If you look at the composition of the powder, it can be divided into two types - smokeless and black (or black).Nitrocellulose gunpowder, as it is sometimes called smokeless option for its manufacture requires concentrated acids.Therefore, how to make a smokeless gunpowder - will not be considered, and we shall understand better the ropes with black.For each component it fulfills its role, and replace it without compromising quality possible.The invention of gunpowder was made possible in that territory, where people were able to find nitrate.The deposits of the mineral are rare.Without this component manufacturing is impossible, because it plays an important role oxidant.
Classical composition powder includes nitrate, yellow sulfur and charcoal.Nitrate can take different, its properties are different.For example, sodium nitrate is too hygroscopic, and is on the air, it will absorb moisture and dampen.As a result of the combustion of gunpowder will be unstable.This can be a little touch up, if you add to the end product of 3% potassium permanganate.Ammonium nitrate seems to be even better properties than potassium, but ammonium nitrate powder obtained ballistic uniform.
But for our purposes it will fit any nitrate.After all, the quality of the final product is highly dependent on the degree of grinding and mixing the components.
Sera.Ordinary, yellow sulfur.It is very important that it is dust.It should be pulverized in a mortar and pestle.It can be in a coffee grinder, then only kitchen appliance will have a good wash.Sulfur in the powder, on the one hand, acts as a binder.There besserny gunpowder, but it is dusty, and its components are connected poorly.On the other hand, sulfur powder does more flammable because facilitates the transfer of oxygen from nitrate to coal.
Charcoal - this is the last component.Immediately I must say that the activated carbon is not the best replacement.The fact that it is inherently wood and bone.Himself make charcoal as follows.We have to find the old dry branches resinous trees - suitable birch, poplar or apple, alder best.Then pour on a layer of sand cast iron frying pan, put the wood, and laid on top of another layer of sand.Put the pan over high heat and fired a couple of hours.After that, remove the pan and let it cool down (if you take out the coal at once, it may become self-igniting).Old dry trees suitable for this purpose better because it contains much less of substances that are left after combustion ash.If you are interested in how to make gunpowder more resistant and contain less moisture, do not be lazy and get the old dry trees.At a time when used only in this powder, wood for making charcoal, first stabbed and then left for a year in the rain and wind.
now directly about how to make gunpowder.The most common composition has the following proportions: nitrate - 15 parts sulfur - 2 parts, coal - 3 parts.All of the components should be as crushed.All this is mixed.And now the most important thing.It is necessary to take a little water and, stirring, add the mixture.As a result, it should get a thick paste.Carefully frayed resulting mass through a sieve, it should be put on the metal sheet and leave to dry.Dried mass necessary to crush once again, pass it through a sieve.All the powder is ready.If you used potassium nitrate, then it will ignite easily and burn at a moderate speed.If the proportions, in a ratio of 13: 3: 4, such a mixture would be much more powerful.
Now a little about how to make the powder more palatable for use in any kind of show.If added to the resulting composition to 10% of magnesium turnings (you can and aluminum powder), the combustion will be held with a bright flash and the formation of a large cloud of white smoke.
