Does powder in a firecracker burn or explode?
- Thread starter tpcollins
- Start date
A detonation does not need confinement. Deflagration does need confinement for an explosion. Confinement may cause a deflagration to burn fast enough to transition to a detonation wave. "Explosion" is an imprecise term that could refer to either. (Imprecise is sometimes a good thing)
I wasn't there when the alleged can of Bullseye was blown up with a blasting cap, but it's plausible that it detonated. It's also plausible that it was just scattered from the force of the cap and didn't do anything.
I wasn't there when the alleged can of Bullseye was blown up with a blasting cap, but it's plausible that it detonated. It's also plausible that it was just scattered from the force of the cap and didn't do anything.
Jim Watson
New member
That is about what I figured. It might have actually detonated the NG content of the Bullseye, or it might have been a good story flowing out of a supply of Schlitz and a campfire at the hunting club.
The authorities are SO unreasonable about scientific experimentation these days, else it might be tried again, with video.
The authorities are SO unreasonable about scientific experimentation these days, else it might be tried again, with video.
yes it does
30 years of firework making , firecrackers are made from flash powder.
70%potassium perc , 10% dark alum powder. and it does explode.
Here is some unconfined.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0ZPfY28fsY
30 years of firework making , firecrackers are made from flash powder.
70%potassium perc , 10% dark alum powder. and it does explode.
Here is some unconfined.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0ZPfY28fsY
A low explosive is usually a mixture of a combustible substance and an oxidant that decomposes rapidly (deflagration); unlike most high explosives, which are compounds.
Under normal conditions, low explosives undergo deflagration at rates that vary from a few centimeters per second to approximately 400 meters per second. It is possible for them to deflagrate very quickly, producing an effect similar to a detonation. This usually occurs when ignited in a confined space.
Low explosives are normally employed as propellants. Included in this group are gun powders, pyrotechnics such as flares and illumination devices .
Detonation is a process of combustion in which a supersonic shock wave is propagated through a fluid due to an energy release in a reaction zone. It is the more powerful of the two general classes of combustion, the other one being deflagration. In a detonation, the shock compresses the material thus increasing the temperature to the point of ignition. The ignited material burns behind the shock and releases energy that supports the shock propagation. This self-sustained detonation wave is different from a deflagration, which propagates at a subsonic rate (i.e., slower than the sound speed in the material itself). Because detonations generate high pressures, they are usually much more destructive than deflagrations. It is possible to get what is called sympathetic detonation from the shock wave alone.
Brisance is a measure of the rapidity with which an explosive develops its maximum pressure. It is also the reason why you do not want to put smokeless powder into a gun made for black powder
Under normal conditions, low explosives undergo deflagration at rates that vary from a few centimeters per second to approximately 400 meters per second. It is possible for them to deflagrate very quickly, producing an effect similar to a detonation. This usually occurs when ignited in a confined space.
Low explosives are normally employed as propellants. Included in this group are gun powders, pyrotechnics such as flares and illumination devices .
Detonation is a process of combustion in which a supersonic shock wave is propagated through a fluid due to an energy release in a reaction zone. It is the more powerful of the two general classes of combustion, the other one being deflagration. In a detonation, the shock compresses the material thus increasing the temperature to the point of ignition. The ignited material burns behind the shock and releases energy that supports the shock propagation. This self-sustained detonation wave is different from a deflagration, which propagates at a subsonic rate (i.e., slower than the sound speed in the material itself). Because detonations generate high pressures, they are usually much more destructive than deflagrations. It is possible to get what is called sympathetic detonation from the shock wave alone.
Brisance is a measure of the rapidity with which an explosive develops its maximum pressure. It is also the reason why you do not want to put smokeless powder into a gun made for black powder
bedbugbilly
New member
I'm no expert on explosives, chemistry or anything else and I'm not posting to ruffle any feathers . . . . . . I just thinking . . . . in order to have fire . . i.e. "burn" . . . you need 3 things - oxygen, fuel and heat . . . basically, isn't that what you are all talking about? burn or explode . . . . doesn't "explosion" come from the rapid expansion of gasses caused from burning? Several exam;les given - black powder in a barrel - cap goes off giving a source of heat to the fuel (black powder) mixed with oxygen in amongst the granules causes the powder to burn - it burns at a rapid rate in a confined space of the bore between the breechplug and the bullet - the gasses produced is what expels the bullet down and out the bore. In a fire cracker, the propelllent is confined in a closed space where there is oxygen, the fuse furnises the heat and walla, the propellent burns causing a rapid expansion of gasses confined in the container and the result is a "bang". As the one fellow pointed out from his experience, the propellent is not black powder but it is a rapididly burning compound that "flashes" (or burns) at a rate that will cause the desired effects of a loud bang. Anyone with firefighting experience that has seen a house "backdraft" will be able to relate to the same theory. A fire is contained within the walls and ceiling (actually forming a large container that is pretty well "sealed") - the fire goes through "stages" and eventually, due to a lack of oxygen, the fuel (paneling, carpet, furniture, etc.) is starved for oxygen . . . . for some reason . . . it might be an unsuspecting or inexperienced firefighter who opens a door to enter to fight the fire or takes out a window or it could even be a "burn through" . . . air (oxygen) is suddenly introduced into the confined space causing the fire to accelerate quickly and a rapid expanse of gasses occurs and again . . . walla . . . you get a "backdraft" or explosion. That is pretty simply put but for those who haven't had firefighting experience, it will give you an idea.
Just my thoughts on it and my 2 cents worth which probably isn't worth much. Thanks!
Just my thoughts on it and my 2 cents worth which probably isn't worth much. Thanks!
High explosives vs low explosives.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosives#Low_explosives
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosives#Type_of_reaction
If you ship or order smokeless powder you will discover it is a highly flammable hazardous material. If you ship or order black powder you'll find it is classified as an explosive. Our government regulates the transportation of these materials. They wouldn't be wrong about this, would they?
Bullseye powder indeed detonates at high order
I have on many occasions detonated bullseye powder with acetone peroxide as the detonating medium.It was detonated in everything from a ducktape wrapped freezer storage bag to a shaped charge capable of defeating 1in hardened steel plate(2oz charge)
This stuff is wicked powerful possessing the same detonation velocity as TNT
21000 FPS
I have on many occasions detonated bullseye powder with acetone peroxide as the detonating medium.It was detonated in everything from a ducktape wrapped freezer storage bag to a shaped charge capable of defeating 1in hardened steel plate(2oz charge)
This stuff is wicked powerful possessing the same detonation velocity as TNT
21000 FPS