People comment smokeless powder isn't an explosive, it's a propellant.
Wondering what defines it as that exactly? It goes bang fast like other things people would agree are explosives.
Know what I mean?
1290 wrote:Whether something is an explosive is determined by its rate of deflagration, how quickly it burns, or the velocity of the flame front... Unless confined, smokeless propellants, nitrocellulose based will 'fizzle', just burn relatively quickly but certainly not explode or detonate.
Black powder/gun powder will explode / detonate / burn very very quickly regardless of their confinement.
So, smokeless is not really an explosive. When stored or transported in its original thin steel or plastic containers, if ignited they will quickly split thereby preventing the build up of pressure. So smokeless is as dangerous/harmful as 100 other common chemicals normally stored around the house. Unfortunately. its classified as explosive, which makes it more difficult to transport, through more stringent regulations and therefore more expensive for end users...
1290 wrote:Whether something is an explosive is determined by its rate of deflagration, how quickly it burns, or the velocity of the flame front... Unless confined, smokeless propellants, nitrocellulose based will 'fizzle', just burn relatively quickly but certainly not explode or detonate.
sally-bee wrote:1290 wrote:Whether something is an explosive is determined by its rate of deflagration, how quickly it burns, or the velocity of the flame front... Unless confined, smokeless propellants, nitrocellulose based will 'fizzle', just burn relatively quickly but certainly not explode or detonate.
For arguments sake would I be safe lighting a teaspoons worth to see?
edit: of smokeless I mean.
greyghost wrote:You'd get a little tennis ball size ball of fire for a few seconds.
Someone posted a YouTube link doing it a while ago FYI.
Someone remember who....