Abstract
For 13 different types of black powder, the safety parameters and the corresponding danger values were determined according to the methods of BAM. The investigations have shown that threeβcomponent powders containing 75% potassium nitrate have a somewhat higher danger level than the corresponding powders containing 70% potassium nitrate only. However, in both cases, the thermal sensitivity is almost the same.
The heats of explosion and the maximum gas pressures measured in the ballistic bomb increase with rising potassium nitrate content within the tested range of concentration.
Despite their equal chemical composition, the various powders differ partly to a considerable extent as regards the rate of pressure buildup measured in the ballistic bomb. The latter will rise with both an increase of the content in potassium nitrate and decreasing grain size and density. The whirling height determined in the eprouvette and the burning velocity at atmospheric pressure in the open channel will be reduced with increasing grain size.
In case the powder grain are ground down or compressed, the explosive properties will be reduced, too.