Powder Chemistry and Manufacture

[RPRNY]

My goal is not to attempt to make smokeless powder.

I am interested in better understanding the chemistry of nitrocellulose gun powder and how it is manufactured and was wondering if someone could point to good resources to read up on this subject. There was some good info in Phil Sharpe's "Handloading" but it is dated.

Appreciate the advice.

 

[RPRNY]

Nevermind.

This is on the way:

 

[rcmodel]

About all there is to know here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokeless_powder

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/lab/forensic-science-communications/fsc/april2002/mccord.htm

Free.

rc

 

[Rico567]

Smokeless powder is either nitrocellulose, or a mixture of nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose, hence the terms "single base" and "double base" powders. Been that way since the beginning. There may be small amounts of added ingredients like graphite, but that's it. The manufacturing processes involved I assume to be complex.

 

[jaguarxk120]

Find a copy of Complete Guide to Handloading by Phil Sharpe, in the text he describes the manufacture of smokeless gun powder.

 

[RPRNY]

Find a copy of Complete Guide to Handloading by Phil Sharpe, in the text he describes the manufacture of smokeless gun powder.

There was some good info in Phil Sharpe's "Handloading" but it is dated.

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/lab/forensic-science-communications/fsc/april2002/mccord.htm

Thanks, good link.

Also useful: NATO study of the chemsitry and gas products of Double Base and other Propellants: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CDoQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dtic.mil%2Fcgi-bin%2FGetTRDoc%3FAD%3DADA425264&ei=AR8VU9GCK4TgkQe324DACQ&usg=AFQjCNGaIOvydTHdfQAz1mtJ__XxIjRphQ&sig2=qreIYX7d_0qo3Yg5MF3-eQ&bvm=bv.62286460,d.eW0