Smokeless Powder

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smokeless powders are a class of propellants that
were developed in the late 19th century to
replace black powder. The term smokeless refers
to the minimal residue left in the gun barrel
following the use of smokeless powder. In
forensic analysis, smokeless powders are often
encountered as organic gunshot residue or as the
explosive charge in improvised explosive
devices. All smokeless powders can be placed into
one of three different classes according to the
chemical composition of their primary energetic
ingredients. A single-base powder contains
nitrocellulose, whereas a double-base powder
contains nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine. The
energetic ingredients in triple-base powders are
nitrocellulose, nitroglycerine, and
nitroguanidine, but because triple-base powders
are primarily used in large caliber munitions,
they are difficult to obtain on the open market.
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• Composition and Manufacturing
• The major classes of compounds in smokeless
  propellants include energetics, stabilizers,
  plasticizers, flash suppressants, deterrents,
  opacifiers, and dyes (Bender 1998 Radford Army
  Ammunition Plant 1987).
• Energetics facilitate the explosion. The base
  charge is nitrocellulose, a polymer that gives
  body to the powder and allows extrudability. The
  addition of nitroglycerine softens the
  propellant,
• raises the energy content, and reduces
  hygroscopicity. Adding nitroguanidine reduces
  flame temperature, embrittles the mixture at
  high concentration, and improves energy-flame
  temperature relationship.
• Stabilizers prevent the nitrocellulose and
  nitroglycerine from decomposing by neutralizing
  nitric and nitrous acids that are produced
  during decomposition. If the acids are not
  neutralized, they can catalyze further
  decomposition. Some of the more common
  stabilizers used to extend the safe life of the
  energetics are diphenylamine, methyl centralite,
  and ethyl centralite.
• Plasticizers reduce the need for volatile
  solvents necessary to colloid nitrocellulose,
  soften the propellant, and reduce
  hygroscopicity. Examples of plasticizers include
  nitroglycerine, dibutyl phthalate,
  dinitrotoluene, ethyl centralite, and triacetin.
• Flash suppressants interrupt free-radical chain
  reaction in muzzle gases and work against
  secondary flash. They are typically alkali or
  alkaline earth salts that either are contained in
  the formulation of the propellant or exist as
  separate granules.
• Deterrents coat the exterior of the propellant
  granules to reduce the initial burning rate on
  the surface as well as to reduce initial flame
  temperature and ignitability. The coating also
  broadens the pressure peak and increases
  efficiency. Deterrents may be a penetrating type
  such as
• Herkoteâ, dibutyl phthalate, dinitrotoluene,
  ethyl centralite, methyl centralite, or dioctyl
  phthalate or an inhibitor type such as Vinsolâ
  resin.
• Opacifiers enhance reproducibility primarily in
  large grains and keep radiant heat from
  penetrating the surface. They may also enhance
  the burning rate. The most common opacifier is
  carbon black.
• Dyes are added mainly for identification
  purposes.
• Other ingredients may be one of the following
• A graphite glaze used to coat the powder to
  improve flow and packing density as well as to
  reduce static sensitivity and increase
  conductivity

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• Bore erosion coatings applied as a glaze to
  reduce heat transfer to the barrel, but uncommon
  in small-arms propellants
• Ignition aid coatings that are most commonly used
  in ball powders to improve surface oxygen balance