gunpowder

Chemistry

2022

We explain what gunpowder is, how it was invented and the consequences it had. The types of gunpowder, composition and uses.

Gunpowder is the first known explosive in history.

What is gunpowder?

Gunpowder is a mixture of substances with deflagrating properties. Deflagration is a type of rapid combustion (rapid oxidation) that produces flame, which spreads slowly (but faster than in common combustion) by thermal diffusion (a phenomenon that consists of the movement from particles due to the variation of the temperature).

Deflagration is a subsonic explosion, which develops at a speed slower than that of the sound (343.2 m / s). On the other hand, there are supersonic explosions (detonations), which generate an expansive wave, that is, a pressure wave that travels faster than sound and leaves a lag of chemical reactions.

There are different types of gunpowder, but generally by that name we refer to black powder, the first known explosive in the world. history. Today there are other forms endowed with low smoke production and higher performance, since the type of chemical reactions from combustion that characterize them.

Invention of gunpowder

Paradoxically, gunpowder was invented in China, but as an accidental consequence of the Taoists' search for a potion of immortality. Various theories on the burning of saltpeter (mixture of potassium nitrate (KNO3) and sodium nitrate (NaNO3)) and on sulfur in texts Chinese alchemicals of 492 AD. C. proposed them as eventual substances purifying (hence its name: pinyin, “Fire medicine”), although it was its incendiary properties that really made a difference.

In their fight against the Mongols, Chinese troops wielded firearms: rockets, bombs, and primitive flamethrowers, many of which passed into the hands of the victorious Mongols and eventually other peoples in the Middle East and elsewhere. Europe. The first battle in which the western peoples faced a Mongol army carrying firearms was the Battle of Mohi in which the Kingdom of Hungary was defeated by the invading Tatars and Mongols.

Consequences of the discovery of gunpowder

The first cannon in history was used by the Ottoman Mamluks in 1260.

The discovery of gunpowder would forever change the military arts of the human being, giving the world a new balance of can, because the troops armed with gunpowder were much more effective than those provided with melee weapons, and possessed much more damage capacity than arrows, spears and other thrown weapons.

In fact, the use of gunpowder and explosives allowed the appearance of a whole new range of tools of warincluding cannons, demolition squads, bombs, mines, and a gigantic and diverse arsenal of rifles and pistols. For example, the first cannon in history was used by the Ottoman Mamluks at the Battle of Ain Jalut in 1260.

Types of gunpowder

We can identify the following types of gunpowder:

  • Black powder. It is the oldest and the first to be invented. In general, when referring to gunpowder, it refers to black powder. It has a fast, powerful reaction and it produces a lot of smoke. After reacting, it left a lot of residue in the pipes of the firearms, which caused deterioration.
  • Brown gunpowder. Invented in 1880 from the use of red coal and a greater quantity of saltpeter, it achieved a slower combustion and with less corrosive residues. However, it was never used much because white powder came out shortly after.
  • White powder. Also called smokeless gunpowder or pyroxylated gunpowder, it has mostly gaseous components as a result of combustion (a product of nitrocellulose), so it does not leave the same amount of residue as black powder. For that reason, it was replacing it in firearms. When you say smokeless powder, it does not mean that absolutely no smoke is produced during the explosion, but it is much less than when using black powder.
  • Flash gunpowder. Recently invented, it was created to generate the light necessary for Photography primitive (hence its name), since it has aluminum additives that, when combustion occurs, oxidize and generate more light.

Chemical composition of gunpowder

The composition of the gunpowder varies according to the type of gunpowder in question. In addition, the composition of gunpowder often also varies according to the country where it is manufactured, that is, the same type of gunpowder can have different proportions of its components, despite being the same, depending on the country that manufactured it. So, the most popular compositions of different types of gunpowder are:

Black powder: 75% potassium nitrate, 15% carbon and 10% sulfur.

Brown or brown powder: 78% saltpeter, 19% red carbon and 39% sulfur.

White powder (smokeless powder). It is composed of very energetic substances, mainly nitrocellulose or nitrocellulose mixed with nitroglycerin. There is a lot of types:

  • Simple base. Composed of nitrocellulose
  • Double base. Composed of nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin.
  • Triple base. Composed of nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin and nitroguanidine.

Flash gunpowder. One of its most common variants is composed of potassium perchlorate or permanganate, and powdered aluminum.

Uses of gunpowder

With gunpowder you can make ammunition for firearms.

Gunpowder is currently used to:

  • Manufacture ammunition for firearms, artillery, bombs, mines and other instruments of a warlike nature.
  • Manufacture fireworks (fireworks) for celebrations and decorative purposes.
  • Manufacture detonators and other instruments for the controlled demolition of buildings and structures.

Importance of gunpowder

Gunpowder revolutionized the world. It sparked a new era of firearms warfare, forever changing the way we understand firearms. war. In addition, it allowed the birth of the study of explosives, which beyond its immediate weapons purposes, served, for example, to nurture the aeronautical industry.

Manufacture of gunpowder

The combustion of gunpowder is directly dependent on the size of its granulation.

To manufacture gunpowder, the ingredients (saltpeter, coal and sulfur) must be crushed and uniformly mixed, in a procedure that was formerly done by hand, but which could later be mechanized using presses moved by Water, for example. The ingredients must be ground into a more or less fine powder, since its combustion depends directly on the size of its granulation.

The processes, methods of manufacture and handling of gunpowder were changing as more were acquired. knowledge about this mix. For example, initially the mixture was transported from the place where it was manufactured to the place where it was to be used, which was very dangerous due to the risk of explosion by blows or changes of temperature. But later, they began to transport the components separately and they were mixed in the place where the mixture was to be used (gunpowder).

Another issue was the size of the grains obtained in the grinding process. Initially the grains were very fine, which caused them to be very united in the mixture (piled up as happens with flour dust for example). That made there not enough air between the grains, because the burning rate was slow and uneven.

To solve this problem, water was added to the mixture in order to achieve a homogeneous paste that was then dried and cut into grains of different sizes. Then, using a sieve, the grains were separated according to their different sizes. The smallest grains were used for smaller caliber weapons (since the combustion is faster) and the larger ones for larger caliber weapons (such as cannons).

Black powder, for example, was consumed too quickly in European weapons of the 15th and 16th centuries, another reason why it began to be manufactured in uniform but larger grains.

Today's gunpowders are manufactured from nitrocellulose (monobasic) or nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin (bibasic), which requires the nitrogenation of vegetable cellulose and its treatment with solvents until a thin sheet is obtained that is then cut into small pieces that are then dried and prepared for combustion.

Gunpowder risks

Gunpowder, despite its pyrotechnic uses, is a dangerous material. Its combustion, depending on the size of its grains, can occur by a spark, by friction or by percussion, which requires careful handling, especially in large quantities. Gunpowder explosions can cause injuries, deaths and material damage, especially when they occur in an uncontrolled way.

In addition, many of the components by-produced in combustion are polluting in nature, so the abuse of gunpowder can influence the appearance of acid rains or deteriorate air quality.

Fireworks

Pyrotechnics were invented by the Chinese for peaceful purposes.

Pyrotechnics is also an invention of the Chinese, who used gunpowder for peaceful, entertainment purposes, until they were forced to invent firearms to repel the Mongol invaders. Even today gunpowder is used for these purposes, especially on significant dates, such as the end of the year.

Pyrotechnic devices are generally composed of a mixture of gunpowder and other substances which are responsible for producing certain colors, noise and fumes. For example, in fireworks the colors They are produced by the presence of salts that, depending on the cation they have, will have a certain color:

  • Yellow. Sodium salts (Na).
  • Orange. Iron salts (Fe).
  • Green. Copper salts (Cu).
  • Red. Strontium salts (Sr).
  • White. Aluminum (Al) and magnesium (Mg) salts.
  • Apple green. Barium salts (Ba).
  • Soft red. Lithium salts (Li).

However, there are also specialized forms of pyrotechnics, such as flares used in rescue or signaling missions, as well as in the fight against hail or in the lighting of certain spaces.

Firearms

The invention of firearms would not have been possible without the discovery of gunpowder, and it dates back to the Chinese dynasties of the 10th and 11th century, who adapted iron-reinforced bamboo pipes for firing. metal pieces to the Mongol invaders. Before they had already developed a significant number of similar weapons, such as bombs, rockets and flamethrowers.

Firearms came to the West over the next few centuries and provided nations Europeans have the advantage over other enemy peoples, as is the case of the invasion of America during the 15th century. Since then, its development and improvement has not ceased, nor has its use in warfare around the world.

In addition, they are used in hunting, since it facilitates the work and allows a greater shooting distance, and in disciplines target shooting sports.

There must not be in human history such a deadly invention as firearms.

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