Combustion of Black Powder. Part 1: Thermo‐analytical studies

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Abstract
An experimental programme is described, in which a number of thermo‐analytical techniques, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG and DTG) are applied to investigate the combustion of black powder. The primary aim has been to investigate, and determine qualitatively and quantitatively, the nature of the solid products of combustion. Additionally, standard analytical techniques were applied, to a chemical analysis of the solid products, resulting from the electric arcignition of a sample of black‐powder, under ambient, open air conditions. The solid products formed 33% by weight of the unburned black powder, consisting of K2SO4 (15%), K2CO3 (11.5%) and small amounts of KNO3 and KNO2. The DSC, TG and DTG analyses suggest a mechanism for the combustion, based on phase changes and transition stages of sulfur and KNO3, and their interaction with charcoal.

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