Gunpowder was first invented in. The mystery of the invention of gunpowder by Europeans
Gunpowder is an integral element that is used to load cartridges. Without the invention of this substance, humanity would never have known about firearms.
But few people are familiar with the history of gunpowder. And it turns out that it was invented completely by accident. And then for a long time they were used only for launching fireworks.
The emergence of gunpowder
This substance was invented in China. No one knows the exact date of the appearance of black powder, which is also called black. However, this happened around the 8th century. B.C. In those days, the emperors of China were very concerned about their own health. They wanted to live long and even dreamed of immortality. To achieve this, the emperors encouraged the work of Chinese alchemists who tried to discover a magical elixir. Of course, we all know that humanity never received the miraculous liquid. However, the Chinese, showing their persistence, carried out many experiments, mixing a variety of substances. They did not lose hope of fulfilling the imperial order. But sometimes the tests ended in unpleasant incidents. One of them occurred after alchemists mixed saltpeter, coal and some other components. A researcher unknown to history received flames and smoke while testing a new substance. The invented formula was even recorded in the Chinese chronicle.
For a long period of time, black powder was used only for fireworks. However, the Chinese went further. They stabilized the formula of this substance and learned to use it for explosions.
In the 11th century The first gunpowder weapon in history was invented. These were combat rockets in which the gunpowder first ignited and then exploded. These gunpowder weapons were used during sieges of fortress walls. However, in those days it had a more psychological effect on the enemy than a damaging effect. The most powerful weapon that ancient Chinese explorers came up with were clay hand bombs. They exploded and showered everything around with fragments of shards.
Conquest of Europe
From China, black powder began to spread throughout the world. It appeared in Europe in the 11th century. It was brought here by Arab merchants who sold rockets for fireworks. The Mongols began to use this substance for combat purposes. They used black gunpowder to take the previously impregnable castles of the knights. The Mongols used a fairly simple, but at the same time effective technology. They made a tunnel under the walls and planted a powder mine there. Exploding, these military weapons easily made a hole even in the thickest barriers.
In 1118, the first cannons appeared in Europe. They were used by the Arabs during the capture of Spain. In 1308, gunpowder cannons played a decisive role in the capture of the Gibraltar fortress. Then they were used by the Spaniards, who adopted these weapons from the Arabs. After this, the production of gunpowder guns began throughout Europe. Russia was no exception.
Obtaining pyroxylin
Black powder until the end of the 19th century. they loaded mortars and squeaks, flintlocks and muskets, as well as other military weapons. But at the same time, scientists did not stop their research to improve this substance. An example of this is the experiments of Lomonosov, who established a rational ratio of all components of the powder mixture. History also remembers unsuccessful attempt replacement of scarce nitrate with berthollet salt, which was undertaken by Claude Louis Bertholet. This replacement resulted in numerous explosions. Berthollet salt, or sodium chlorate, turned out to be a very active oxidizing agent.
A new milestone in the history of gunpowder production began in 1832. It was then that the French chemist A. Bracono first obtained nitrocellulose, or priroxiline. This substance is an ester of nitric acid and cellulose. The latter molecule contains large number hydroxyl groups, which react with nitric acid.
The properties of pyroxylin have been studied by many scientists. So, in 1848, Russian engineers A.A. Fadeev and G.I. Hess found that this substance was several times more powerful than the black powder invented by the Chinese. There were even attempts to use pyroxylin for shooting. However, they ended in failure, since the porous and loose cellulose had a heterogeneous composition and burned at an inconsistent rate. Attempts to compress pyroxylin also ended in failure. During this process, the substance often caught fire.
Obtaining pyroxylin powder
Who invented smokeless gunpowder? In 1884, the French chemist J. Viel created a monolithic substance based on pyroxylin. This is the first smokeless powder in the history of mankind. To obtain it, the researcher used the ability of pyroxylin to increase in volume while in a mixture of alcohol and ether. This produced a soft mass, which was then pressed, made into plates or ribbons, and then dried. The main part of the solvent evaporated. A small volume of it was preserved in pyroxylin. It continued to function as a plasticizer.
This mass is the basis smokeless powder. Its volume in this explosive is about 80-95%. Unlike previously obtained cellulose, pyroxylin powder showed its ability to burn at a constant speed strictly in layers. That is why it is still used for small arms.
Benefits of the new substance
Viel's white powder became real revolutionary discovery in the field of firearms. And there were several reasons explaining this fact:
1. Gunpowder produced virtually no smoke, whereas previously used explosive after just a few shots fired, it significantly narrowed the fighter’s field of vision. The only way to get rid of the clouds of smoke that appeared when using black powder was strong gusts wind. In addition, the revolutionary invention made it possible not to give away the fighter’s position.
2. Viel's gunpowder allowed the bullet to fly out higher speed. Because of this, its trajectory was more straight, which significantly increased the shooting accuracy and its range, which was about 1000 m.
3. Due to the greater power characteristics, smokeless powder was used in smaller quantities. Ammunition became significantly lighter, which made it possible to increase their quantity when moving an army.
4. Equipping the cartridges with pyroxylin allowed them to fire even when wet. Ammunition based on black powder had to be protected from moisture.
Viel's gunpowder was successfully tested in the Lebel rifle, which was immediately adopted by the French army. Others hastened to apply the invention. European countries. The first of these were Germany and Austria. New weapons were introduced in these states in 1888.
Nitroglycerin powder
Soon, researchers obtained a new substance for military weapons. It became nitroglycerin smokeless powder. Another name for it is ballistitis. The basis of such smokeless gunpowder was also nitrocellulose. However, its amount in the explosive was reduced to 56-57 percent. In this case, liquid trinitroglycerin served as a plasticizer. Such gunpowder turned out to be very powerful, and it is worth saying that it still finds its use in missile forces and artillery.
Pyrocollodion powder
At the end of the 19th century. Mendeleev proposed his recipe for a smokeless explosive. A Russian scientist has found a way to obtain soluble nitrocellulose. He called it pyrocollodium. The resulting substance released maximum quantity gaseous products. Pyrocollodion powder has been successfully tested in guns of various calibers, which were carried out at a naval test site.
However, this is not the only contribution of Lomonosov to military affairs and the production of gunpowder. He made important improvements in the technology for producing explosives. The scientist proposed dehydrating nitrocellulose not by drying, but by using alcohol. This made gunpowder production safer. In addition, the quality of the nitro-fiber itself was improved, since less persistent products were washed out of it with the help of alcohol.
Modern use
Currently, gunpowder, which is based on nitrocellulose, is used in modern semi-automatic and automatic weapons. Unlike black powder, it leaves virtually no solid combustion products in gun barrels. This made it possible to carry out automatic recharge weapons when using a large number of moving mechanisms and parts.
Various varieties of smokeless powder are the main part of the propellant explosives used in small arms. They are so widespread that, as a rule, the word “gunpowder” implies smokeless. The substance, invented by ancient Chinese alchemists, is used only in flare guns, underbarrel grenade launchers and in some cartridges intended for shotguns.
As for the hunting environment, it is customary to use a pyroxylin variety of smokeless gunpowder. Only sometimes nitroglycerin types find their use, but they are not particularly popular.
Compound
What components does an explosive used in hunting consist of? The composition of smokeless powder has nothing to do with its smoky appearance. It mainly consists of pyroxylin. It is 91-96 percent in the explosive. In addition, hunting powder contains from 1.2 to 5% of volatile substances such as water, alcohol and ether. To increase stability during storage, 1 to 1.5 percent diphenylamine stabilizer is included. Phlegmatizers slow down the burning of the outer layers of powder grains. They range from 2 to 6 percent in smokeless hunting powder. A small part (0.2-0.3%) consists of flame retardant additives and graphite.
Form
Pyroxylin, used for the production of smokeless powder, is treated with an oxidizing agent, the basis of which is an alcohol-ether mixture. The end result is a homogeneous jelly-like substance. The resulting mixture is subjected to mechanical processing. The result is a granular structure of the substance, the color of which varies from yellow-brown to pure black. Sometimes within the same batch a different shade of gunpowder is possible. To give it a uniform color, the mixture is treated with powdered graphite. This process also makes it possible to level out the stickiness of grains.
Properties
Smokeless powder is distinguished by its ability to produce uniform gases and burn. This, in turn, when changing the size of the fraction allows for control and regulation of combustion processes.
Among the attractive properties of smokeless powder are the following:
Low hygroscopicity and insolubility in water;
- greater effect and purity than its smoky counterpart;
- preservation of properties even at high humidity;
- possibility of drying;
- absence of smoke after the shot, which is fired with a relatively quiet sound.
However, it is worth keeping in mind that white powder:
When fired, it emits carbon monoxide, which is dangerous to humans;
- reacts negatively to temperature changes;
- promotes faster wear of weapons due to the creation of high temperatures in the barrel;
- must be stored in sealed packaging due to the likelihood of weathering;
- has a limited shelf life;
- may be a fire hazard at high temperatures;
- not used in weapons whose passport indicates this.
The oldest Russian gunpowder
This explosive is used to equip hunting cartridges since 1937, Sokol gunpowder has a sufficiently high power that meets the developed world standards. It should be noted that the composition of this substance was changed in 1977. This was done due to the establishment of more stringent rules for this type of explosive elements.
Gunpowder "Falcon" is recommended for use by novice hunters who prefer to produce self-charging cartridges. After all, this substance can forgive them a mistake with the weight. Gunpowder "Falcon" is used by many domestic producers cartridges such as "Polyex", "Fetter", "Nitrogen" and others.
Man has made many discoveries that have great value in one area of life or another. However, very small quantity Such discoveries truly affected the course of history.
Gunpowder and its invention are precisely from this list of discoveries that contributed to the development of many areas of humanity.
Story
Background to the appearance of gunpowder
Scientists have debated for a long time about the time of its creation. Some argued that it was invented in Asian countries, while others, on the contrary, disagree and prove the opposite, that gunpowder was invented in Europe, and from there it came to Asia.
Everyone agrees that China is the birthplace of gunpowder.
The existing manuscripts speak of noisy holidays that were held in the Middle Kingdom with very loud explosions that were not familiar to Europeans. Of course, it was not gunpowder, but bamboo seeds, which burst with loud noise when heated. Such explosions made me think Tibetan monks O practical application things like that.
History of invention
Now it is no longer possible to determine with an accuracy of one year the time of the invention of gunpowder by the Chinese, however, according to manuscripts that have survived to this day, there is an opinion that in the middle of the 6th century, the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire also knew the composition of substances with the help of which fire with a bright flame could be obtained. The Taoist monks who advanced the furthest towards the invention of gunpowder were the Taoist monks, who eventually invented gunpowder.
Thanks to the found work of monks, which was dated back to the 9th century, which contains lists of all certain “elixirs” and how to use them.
Much attention was paid to the text, which indicated the prepared composition, which unexpectedly ignited right after production and caused burns to the monks.
If the fire was not put out immediately, the alchemist’s house would burn to the ground.
Thanks to such information, discussions about the place and time of the invention of gunpowder were ended. Well, I must say that after the invention of gunpowder, it only burned, but did not explode.
The first composition of gunpowder
The composition of gunpowder required an exact ratio of all components. It took the monks another year to determine all the shares and components. As a result, a mixture was obtained that received the name “fire potion.” The potion contained molecules of coal, sulfur and saltpeter. There is very little saltpeter in nature, with the exception of the territories of China, where saltpeter can be found directly on the surface of the earth in a layer of several centimeters.
Gunpowder components:
Peaceful uses of gunpowder in China
When gunpowder was first invented, it was mainly used in the form of various sound effects or for colorful “fireworks” during entertainment events. However, local sages understood that the combat use of gunpowder was also possible.
China in those distant times was constantly at war with the nomads around it, and the invention of gunpowder was in the hands of military commanders.
Gunpowder: First military use by the Chinese
There are manuscripts by Chinese monks that claim the use of a “fire potion” for military purposes. The Chinese military surrounded the nomads and lured them into a mountainous area, where gunpowder charges were pre-installed and set on fire after the enemy's campaign.
Strong explosions paralyzed the nomads, who fled in shame.
Having understood what gunpowder is and realizing its capabilities, the emperors of China supported the production of weapons using a fiery mixture, such as catapults, powder balls, and various projectiles. Thanks to the use of gunpowder, the troops of the Chinese commanders did not know defeat and put the enemy to flight everywhere.
Gunpowder leaves China: Arabs and Mongols begin to make gunpowder
According to information received, around the 13th century, information about the composition and proportions for the manufacture of gunpowder was obtained by the Arabs; there is no exact information about how this was done. According to one legend, the Arabs massacred all the monks of the monastery and received a treatise. In the same century, the Arabs were able to build a cannon that could fire gunpowder shells.
"Greek Fire": Byzantine Gunpowder
Further information from the Arabs about gunpowder and its composition in Byzantium. By slightly changing the composition qualitatively and quantitatively, a recipe was obtained, which was called “Greek fire”. The first tests of this mixture were not long in coming.
During the defense of the city, cannons loaded with Greek fire were used. As a result, all the ships were destroyed by fire. Accurate information about the composition of “Greek fire” has not reached our times, but presumably it was used - sulfur, oil, saltpeter, resin and oils.
Gunpowder in Europe: who invented it?
For a long time, Roger Bacon was considered the culprit behind the appearance of gunpowder in Europe. In the mid-thirteenth century, he became the first European to describe in a book all the recipes for making gunpowder. But the book was encrypted, and it was not possible to use it.
If you want to know who invented gunpowder in Europe, then the answer to your question is the story of Berthold Schwartz. He was a monk and practiced alchemy for the benefit of his Franciscan Order. At the beginning of the fourteenth century he worked to determine the proportions of the substance from coal, sulfur and saltpeter. After much experimentation, he managed to grind in a mortar necessary components in a proportion sufficient to cause an explosion.
The blast wave almost sent the monk to the next world.
The invention marked the beginning of the era firearms.
The first model of the “shooting mortar” was developed by the same Schwartz, for which he was sent to prison in order to not disclose the secret. But the monk was kidnapped and secretly transported to Germany, where he continued his experiments in improving firearms.
How the inquisitive monk ended his life is still unknown. According to one version, he was blown up on a barrel of gunpowder; according to another, he died safely at a very old age. Be that as it may, gunpowder gave the Europeans great opportunities, which they did not fail to take advantage of.
The appearance of gunpowder in Rus'
There is no exact answer about the origin of gunpowder in Rus'. There are many stories, but the most plausible is considered to be that the composition of the gunpowder was provided by the Byzantines. For the first time, gunpowder was used in a firearm when defending Moscow from a raid by the troops of the Golden Horde. Such a gun did not disable manpower the enemy, but it made it possible to frighten horses and sow panic in the ranks of the Golden Horde.
Smokeless powder recipe: who invented it?
Approaching more modern centuries, let's say that the 19th century is a time of improvement of gunpowder. One of the interesting improvements is the invention of pyroxylin powder, which has a solid structure, by the Frenchman Viel. Its first use was appreciated by representatives of the defense department.
The point is that the gunpowder burned without smoke, leaving no traces.
A little later, inventor Alfred Nobel announced the possibility of using nitroglycerin gunpowder in the production of projectiles. After these inventions, gunpowder was only improved and its characteristics improved.
Types of gunpowder
The following types of gunpowder are used in the classification:
- mixed(the so-called black powder (black powder));
- nitrocellulose(respectively, smokeless).
It may be a discovery for many, but solid rocket fuel used in spacecraft and rocket engines is nothing more than the most powerful gunpowder. Nitrocellulose powders consist of nitrocellulose and a plasticizer. In addition to these parts, various additives are mixed into the mixture.
The storage conditions of gunpowder are of great importance. If the gunpowder is found beyond the possible storage period or the technological storage conditions are not observed, irreversible chemical decomposition and deterioration of its properties are possible. Therefore, storage is of great importance in the life of gunpowder, otherwise an explosion may occur.
Black powder
Black powder is produced on the territory of the Russian Federation in accordance with the requirements of GOST-1028-79.
At the present time, the production of smoky or black powder is regulated and complies regulatory requirements and rules.
The types of gunpowder are divided into:
- grainy;
- powder powder.
Black powder consists of potassium nitrate, sulfur and charcoal.
- potassium nitrate oxidizes, allowing to burn at a rapid rate.
- charcoal is a fuel (which is oxidized by potassium nitrate).
- sulfur- a component that is necessary to ensure ignition. The requirements for the proportions of black powder grades are different in different countries, but the differences are not large.
The shape of granular grades of gunpowder after production resembles grain. Production consists of five stages:
- Grind to powder;
- Mixing;
- Pressed onto discs;
- Grain crushing occurs;
- The grains are polished.
The most the best varieties Gunpowder burns better if all components are completely crushed and thoroughly mixed, even the output shape of the granules is important. The combustion efficiency of black powder is largely related to the fineness of grinding of the components, the completeness of mixing and the shape of the finished grains.
Types of black powders (% composition KNO 3, S, C.):
- corded (for fire cords) (77%, 12%, 11%);
- rifle (for igniters for charges of nitrocellulose powders and mixed solid fuels, as well as for expelling charges in incendiary and lighting projectiles);
- coarse-grained (for igniters);
- slow-burning (for intensifiers and moderators in tubes and fuses);
- mine (for blasting) (75%, 10%, 15%);
- hunting (76%, 9%, 15%);
- sports.
When handling black powder, you must take precautions and keep the powder away from open source fire, since it ignites easily, a flash at a temperature of 290-300 °C is sufficient for this.
There are high requirements for packaging. It must be sealed and black powder must be stored separately from the rest. Very picky about moisture content. If the moisture content is more than 2.2%, this powder is very difficult to ignite.
Before the beginning of the 20th century, black powder was invented for use in firing weapons and in various throwing grenades. Now used in the production of fireworks.
Varieties of gunpowder
Aluminum grades of gunpowder have found their use in the pyrotechnic industry. The basis is potassium/sodium nitrate (needed as an oxidizer), aluminum powder (this is flammable) and sulfur, reduced to the state of powder and mixed together. Due to the large release of light during combustion and the speed of combustion, it is used in explosive elements and flash compositions (producing a flash).
Proportions (saltpeter: aluminum: sulfur):
- bright flash - 57:28:15;
- explosion - 50:25:25.
Gunpowder is not afraid of moisture and does not change its flowability, but it can get very dirty.
Classification of gunpowders
This is a smokeless powder that was developed in modern times. Unlike black powder, nitrocellulose has a high efficiency. And there is no smoke that the arrow can give off.
In turn, nitrocellulose powders, due to the complexity of their composition and wide application, can be divided into:
- pyroxylin;
- ballistic;
- cordite.
Smokeless powder is a powder that is used in modern types weapons, various demolition products. It is used as a detonator.
Pyroxylin
The composition of pyroxylin powders usually includes 91-96% pyroxylin, 1.2-5% volatile substances (alcohol, ether and water), 1.0-1.5% stabilizer (diphenylamine, centralite) to increase storage stability, 2- 6% phlegmatizer to slow down the combustion of the outer layers of powder grains and 0.2-0.3% graphite as additives.
Pyroxylin powders are produced in the form of plates, ribbons, rings, tubes and grains with one or more channels; The main uses are pistols, machine guns, cannons, and mortars.
The production of such gunpowder consists of the following stages:
- Dissolution (plasticization) of pyroxylin;
- Composition pressing;
- Cut from the mass with various forms gunpowder elements;
- Solvent removal.
Ballistic
Ballistic powders are gunpowders of artificial origin. The largest percentage has the following components:
- nitrocellulose;
- non-removable plasticizer.
Due to the presence of exactly 2 components, experts call this type of gunpowder 2-basic.
If there are changes in the percentage of gunpowder plasticizer content, they are divided into:
- nitroglycerin;
- diglycol.
The structure of the composition of ballistic powders is as follows:
- 40-60% colloxylin (nitrocellulose with a nitrogen content of less than 12.2%);
- 30-55% nitroglycerin (nitroglycerin powders) or diethylene glycol dinitrate (diglycol powders) or a mixture thereof;
Also included are various components that have a small percentage of content, but they are extremely important:
- dinitrotoluene– necessary to be able to control the combustion temperature;
- stabilizers(diphenylamine, centralite);
- Vaseline oil, camphor and other additives;
- also, finely dispersed metal can be introduced into ballistic powders(an alloy of aluminum and magnesium) to increase the temperature and energy of combustion products, such gunpowder is called metallized.
Continuous technological scheme production of powder mass of high-energy ballistic powders
1 – agitator; 2 – mass pump; 3 – volumetric pulse dispenser; 4 – bulk components dispenser; 5 – supply container; 6 – supply tank; 7 – gear pump; 8 – APR; 9 – injector;
10 – container; 11 – passivator; 12 – water repellent; 13 – solvent; 14 – mixer; 15 – intermediate mixer; 16 – mixer of common batches
The appearance of the manufactured gunpowder is in the form of tubes, checkers, plates, rings and ribbons. Gunpowder is used for military purposes, and according to their application they are divided:
- rocket(for charges for rocket engines and gas generators);
- artillery(for propellant charges for artillery pieces);
- mortar(for propelling charges for mortars).
Compared to pyroxylin powders, ballistic gunpowders are characterized by lower hygroscopicity, faster production, the ability to produce large charges (up to 0.8 meters in diameter), high mechanical strength and flexibility due to the use of a plasticizer.
The disadvantages of ballistic powders compared to pyroxylin powders include:
- Great danger in production due to the presence in their composition of a powerful explosive - nitroglycerin, which is very sensitive to external influences, as well as the inability to obtain charges with a diameter greater than 0.8 m, in contrast to mixed gunpowders based on synthetic polymers;
- Complexity technological process production ballistic powders, which involves mixing components in warm water in order to distribute them evenly, squeeze out the water and repeatedly roll on hot rollers. This removes water and plasticizes the cellulose nitrate, which takes on the appearance of a horn-like sheet. Next, the gunpowder is pressed through dies or rolled into thin sheets and cut.
Cordite
Cordite powders contain high-nitrogen pyroxylin, a removable (alcohol-ether mixture, acetone) and non-removable (nitroglycerin) plasticizer. This brings the production technology of these gunpowders closer to the production of pyroxylin gunpowder.
The advantage of cordites is high power, however, they cause increased burning of the trunks due to the higher temperature of the combustion products.
Solid rocket fuel
Synthetic polymer blend powder (solid rocket fuel) contains approximately:
- 50-60% oxidizing agent, usually ammonium perchlorate;
- 10-20% plasticized polymer binder;
- 10-20% fine aluminum powder and other additives.
This direction of powder making first appeared in Germany in the 30-40s of the 20th century; after the end of the war, the active development of such fuels began in the USA, and in the early 50s - in the USSR. The main advantages over ballistic gunpowder that attracted them to great attention, appeared:
- high specific thrust of rocket engines using such fuel;
- the ability to create charges of any shape and size;
- high deformation and mechanical properties of the compositions;
- the ability to regulate the burning rate over a wide range.
These properties of gunpowder made it possible to create strategic missiles with a range of more than 10,000 km. Using ballistic gunpowder, S.P. Korolev, together with gunpowder makers, managed to create a rocket with a maximum range of 2,000 km.
But mixed solid fuels have significant disadvantages compared to nitrocellulose powders: the very high cost of their production, the duration of the charge production cycle (up to several months), the complexity of disposal, the release of hydrochloric acid into the atmosphere during the combustion of ammonium perchlorate.
The new gunpowder is solid rocket fuel.
Powder combustion and its regulation
Combustion in parallel layers, which does not turn into an explosion, is caused by the transfer of heat from layer to layer and is achieved by manufacturing fairly monolithic powder elements, free of cracks.
The burning rate of gunpowder depends on pressure according to a power law, increasing with increasing pressure, so you should not rely on the burning rate of gunpowder at atmospheric pressure, evaluating its characteristics.
Regulation of the burning rate of powders is very difficult task and is solved by using various combustion catalysts in the composition of gunpowders. Combustion in parallel layers allows you to regulate the rate of gas formation.
The gas formation of gunpowder depends on the size of the surface of the charge and its burning rate.
The surface area of the powder elements is determined by their shape, geometric dimensions and can increase or decrease during the combustion process. Such combustion is called progressive or digressive, respectively.
To receive constant speed gas formation or its change according to a certain law, individual sections of charges (for example, missiles) are covered with a layer of non-combustible materials (armor).
The burning rate of gunpowder depends on its composition, initial temperature and pressure.
Characteristics of gunpowder
The characteristics of gunpowder are based on parameters such as:
- heat of combustion Q- the amount of heat released during complete combustion of 1 kilogram of gunpowder;
- volume of gaseous products V released during the combustion of 1 kilogram of gunpowder (determined after bringing the gases to normal conditions);
- gas temperature T, determined by combustion of gunpowder under conditions of constant volume and absence of heat losses;
- powder density ρ;
- gunpowder strength f- the work that could be done by 1 kilogram of powder gases, expanding when heated by T degrees at normal atmospheric pressure.
Characteristics of nitro powders
Non-military use
The ultimate main purpose of gunpowder is military purposes and use for the destruction of enemy targets. However, the composition of Sokol gunpowder allows its use for peaceful purposes, such as fireworks, construction tools (construction pistols, punches), and in the field of pyrotechnics - squibs. The characteristics of Bars gunpowder are more suitable for use in sports shooting.
(5
ratings, average: 5,00
out of 5)
Black powder or black powder is a mixture of three substances: sulfur, coal and potassium nitrate in a ratio of 2:3:15. The mixture was initially obtained by crushing it in a special container.
Was gunpowder invented by the Chinese?
If you try to find the exact date of the invention of gunpowder, you are unlikely to succeed. Some sources say that gunpowder was known to the ancient Indians as early as one and a half thousand years BC, others say that gunpowder was known to the Chinese at the beginning of the first century AD. Many historians agree that the Chinese were the first to invent gunpowder. True, they did not use it for military purposes. Saltpeter was used in medicine. It was mixed with other substances (for example, honey) and set on fire, producing “healing” smoke. The Chinese also used gunpowder as entertainment during festivals. The well-known fireworks first appeared in China, and then spread to Europe. The Chinese filled a piece of bamboo with gunpowder and set it on fire, pointing the stick at the sky. There are also references to gunpowder as a weapon - these were bombs “pi li huo qiu” (translated from Chinese as “fireball with the sound of thunder”). They were put into catapults and thrown at the enemy.
But the Chinese and Arabs were never able to figure out how to use the power of gas to launch projectiles. It was the Europeans who did this first. Everywhere you can find one legend that Berthold Schwartz accidentally ground a mixture of gunpowder in a mortar, and a random spark got there and caused an explosion in the monk’s cell. True, there is no reliable information about Schwartz, but still, it was the monks who were the first to accurately describe gunpowder, namely great inventor Middle Ages - Roger Bacon. He would definitely write down the recipe for gunpowder, but would not dare to show it further than the monastic order, because it was believed that such dangerous things should be hidden from the eyes of uneducated people.
However, the secret of gunpowder was soon revealed and used as a weapon for the first time.
Gunpowder as a weapon
August 26, 1346. After months of fighting for the French crown, the English king Edward III and his weary army reached the village of Crecy in northern France. For a millennium, horsemen dominated the battlefields. There were few Englishmen, but they were inspired by faith in their own weapons - longbows. Fighting for many years with the Scots and Welsh, Edward appreciated the quality of this powerful weapons. At dawn English wars began to strengthen their positions at Crecy, the pits were supposed to become traps for the French cavalry. At the approaches to the battle formations, stakes were driven into the ground that could pierce a horse. However, first of all, the British pinned their hopes on their main trump card - the longbow. As tall as a man, it was made of yew; to pull the bowstring it was necessary to apply a force of 45 kilograms, and the arrows hit the enemy up to 200 meters. It was more difficult to string a bow than a crossbow, but it was much faster to shoot. While the English archers were preparing to meet the enemy, Edward arrived on the battlefield along with the knights, but now the English cavalry had to fight on foot. Edward ordered the knights to dismount and take up position among the archers, forming a wedge-shaped formation called the furrow. “England and St. George! England and St. George! - the soldiers chanted.
The French had no doubt about victory, because their army was three times larger than the British. They countered the English bows with powerful crossbows. The French king Philip brought with him 6 thousand Genoese mercenaries. Armed with crossbows, they descended the hill and moved towards the British battle formations.
Modern historian Geoffrey Baker describes the battle this way:
The French rushed towards the British first. The crossbowmen walked towards them to the sound of trumpets, kettledrums and a piercing howl that filled the area with a thunderous cry.
However, the crossbowmen's arrows did not reach the British. The British stood out of reach of the Genoese crossbows. While the arrows of long English bows were quite enough to reach the crossbowmen. The archers took a step forward and began to shoot arrows with such speed that they fell like snow. Throwing down their weapons, the Genoese fled. This sight outraged the French king so much that he ordered his knights to attack the enemy on horseback. The knights rushed forward through the disorganized ranks of retreating crossbowmen. The ground on the battlefield was wet after recent rain. Soon the French battle formations turned into a shapeless and mud-stained heap of people in heavy equipment and horses, showered with a hail of arrows from the British. The French were in confusion, and only a few knights, seized by a furious impulse, managed to get close to the British. Here the axes, spears and swords of the British were already waiting for them. A lot of French died without receiving a single wound; they were simply crushed in the crowd. After 16 fruitless attacks, the French retreated, suffering a crushing defeat. The British maintained their battle formation until the next morning.
At dawn, Edward's ambassadors discovered 542 bodies of French nobles and knights, as well as 20 thousand dead soldiers and horses. The British lost 2 knights and 18 infantry. The British victory at Crecy stunned Europe. Their tactics, which relied on the power of longbows, came as a complete surprise to the Europeans. For the infantrymen it was advancing new era, horsemen were destined to appear on the battlefields for several more centuries, but they would no longer decide the outcome of the battle. The era of knightly cavalry came to an end, but on the battlefield at Crecy the sound of not only the English was heard, Edward placed several bombards in position. These were small, primitive cannons that fired stones. Bombards were inaccurate weapons and mainly only frightened the French horses with their roar. However, it was their cannonade that heralded the beginning of a revolution that was to change the world forever, as well as the way of warfare - the appearance of gunpowder.
Subsequently, gunpowder in military affairs began to be used more and more often and as new technology returns to the east. For example, he was able to use extremely successfully a new type of weapon Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II "The Conqueror". He used technology suggested to him by Urban, a Hungarian engineer.
Turkish cannon made using the same technology
Mehmed developed a plan for the siege of the city. He installed a cannon opposite the main gate of the city. On April 12, 1453, she finally “spoke.” The powerful walls that had protected Christianity for centuries collapsed within weeks. This super-cannon of Mehmed managed to change the course of history, but such a weapon turned out to be not very convenient for waging a siege. It required 60 oxen and 200 men to transport it; it took at least an hour to load the weapon into position. The recoil was so great that a new shot could only be fired 3 hours after the previous one.
Further development of this technology in the military leads to the appearance of a huge number of rifles, cannons, mortars and other weapons. But this type gunpowder was not yet perfect enough for military purposes for many reasons. One of the main reasons is the release of a large amount of smoke, which during shooting indicated the shooter’s position, but at the same time interfered with aimed fire. Secondly, black powder is extremely sensitive to fire. Many cases are described when barrels of gunpowder exploded right in warehouses due to various kinds of little things (a small spark or just a blow metal object). All this and much more made me think about how to make gunpowder smokeless.
How gunpowder was invented in Russia
At first, smoky black gunpowder was used for shooting in the form of pulpy powder-like gunpowder; the very word “gunpowder” or “dust” means dust. It was difficult to use such powder pulp because it stuck to the walls of the guns. As a result of thinking about this problem, it was decided to make gunpowder in the form of lumps, which made it easier to load the guns, and thus obtain a significantly larger volume of gas when ignited. Somewhere in the mid-15th century we began to use green gunpowder. It could be obtained by rolling gunpowder pulp into dough along with alcohol and other impurities, then passing the dough through a special sieve. Development domestic production gunpowder received a significant surge during the reign of Ivan the Terrible, as well as Peter I. Under Peter the Great, three gunpowder factories were built at once: St. Petersburg, Sestroretsk, and Okhtinsky.
The study of gunpowder in Russia was carried out by Lomonosov, who made theoretical calculations, as well as a number of experiments on black gunpowder. Later, his findings were used by French scientists, who obtained the most successful mixture composition, which is described at the beginning of the article: 75% potassium nitrate, 10% sulfur and 15% coal.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Russian gunpowder began to be considered one of the highest quality in the world, but, as is known, black gunpowder had significant disadvantages, such as clogging of the gun barrel as a result of the adhesion of gunpowder particles, as well as huge amount smoke when firing. Another significant drawback was the formation of sulfur compounds, even sulfurous acid, which corroded the metal parts of the weapon.
TO end of the 19th century century, white gunpowder was invented, later called smokeless, based on nitrocellulose. This gunpowder burned in layers, which improved the ballistic properties of the projectiles. White powder, when burned, produced much smaller quantity smoke, which made a big breakthrough in the development of artillery.
In 1884, pyroxylin gunpowder was invented in France, which proved to be more powerful than black powder, but more unpredictable, so it was used only in small guns.
In 1887, Alfred Nobel invents ballistic gunpowder. In England, in 1889, cordite gunpowder was created, based on Nobel's ballistic gunpowder. The new substances were more powerful, but also more stable than white powder or gunpowder.
In 1891, Dmitry Ivanovich Mendeleev created pyro-collodion gunpowder and a year later began testing it for military purposes. As a result, it is adopted into service. D.I. Mendeleev extremely scrupulously compares his invention with other types of gunpowder in his works and notes its advantages: stability of composition, homogeneity, absence of “traces of detonation”.
It was in the USSR that the first rocket systems were created volley fire. We have successfully used for charges jet systems ballistic gunpowder, and in the late 1940s they created mixed types of gunpowder that were used in rocket engines.
Nothing stands still, because more and more new types of weapons are being created, and no one is in a hurry to give up war, which means gunpowder will be in demand and work for a long time...
You can also watch a documentary about gunpowder:
is a solid explosive mixture of crushed pieces of coal, sulfur and saltpeter. When the mixture is heated, sulfur ignites first (at 250 degrees), then it ignites the saltpeter. At a temperature of about 300 degrees, saltpeter begins to release oxygen, due to which the process of oxidation and combustion of substances mixed with it occurs. Coal is a fuel that delivers large amounts of high temperature gases. Gases begin to expand with enormous power V different sides, creating a lot of pressure and creating an explosive effect.
The Chinese were the first to invent gunpowder. There are assumptions that they and the Hindus discovered gunpowder 1.5 thousand years before the birth of Christ. The main component of gunpowder is saltpeter, which was abundant in ancient China. In areas rich in alkalis, it was found in its native form and looked like flakes of fallen snow. Saltpeter was often used instead of salt. When burning saltpeter with coal, the Chinese could often observe flashes. The Chinese physician Tao Hung-ching, who lived at the end of the 5th - beginning of the 6th centuries, first described the properties of saltpeter and it began to be used as remedy. Alchemists often used saltpeter in their experiments.
One of the first examples of gunpowder was invented by the Chinese alchemist Sun Sy-miao in the 7th century. Having prepared a mixture of saltpeter, sulfur and locus wood and heated it in a crucible, he received an unexpectedly strong flash of flame. The resulting gunpowder did not yet have a great explosive effect, then its composition was improved by other alchemists who established its main components: potassium nitrate, sulfur and coal. For several centuries, gunpowder was used for incendiary projectiles, called “ho pao,” which translates as “fireball.” The throwing machine threw an ignited projectile, which, when exploding, scattered burning particles. The Chinese invented firecrackers and fireworks. A bamboo stick filled with gunpowder was set on fire and launched into the sky. Later, when the quality of gunpowder improved, it began to be used as an explosive in land mines and hand grenades, but for a long time they could not figure out how to use the power of gases generated by the combustion of gunpowder to throw cannonballs and bullets.
From China, the secret of making gunpowder came to the Arabs and Mongols. Already at the beginning of the 13th century, the Arabs, who had achieved the highest skill in pyrotechnics, staged fireworks of amazing beauty. From the Arabs, the secret of making gunpowder came to Byzantium, and then to the rest of Europe. Already in 1220, the European alchemist Mark the Greek wrote down the recipe for gunpowder in his treatise. Later Roger Bacon would write quite accurately about the composition of gunpowder; he was the first to mention gunpowder in scientific sources Europe. However, another 100 years passed until the recipe for gunpowder ceased to be a secret.
Legend connects the secondary discovery of gunpowder with the name of the monk Berthold Schwartz. In 1320, an alchemist, while conducting experiments, allegedly accidentally made a mixture of saltpeter, coal and sulfur and began to pound it in a mortar, and a spark flying out of the fireplace, hitting the mortar, led to an explosion, which was the discovery of gunpowder. Berthold Schwarz is credited with the idea of using powder gases to throw stones and inventing one of the first in Europe artillery pieces. However, the story with the monk is most likely just a legend.
In the middle of the 14th century, cylindrical barrels appeared, from which they fired bullets and cannonballs. Weapons were divided into handguns and artillery. At the end of the 14th century, trunks were forged from large caliber, designed for firing stone cannonballs. And the largest cannons, called bombards, were cast from bronze.
Despite the fact that gunpowder was invented in Europe much later, it was the Europeans who were able to derive the greatest benefit from this discovery. The consequence of the spread of gunpowder was not only the rapid development of military affairs, but also progress in many other areas human knowledge and in such areas of human activity as mining, industry, mechanical engineering, chemistry, ballistics and much more. Today this discovery is used in rocket technology, where gunpowder is used as fuel. It is safe to say that the invention of gunpowder is the most important achievement of mankind.
Historical justice requires us to say that gunpowder was invented in China. The name of the person who first composed the explosive mixture will forever remain a mystery. The fact is that the first texts that mention gunpowder and recipes for its preparation are anonymous.
Wikimedia Commons/Andshel()
The main component of gunpowder - saltpeter - was known in ancient times and was described in a Taoist treatise of 492 AD. However, it was not gunpowder yet. The first mention of a composition that actually resembled gunpowder dates back to the 9th century.
It was then that Chinese monks practicing medicine accidentally created a mixture that could explode, creating smoke and flames. Even the Chinese word for “gunpowder” is translated as “flame of medicine.”
Having discovered the main properties of the powder - the ability to explode, smoke, set fire to everything around - enterprising Chinese began to come up with ways to use it. Of course, weapons were created, as well as the favorite Chinese pastime - pyrotechnics. An 11th century military treatise describes recipes for making gunpowder, methods for making explosive weapons (bombs and rockets) and fireworks.
The Chinese put less saltpeter in pyrotechnic gunpowder, so it did not explode, but burned, producing a lot of bright flames.
Gunpowder: the path from East to West
Despite the fact that historical science attributes the invention of gunpowder to the Chinese, no one knows how destructive their weapons were.
At that time, there was no technology yet that made it possible to obtain high-quality purified saltpeter and coal, which are the components of real gunpowder used in firearms.
Their production became possible only with the achievements of European chemical science, that is, not earlier than the 17th century. However, it is believed that Chinese gunpowder spread throughout the Middle East and further into Europe. The spread of the destructive mixture was facilitated by the Mongol and Arab conquests.
For many centuries, the Chinese kept secret the recipe for making gunpowder and mass production the mixture did not exist in other parts of the world.
The European inventor of gunpowder is considered to be a man of a peaceful profession - monk Berthold Schwartz. He lived in the 14th century and practiced alchemy. Like many other discoveries, gunpowder is a by-product of the search philosopher's stone. There is a legend according to which Schwartz was accused of witchcraft and sentenced to prison for his experiments.
In prison, he did not abandon his research, experimented with various mixtures and accidentally came across a composition that exploded. This happened in the thirties of the 14th century - this period is considered to be the time of the discovery of gunpowder in Europe.
It is interesting that the figure of Berthold Schwartz acquired a mysterious and even sinister aura over time; he became a character in many literary works. And this is no coincidence, because only with the invention of gunpowder did it become possible rapid development firearms, which revolutionized warfare and had enormous consequences for the entire history of mankind.
Using gunpowder, the ancient Chinese made low-power bombs and prototypes of modern grenades, while Europeans quickly created guns and large artillery destructive force.
Modern history of gunpowder
Since the invention of gunpowder by a Franciscan monk, the recipe for the explosive mixture has been constantly improved. In our quest to create more and more lethal weapon people invented new types of gunpowder. The main breakthroughs in this industry occurred at the end of the 19th – beginning of the 20th century.
It was then that smokeless powder and the most important type of gunpowder - solid rocket fuel - were created. The developers pursued the main goals: to increase the explosive power of gunpowder, create more compact mixtures, make it more suitable for storage, and get rid of smoke that impedes visibility.
Wikimedia Commons/Lord Mountbatten ()
Known today various types smokeless powder, solid rocket fuel, aluminum powder used in pyrotechnics, and other types of gunpowder. As was the case centuries ago, gunpowder is primarily used to make weapons, but there are other, more peaceful uses. It's sporty and hunting weapon, astronautics, pyrotechnics production.