“Gunpowder” Introduction: Gunpowder, also referred to as Black Powder, is used as a chemical explosive. It is in use since early times. It is made up of three different materials, sulphur, charcoal and potassium nitrate (saltpeter). Charcoal and sulphur, both serve as fuels, and potassium nitrate is used as an oxidizer in it. Because of its burning capabilities and the amount of gas and heat that it produces, gunpowder has been utilized as a propellant in firearms mainly and in the pyrotechnic composition in fireworks. It has been assigned the UN number UN0027 and has a hazard class of 1.1D. It has a flash point of approximately 427-464 degree Celsius. It has a pH of 6.0 to 8.0. Invention: Gunpowder was invented in the 8th century in China according to the prevailing academic consensus. And the earliest record of a written formula for gunpowder appears in the 11th century Song Dynasty text, WujiangZongyao. This Chinese discovery led to the making of gunpowder weapons in the Muslim world, Europe and the Middle East. Gunpowder was invented while alchemists attempted to make a potion of immortality. History: Chinese military forces used gunpowder-based weapons such as …show more content…
And in 1515 three king’s men worked there for making and supplying the gunpowder in Britain. The English Civil War (1642-1645) had an impact on the gunpowder industry mainly causing its expansion with the repeal of the Royal Patent in august 1641. The invention of smokeless powder caused the contraction of this industry. By the end of the World War 1almostall the British gunpowder making companies combined into a single company and some sites were shut down, including some from