how to mare black powder :: essays research papers

How to Make portentous Powder(and other explosives)Introduction foreboding(a) Powder, also known as Gun mill, is an explosive that has been around, literally,for centuries. The exact origins of the formula are lost in time, but it is known that theChinese used bleak Powder in weaponry at least 1,000 years ago.Technically, Black Powder burn by a process known as deflag balancen. This differs fromdetonation in that Black Powder produces subsonic shock waves, as opposed to thesupersonic shock waves produced by explosives such as Dynamite, C-4 or TNT. Thismeans that Black Powder is better suited as a propellant (such as in fireworks, bullets and potbellynons) than blasting (such as in grammatical construction or demolition).SafetyBlack Powder is dangerous. The powder burns at a very high temperature, and is easilyignited. (High grade powder doesnt even need a flame to ignite it can be set off bypercussion, such as the punk pin of a pistol.) Basically, what I am saying is that if y ouare non careful, you could land up with very severe burns, or worse. Some fundamentalguidelines to follow1) Always liquify ingredients in small amounts. Do non try to make 10 Kg of blackpowder (or all explosive) in one batch. Mixing small amounts of powder limitsthe potential revile should an unexpected explosion occur.2) Keep your workplace tidy. Always carefully sponge up spilled chemicals. Somematerials can spontaneously combust when mixed (this is specially true ofnitrates and chlorates). For the same reason, use separate instruments (plasticspoons, mixing cups, etc) for different chemicals. grade your instruments so thatyou know what materials they have been in contact with.3) Mix materials outdoors. chemical substance explosives contain their own internal source ofoxygen, and cannot be smothered. If you start a chemical fire indoors, it can benearly impossible to extinguish.4) Be aware of static sparks. Do not use metal instruments to mix or grind materials.Do not store chemicals in metal containers. Use ceramics or plastics whereverpossible. Store chemicals and mixtures in plastic containers or ZipLoc&63722 bags.5) Wear safety goggles. Should the worst happen, skin can be grafted. eye cannotbe replaced.IngredientsBlack Powder has traditionally consisted of three ingredients Potassium process (KNO3,also known as Salt Peter), Sulfur and oxford grey. The Sulfur and charcoal-gray provide fuel forthe reaction, while the Potassium Nitrate provides Oxygen. By themselves, Charcoal andSulfur will burn, albeit very slowly. The addition of an oxidizer (such as KNO3) greatlyspeeds up the burn rate of the fuel, resulting in an explosive reaction.The traditional ratio of the ingredients is 1532 of KNO3, Charcoal and Sulfur by tilt