Retrieved: 09/16/2016

rec.pyrotechnics
Golden powder.
5 posts by 4 authors  

aeltr
10/30/97
 Hi all, I am looking for some technical information on a composition termed 
here in my country as "Golden Powder". Any technical specs. pertaining to 
composition, gas volumes, deflagration- and ignition temperatures ? 
Alternative compositions would 



donald j haarmann
11/5/97

aeltr  wrote in article <01bce51c$ebc60740$884c58d1@aeltr>...


> Hi all,
> 
> I am looking for some technical information on a composition termed here in
> my country as "Golden Powder".
[snip]

Golden Powder: A New Explosive/Propellant Based on Ascorbic Acid

P. A. Wehrli and M. J. Space
Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
Nutley, N.J. 07110
(2071.) 235-5000

The search for Black Powder substitutes is an old 
one dating back into the 19th century. In l846, nitro-cellulose was 
discovered and the quest to find explosives or propellants with 
safer and improved performance characteristics is still ongoing. 
Within this chain of discoveries, we should like to present a new 
explosive, discovered and patented by Earl F. Kurtzl, which we 
have developed in collaboration with Golden Powder of Texas Inc.

This powder, called "Golden Powder" because of 
its appearance in early experiments or of its perceived potential 
value, is a simple explosive made from potassium nitrate and 
ascorbic acid. The exact chemical composition is not known due to 
the transformation of most of the ascorbic acid into compounds of 
unknown structure, presumably polymeric in nature.

The process is a very simple one. The two 
compounds, ascorbic acid and potassium nitrate in a weight ratio of 
38:62 are heated, in the presence of water and a small amount of 
potassium bicarbonate, until a "melt" is formed and the color turns 
golden-brown. It is then immediately cooled, broken into pieces, 
and crushed to a powder. It can be processed further, e.g., by 
compaction or molding, granulation, or any other suitable process.

U.S. Patent #4,497,676, February 5, 1985.


Laboratory Process

A typical laboratory recipe is as follows: Weigh 
105.7 g of potassium nitrate, 65.2 g of ascorbic acid, 3.7 g of 
potassium bicarbonate, and 128.5 g of deionized water into a 250 
ml Erylemenmer flask. (2) Potassium bicarbonate is added as a 
precaution to prevent the formation of nitric acid due to acidic 
impurities present in the raw materials. Agitate the slurry using a 
magnetic stirring bar. The temperature falls several degrees during 
the solid dissolution process. Heat the solution to 600C to 
completely dissolve the solids. When the solids are dissolved, the 
solution will be pale yellow.

Pour the solution into a 45 cm x 37L cm pyrex 
dish. Some material will  crystallize out in the coo- dish but will re-
dissolve Later. The solution will form a Layer 2-3 m-thick. Place the 
dish into an oven preheated to 7-200C. During the first 1 1/2 hr. of 
heat treatment, the majority of the water is removed. The dried 
solid will rise to a thickness of 5-10 mm and turn from yellow to 
brown in color. The best performing material is heated for 3 hr. The 
tray is removed from the oven, covered with aluminum foil and 
allowed to cool to room temperature.

The heat-treated material is a brittle sponge like solid which breaks 
up easily when touched. As soon as cool, the solid is removed from 
the tray and ground into a powder using a mortar and pestle. At 
this point, we have Golden Powder in its crude state. The powder 
is hygroscopic and care should be taken to minimize exposure to 
water or humid atmosphere to avoid caking.

2.        Potassium nitrate and potassium bicarbonate are reagent,--
grade material. The ascorbic acid is Hoffmann-La Roche, U.S.P. 
grade material.

-Heat Treatment

While the water is vaporized, crystals of 
potassium nitrate 10-50 microns in size are formed. These 
crystals are visible in the final product under a scanning electron 
microscope (Figure 1). The photograph shows the cross-section 
of a typical particle. The lighter particles seem to be crystals of 
potassium nitrate surrounded by a matrix of ascorbic acid 
"polymer". Golden powder is similar to other composite 
propellants where the oxidizer is coated by the fuel. In this case, 
the oxidizer is potassium nitrate and the fuel is ascorbic acid 
polymer.

Figure 1
Scanning Electron Micrograph of Golden Powder (20OX)        

Although we do not know the reactions which take 
place during the heat treatment, several observations have been 
made. The potassium nitrate is essentially unaffected by the 
heating so the reacting component is ascorbic acid. During the 
treatment, gaseous products are given off which causes the 
powder to rise. These products have been identified as carbon 
dioxide and water and account for a weight loss of 10-12% during 
the heating (Figure 2). This loss is in addition to the water used to 
dissolve the ascorbic acid and potassium nitrate. The reaction 
progress can be followed by monitoring the ascorbic acid content 
of the powder.

Several temperatures have been used for the heat treatment 
ranging from 105oC to 140oC (Figure 3). As we would expect, the 
degradation is more rapid at higher temperatures.For convenience 
on a laboratory scale, we chose 120oC asour working temperature. 
The best powder contains 2-5% residua ascorbic acid which is 
produced after about 3 hr at 1200C. Higher temperatures are 
possible with good control on the heating time and temperature. 
Overheating of the powder results in the formation of carbon and a 
decrease in performance and safety.

The physical properties of golden powder are summarized below in 
Table I. Golden Powder has several advantageous properties as a 
propellant. It can be molded without any binders into a solid fuel for 
use as consumable cartridges. The heat of combustion is 5% 
higher and the gas volume produced is 10% greater than an 
equivalent amount of black powder. The residue on ignition is only 
28% compared to about 50% using black powder. In addition, the 
residue from burning golden powder is water soluble, unlike many 
other propellants.

Table I

Physical Properties of Golden Powder and Black Powder

Golden Powder                        Black Powder

color                                Golden to medium                Black powder
                                brown
Bulk Density (20-50 mesh)                .88-.90 gm/cc                ---
Heat of Combustion                        718 cal/gm                684 cal/gm)
Gas Vo-.ume on Combustion        298 cc/gm                271 cal/gm
Residue on Combustion                28% (H2O soluble)        50%
Ignition Temperature                333o C                313oC (4)

4.Initiation temperature from differential calorimentry on 
Gearhart-Owen Industries Superfine, FFFG Black Powder.

Using differential scanning calorimetry, the ignition temperature of 
golden powder was determined to be 333oC (Figure 4). The 
ignition temperature is 200C higher than that measured for black 
powder in the same equipment. Scanning calorimetric studies show 
a two-stage exotherm over a temperature range of 333oC to 
455oC.

Ballistic Performance

Although Golden Powder offers a wide spectrum 
of applications, one area which has attracted the attention of end 
users is its use as a black powder substitute. Golden Powder can 
be easily granulated to any grade of gun powder. The crude 
powder can be compacted to pellets or sheets which can be milled 
to appropriate grain sizes. We have made granulations of golden 
powder which pass through a 20-mesh screen but are retained on 
a 40-mesh screen. This material was tested ballistically in a .45 
caliber, 32 inch rifled test barrel. Muzzle velocities where 
measured using lumiIine screens and the peak pressures 
measured using lead crushers. The balIistic data from three 
separate lots or golden powder are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2

Ballistic Performance of Golden Powder

60 Grain loading in 32 inch, 45 caliber, 138, grain, Hornady
#6060 lead balls and Connecticut Valley Arms #11 percussion

Golden Powder Lot                   5 Shot Average

                  Muzzle Velocity        Peak Chamber Pressure
               (ft./sec)                        (LUP,)

1                     1,363                        5,300
2                     1,375                        5,000
3                     1,383                        5,400

Range (3 Lots) 1,330-1,410        4,600-5,500
SD               20.2                        230
(3 Lots)

These muzzle velocities are comparable to black powder at significantly 
lower chamber pressures. The ballistic results are extremely 
reproducible from shot to shot and from lot to lot. The 
standard deviation of velocities over the fifteen shots was 
only 20.2 ft./sec. and the standard deviation of peak pressures was 
230 LUP.

As we stated earlier, the best performing material 
was powder in which the ascorbic acid has been reacted to a 
residual level of 2-5%. The ballistic performance of golden powder 
has been measured as a function of the ascorbic assay (Figure 5). 
The muzzle velocity of the powder, which has a residual ascorbic 
acid assay -less than 5%, is double that of powder which has an 
ascorbic acid assay greater than 30%.

Safety

One of the advantageous properties of golden 
powder is its safety. Unlike black powder, golden powder can be 
shipped as a flammable solid following the recommendation of 
the Bureau of Mines. They recommend a DOT classification as a 
Class B Explosive. The Bureau of Mines testing included thermal 
stability at 75oC for 48 hours during which golden powder was 
stable. No detonation of golden powder occurred during the 
blasting cap sensitivity test, the package burn test, and the squib 
test. Golden powder did not ignite on the Association of American 
Railroads Bureau of Explosives strip friction test in 10 out of 7-0 
trials under 500 psig, which is equivalent to 100 pounds of friction 
force.

Summary

Golden Powder is a new explosive product based 
on ascorbic acid. Its combustion characteristics are comparable to 
black powder but with several other distinct advantages. Golden 
powder is safer to handle and transport. It forms about half the 
residue as black powder when burned. The residue formed is 
non-corrosive and is water-soluble. Golden powder is easily 
molded into solid fuel elements which burn at a well controlled rate. 
When used as gunpowder, the performance is comparable to black 
powder but is significantly more reproducible. The inherent safety 
of' the powder allows its shipment as a flammable solid by common 
carrier. With these characteristics, golden powder is a product with 
many potential applications.

-- 
donald j haarmann
-------------------------------
If all the young ladies who attended the Yale
promenade dance were laid end to end,
no one would be the least suprised.

Dorothy Parker

 


William Chops
11/5/97


Love those scanning errors!
  Heat the solution to 600C to completely dissolve the solids.
  The solution will form a Layer 2-3 m-thick.

  Place the dish into an oven preheated to 7-200C.

BillW
-- 
(remove spam food from return address)

 


Harry H Conover
11/6/97


donald j  haarmann (haa...@mail.idt.net) wrote:
: 
: Well if you could get the acolytes too pony up 25-30K I could
: get a really good scanner!
:
Don, the one you are using now is sufficiently awesome!

Thanks for some wonderful posts.

                                                Harry C.
 

 


donald j haarmann 
11/8/97

Black Canyon Powder

BLACK CANYON TM POWDER DATA SHEET

Black Canyon Powder is a pyrotechnic composition which is 
best described as replica black powder. It does not contain 
nitro-cellulose nor is it a smokeless propellant. It is a propellant 
designed for use in percussion and black powder cartridge arms 
found by a competent gunsmith to be in good shootable condition. 
Black Canyon Powder is not black powder, but ft does smoke. It is 
classified by the Department of Transportation as a flammable 
solid in limited quantities and can be shipped by most common 
carriers.

Black Canyon- Powder is intended to be used on a weight to 
weight basis with black powder and will give approximately the 
same velocity and pressure as black powder when used in this 
manner. The ball or projectile must be seated firmly on the powder 
when loading. For best velocities after seating the ball or projectile, 
pack firmly with a heavy brass or wooden ramrod. WARNING: 
THIS PACKING PROCEDURE SHOULD NEVER BE DONE WITH 
ANY OTHER POWDER.

Black Canyon Powder does not contain sulfur. No sulfur 
fouling, no sulfur corrosion, and no sulfur odor resulting from using 
Black Canyon- Powder. It is not necessary to clean the bore 
between shots as required when using black powder, but always 
clean the weapon after use as with black powder. The weapon 
should be cleaned with a water based solvent, dried thoroughly 
and oiled lightly.

Black Canyon- Powder can be used in flintlocks.

Black Canyon- Power produces ballistic pressure curves 
similar to that produced by black powder when equal weights of 
each are used. While Black Canyon Powder is safer to use than 
black powder, it will burn if ignited. As with black powder, Black 
Canyon- Powder can be overloaded to create dangerous pressure. 
Follow recommended data only and do not attempt "magnum" 
loading or use multiple ball loading as this will create dangerous 
pressures. WARNING: DO NOT INCREASE LOADS PAST 
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BLACK POWDER.

Black Canyon Powder is not recommended for use in 
Damascus barreled guns. Black Canyon- Powder should not be 
exposed to direct sunlight, open flame, sparks, heat, or allowed to 
become contaminated with oil, grease, or any other foreign 
materials, left open or exposed to humid conditions. Moisture will 
ruin Black Canyon Powder. Keep lid on the bottle when not being 
used. Black Canyon Powder should not be stored in glass bottles 
or fIasks and stock should be rotated (using the oldest powder 
first).

Black Canyon- Powder, like all smokeless propellants, has a 
"shelf life". This means that eventually it will deteriorate. The "shelf 
life" of Black Canyon- Powder depends on methods of handling 
and storage, i.e.: cold, hot, dry or humid conditions, particular lots 
of powder, breakdown of powder granules, etc. If stored properly, 
the "shelf life" of Black Canyon- Powder should be many years, 
although no assurance of this "shelf life" can be given.

Black Canyon- Powder is intended for use in firearms only and is 
not intended for blasting, pipe bombs, etc.

Obey all local, state, and federal laws, ordinances, and regulations 
when storing and transporting Black Canyon Powder.

Do not grind or crush Black Canyon- Powder, as with any material 
which can be ignited, this practice can be very dangerous.

Black Canyon- Powder may be harmful if swallowed. If swallowed 
induce vomiting and call physician immediately.

WARNING: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING OR GIVE 
ANYTHING BY MOUTH TO AN UNCONSCIOUS PERSON. KEEP 
OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Although Black Canyon- Powder and black powder both are 
packaged in one pound containers, Black Canyon- Powder has 
more volume, this is why it is packaged in a larger container. 
Therefore to produce a powder measure of equal weight you will 
have to put more Black Canyon- Powder in your volumetric 
measurer. Even though you are using more volume, you will still 
get an equal number of shots of equal weight in both one pound of 
Black Canyon- Powder and one pound of black powder. The table 
below shows what your volumetric measurer has to be set to for 
different weights of Black Canyon Powder (all figure are 
approximate). WARNING: VOLUMETRIC MEASURERS VARY 
GREATLY.

Legend Products Corporation
1555 E. Flamingo Road, Suite 404
Las Vegas, NV 89119

 (702) 228-1808
(702) 228-7484 Fax


-- 
donald j haarmann
-------------------------------
Appeasers beleive that if you keep throwing
steaks to a tiger, the tiger will become a vegetrarian,
Heywood Broun