GUNPOWDER

History of Gunpowder:

Gunpowder was invented in 9th-

century China and spread throughout most
parts of Eurasia by the end of the 13th
century. Originally developed by the Taoists
for medicinal purposes, gunpowder was first
used for warfare about 1000 AD.

Also known as black powder to

distinguish it from modern smokeless powder,
is the earliest known chemical explosive.
It consists of a mixture of sulfur (S), charcoal (C), and potassium
nitrate (saltpeter, KNO3).

SULFUR CHARCO POTASSIUM

AL NITRATE
PURPOSE:

• Ignition of gunpowder packed behind a projectile generates enough pressure to

force the shot from the muzzle at high speed, but usually not enough force to
rupture the gun barrel. Gunpowder thus makes a good propellant, but is less
suitable for shattering rock or fortifications with its low-yield explosive power.
However, by transferring enough energy (from the burning gunpowder to the
mass of the cannonball, and then from the cannonball to the opposing
fortifications by way of the impacting ammunition) eventually
a bombardier may wear down an opponent's fortified defenses.

• Gunpowder has been widely used as a propellant in firearms, artillery, rockets,

and fireworks, and as a blasting powder in quarrying, mining, and road building.
PRIMER
HISTORY:
• Chemical primers, advanced metallurgy and manufacturing techniques all came
together in the 19th century to create an entirely new class of firearm — the
cartridge arm. Flintlock and caps lock shooters had long carried
their ammunition in paper cartridges, which served to hold a measured charge of
powder and a bullet in one convenient package; the paper also served to seal the
bullet in the bore. Still, the source of ignition was handled separately from the
cartridge. With the advent of chemical primers, it was not long before several
systems were invented with many different ways of combining bullet, powder, and
primer into a single package which could be loaded quickly from the breech of the
firearm. This greatly streamlined the reloading procedure and paved the way for
semi- and fully automatic firearms.

• Invented by Casimir Lefaucheaux in 1828 but not patented until 1835, it was one
of the earliest practical designs of metallic cartridge.
PURPOSE OF PRIMER:

• In firearms and artillery, the primer is the

chemical and/or device responsible for
initiating the propellant combustion that
will push the projectiles out of the gun
barrel.