what are the chemical components of black powder?

Answer 1

The classical answer is very old:
Saltpeter, charcoal, sulfur.

In reality there are many versions, some very new.

Sodium nitrate (also called Chili saltpeter) can be substituted for Potassium nitrate (saltpeter). Potassium chlorate can also be used as the oxidizer.

The charcoal is best if from softwood (like artists charcoal) not hardwood (like charcoal briquettes). It must be in the form of a fine powder.

The sulfur used is usually called flowers of sulfur. This also is a very fine powder, not lumps of sulfur.

The addition of magnesium or aluminum powder will make "flash powder," once used in photography.

Answer 2

Black powder consists of the granular ingredients sulfur (S), charcoal (provides carbon to the reaction) and saltpetre (saltpetre, potassium nitrate, KNO3; provides oxygen to the reaction).

A simple, commonly cited, chemical equation for the combustion of black powder is:

2 KNO3 + S + 3C → K2S + N2 + 3CO2
A more accurate, but still simplified[1], equation is

10 KNO3 + 3S + 8C → 2K2CO3 + 3K2SO4 + 6 CO2 + 5N2
The products of burning do not follow any simple equation. One study's results showed it produced (in order of descending quantities): 55.91% solid products: Potassium carbonate, Potassium sulfate, Potassium sulfide, Sulfur, Potassium nitrate, Potassium thiocyanate, Carbon, Ammonium carbonate. 42.98% gaseous products: Carbon dioxide, Nitrogen, Carbon monoxide, Hydrogen sulfide, Hydrogen, Methane. 1.11% water

The optimum proportions for gunpowder are: 74.64% saltpetre, 13.51% charcoal, and 11.85% sulfur (by mass). The current standard for black powder manufactured by pyrotechnicians today is 75% potassium nitrate, 15% softwood charcoal and 10% sulfur.

For the most powerful black powder "meal" a wood charcoal is used. The best wood for the purpose is pacific willow, but others such as alder or buckthorn can be used. The ingredients are mixed as thoroughly as possible. This is achieved using a ball mill with non-sparking grinding apparatus (lead), or similar device.

Answer 3

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what are the chemical components of black powder?

Answer 4

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Do yourself a HUGE favor and don't look online for any type of powder, smokeless or blackpowder. You will automatically be assessed a $20 hazardous materials surcharge on top of the shipping fee! Try to find a gun shop near you that handles powder or better yet a shop that is strictly blackpowder. Try Triple Seven powder or pellets or American Pioneer Powder (Shockey Gold is the premium version of this). Make sure you try the FFg version for the .50 caliber. Don't rely on any speedloader loaded to the top to be the correct load either. Mine will hold in excess of 150 grains of blackpowder. Hodgdon (Triple Seven) also states that you should never load more than two pellets in a magnum capable muzzleloader or more than 127 grains by volume of the loose powder. To duplicate a blackpowder load, Triple Seven must be reduced by 15%. I think even reduced by 15% the Triple Seven seems to kick harder. 100 grains of Triple Seven is equivalent to 120 grains of blackpowder. I called and talked to a Hodgdon rep myself when Triple Seven first came out. Try different sabots and powder combinations till you find what shoots the best. Follow directions for cleanup on the powder containers, or better yet, use T/C # 13 bore cleaner for easier cleanup. To test for accuracy, clean your bore between each shot and load as consistently as possible. I find that putting a mark on the ramrod helps to seat the bullet to the same level each time. Seat the sabots firmly on the powder. I don't know how people think that Pyrodex is less corrosive than black powder. They are made up of the exact same chemical components, only in different ratios. Pyrodex is the least desirable powder to use in muzzleloaders fired by #10 or #11 caps due to the increased ignition point of Pyrodex. However, this becomes a non-issue when using 209 primers in an inline. Stick to 777 or APP.

Answer 5

The manual should say what kind of pwder to use. I use Pyrodex RS, its the FFG evquivalent. I like to shoot a round ball, they are cheap and easy to load. Use about 100gr of powder. You will need a measure for this. Get some 'speed' loaders for a 50 cal. and they measure the powder for you, fit the patch and ball into the speed loader, and fill to the top with powder. I have a 'inline' and a side cock model.. good luck and have fun.

Answer 6

A simple, commonly cited, chemical equation for the combustion of black powder is:

2 KNO3 + S + 3C → K2S + N2 + 3CO2

A more accurate, but still simplified, equation is:

10 KNO3 + 3S + 8C → 2K2CO3 + 3K2SO4 + 6 CO2 + 5N2

Answer 7

Carbon, Sulfur, and Potassium nitrate.

Aloha

Answer 8

sulfur (S), charcoal (provides carbon to the reaction) and saltpetre (saltpetre, potassium nitrate, KNO3; provides oxygen to the reaction). the person above put what is the chemical reaction which happens during combustion its not what in it

Answer 9

Poppy seeds, drain-o, teddy bear filling (the synthetic stuff, not the cotton stuff), hair from a virgin, and 2 potatoes.

Have fun!!!

Answer 10

charcoal + sodium nitrate + sulfur