9/27/2023 0 Comments Saltpeter military![]() ![]() In quarrying, high explosives are generally preferred for shattering rock. Since it contains its own oxidizer and additionally burns faster under pressure, its combustion is capable of bursting containers such as a shell, grenade, or improvised "pipe bomb" or "pressure cooker" casings to form shrapnel. In that case, the propellant (and most importantly, gases produced by its burning) must be confined. This is an advantage in a propellant device, where one does not desire a shock that would shatter the gun and potentially harm the operator however, it is a drawback when an explosion is desired. Gunpowder is a low explosive: it does not detonate, but rather deflagrates (burns quickly). Its use in weapons has declined due to smokeless powder replacing it, and it is no longer used for industrial purposes due to its relative inefficiency compared to newer alternatives such as dynamite and ammonium nitrate/fuel oil. Originally developed by the Taoists for medicinal purposes, it was first used for warfare around AD 904. Gunpowder is one of the Four Great Inventions of China. ![]() Nonetheless, it was widely used to fill fused artillery shells (and used in mining and civil engineering projects) until the second half of the 19th century, when the first high explosives were put into use. It thus makes a good propellant but is less suitable for shattering rock or fortifications with its low-yield explosive power. Ignition of gunpowder packed behind a projectile generates enough pressure to force the shot from the muzzle at high speed, but usually not enough force to rupture the gun barrel. Low explosives deflagrate (i.e., burn at subsonic speeds), whereas high explosives detonate, producing a supersonic shockwave. Gunpowder is classified as a low explosive because of its relatively slow decomposition rate and consequently low brisance. Gunpowder has been widely used as a propellant in firearms, artillery, rocketry, and pyrotechnics, including use as a blasting agent for explosives in quarrying, mining, building pipelines and road building. The sulfur and carbon act as fuels while the saltpeter is an oxidizer. It consists of a mixture of sulfur, carbon (in the form of charcoal) and potassium nitrate (saltpeter). Gunpowder, also commonly known as black powder to distinguish it from modern smokeless powder, is the earliest known chemical explosive. American Civil War re-enactors volley firing with black powder Gunpowder for muzzleloading firearms in granulation size Flash pan starter dispenser For other uses, see Gunpowder (disambiguation).
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