base propellants tend to deteriorate slower. To neutralize the decomposition products, which could otherwise cause corrosion of metals of the cartridges and gun barrels, calcium carbonate is added to some formulations. Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound, with chemical formula CaCO3. ...

To prevent buildup of the deterioration products, stabilizers are added. 2-nitrodiphenylamine is one of the most common stabilizers used, with others being eg. 4-nitrodiphenylamine, N-nitrosodiphenylamine, N-methyl-p-nitroaniline, and diphenylamine. The stabilizers are added in the amount of 0.5-2% of the total amount of the formulation; higher amounts tend to degrade its ballistic properties. The amount of the stabilizer is depleted with time. Propellants in storage should be periodically tested on the remaining amount of stabilizer, as its depletion may lead to autoignition of the propellant. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... 2-nitrodiphenylamine, also called NDPA, 2-NDPA, 2NO2DPA, Sudan Yellow 1339, C.I. 10335, CI 10335, phenyl 2-nitrophenylamine, 2-nitro-N-phenylaniline, or N-phenyl-o-nitroaniline, is an organic chemical, a nitrated aromatic amine, a derivate of diphenylamine. ... Diphenyl amine has been used for scald control on apples in the US, it is a fungicide. ...

Smokeless propellant components

The propellant formulations may contain various energetic and auxiliary components:

• Propellants:
  • Nitrocellulose, an energetic component of most smokeless propellants
  • Nitroglycerin, an energetic component of double-base and triple-base formulations
  • Nitroguanidine, a component of triple-base formulations
• Plasticizers, to make the grains less brittle
  • Dibutyl phthalate
  • Polyester adipate
• Binders, to hold the grain shape
  • Rosin
  • Ethyl acetate
• Stabilizers, to prevent or slow down self-decomposition
  • Diphenylamine
  • 2-nitrodiphenylamine
  • 4-nitrodiphenylamine
  • N-nitrosodiphenylamine
  • N-methyl-p-nitroaniline
• Decoppering additives, to hinder the buildup of copper residues from the gun barrel rifling
  • Tin metal and compounds, eg. tin dioxide
  • Bismuth metal and compounds, eg. bismuth trioxide, bismuth subcarbonate, bismuth nitrate, bismuth antimonide; the bismuth compounds are favored as copper dissolves in molten bismuth, forming brittle and easily removable alloy
  • Lead foil and lead compounds, phased out due to toxicity
• Flash reducers, to reduce the brightness of the muzzle flash
  • Potassium nitrate
  • Potassium sulfate (both have a disadvantage - production of smoke)
• Wear reduction additives, to lower the wear of the gun barrel liners [1]
  • Wax
  • Talc
  • Titanium dioxide
  • Polyurethane jackets over the powder bags, in large guns
• Other additives
  • Graphite, a lubricant to cover the grains and prevent them from sticking together, and to dissipate static electricity
  • Calcium carbonate, to neutralize acidic decomposition products

The properties of the propellant are greatly influenced by the size and shape of its grains. The surface of the grains influences the speed of burning, and the shape influences the surface and its change during burning. By selection of the grain shape it is possible to influence the pressure vs time curve as the propellant burns. Nitrocellulose Nitrocellulose Nitrocellulose (also: cellulose nitrate, flash paper) is a highly flammable compound formed by nitrating cellulose through, for example, exposure to nitric acid or another powerful nitrating agent. ... Nitroglycerin, also known as nitroglycerine, trinitroglycerin, and glyceryl trinitrate, is a chemical compound. ... Nitroguanidine (2-Nitroguanidine, picrite, CH4N4O2, H2NC(NH)NHNO2) is a chemical compound. ... Plasticizers are additives that soften the materials (usually a plastic or a concrete mix) they are added to. ... Dibutyl phthalate is a chemical used in some nail polishes. ... A binder is a material used to bind together two or more other materials in mixtures. ... A 20 g cake of amber violin bow rosin. ... Ethyl acetate is the organic compound with the formula CH3CH2OC(O)CH3. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Diphenyl amine has been used for scald control on apples in the US, it is a fungicide. ... 2-nitrodiphenylamine, also called NDPA, 2-NDPA, 2NO2DPA, Sudan Yellow 1339, C.I. 10335, CI 10335, phenyl 2-nitrophenylamine, 2-nitro-N-phenylaniline, or N-phenyl-o-nitroaniline, is an organic chemical, a nitrated aromatic amine, a derivate of diphenylamine. ... Decoppering is the act of removing copper and it is most commonly used in the context of the removal of copper residues from the rifling of gun barrels. ... General Name, Symbol, Number tin, Sn, 50 Chemical series poor metals Group, Period, Block 14, 5, p Appearance silvery lustrous gray Atomic mass 118. ... Tin dioxide, SnO2, also stannic oxide, is an oxide of tin, with tin in oxidation state +4. ... General Name, Symbol, Number bismuth, Bi, 83 Chemical series poor metals Group, Period, Block 15, 6, p Appearance lustrous reddish white Atomic mass 208. ... Flash point non-flammable Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... General Name, Symbol, Number lead, Pb, 82 Chemical series poor metals Group, Period, Block 14, 6, p Appearance bluish white Atomic mass 207. ... Muzzle flash is a term used to describe the visible light emited by superheated gases and flame produced by the burning gunpowder when a firearm is discharged. ... R-phrases   S-phrases   Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... Potassium sulfate (K2SO4) (also known as potash of sulfur) is a non-flammable white crystalline salt which is soluble in water. ... Wax has traditionally referred to a substance that is secreted by bees (beeswax) and used by them in constructing their honeycombs. ... Talc block Talcum Powder Talc is a mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate with the chemical formula H2Mg3(SiO3)4 or Mg3Si4O10(OH)2. ... Titanium dioxide, also known as titanium(IV) oxide or titania, is the naturally occurring oxide of titanium, chemical formula TiO2. ... A polyurethane is any polymer consisting of a chain of organic units joined by urethane links. ... Graphite (named by Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1789 from the Greek γραφειν: to draw/write, for its use in pencils) is one of the allotropes of carbon. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Lubrication. ... Static electricity is a class of phenomena involving the net charge present on an object; typically referring to charged object with voltages of sufficient magnitude to produce visible attraction, repulsion, and sparks. ... Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound, with chemical formula CaCO3. ...

Faster-burning propellants generate higher temperatures and higher pressures, however they also increase the wear of the gun barrels.

A Primex powder contains 0-40% nitroglycerin, 0-10% dibutyl phthalate, 0-10% polyester adipate, 0-5% rosin, 0-5% ethyl acetate, 0.3-1.5% diphenylamine, 0-1.5% N-nitrosodiphenylamine, 0-1.5% 2-nitrodiphenylamine, 0-1.5% potassium nitrate, 0-1.5% potassium sulfate, 0-1.5% tin dioxide, 0.02-1% graphite, 0-1% calcium carbonate, and nitrocellulose as the remainder to 100%. [2]

External link

• U.S. Patent 430212 - Manufacture of explosive -- H. S. Maxim