DIFFRENT TYPES OF GUN POWDER AND THEIR BURNING RATES

 

Different Types of Gun Powders and their Burning Rates

Hi guys! Thanks for tuning here in to another blog about the powders burning rate.

Let us see about what is gun powder and their burning rates,

Gun powder or smokeless powder, comes in various shapes, each designed to influence the burn rate and performance characteristics in firearms. Here are the most common types of gun powder shapes. The different shapes are designed to control the surface area exposed during combustion, which in turn affects the speed and consistency of the burn. Here are the main shapes of gunpowder and explanations of why they have different burning rates:

Note: The burning rate is proportional to the surface area, Greater surface area gives high burning rate and less surface area gives less burning rate.

Surface area: It is the total amount of space covering the outside of a three-dimensional object. It is like the amount of paint you would need to completely cover the surface of an object.

For example: If you have a box, the surface area would be the total area of all six sides added together.

1.     Flake Powder:

·       Shape: Thin, flat flakes resembling tiny discs.

·       Burning Rate: Fast

·       Reason: The flat shape provides a large surface area relative to the mass, allowing more of the powder to be exposed to ignition at once. This results in a quick burn, making it suitable for applications requiring rapid pressure buildup, such as in shot gun shells and some handgun cartridges.

 

2.     Ball Powder or Spherical Powder:

·       Shape: Small, spherical granules, sometimes slightly flattened.

·       Burning Rate: Moderate.

·       Reason: The spherical shape has a smaller surface area relative to its volume compared to flakes, resulting in a slower and more controlled burn. This shape also allows for consistent metering during reloading, making it popular in a wide range of ammunition, including rifle and pistol cartridges.

3.     Stick Powder or Extruded Powder:

·       Shape: Cylindrical rods or sticks, often resembling tiny spaghetti noodles.

·       Burning Rate: Variable generally slower than flake and ball powders.

·       Reason: The cylindrical shape and relatively large size provide a slower and more progressive burn. The burn rate can be controlled further by the length and diameter of the sticks. This type is preferred in rifle cartridges, where a steadier pressure curve and slower burn are beneficial for accuracy and consistency.

 

4.     Tubular Powder:

·       Shape: Similar to stick powder but with a hollow center.

·       Burning Rate: Variable.

·       Reason: The hollow center increases the surface area without significantly increasing the mass, allowing for a faster burn than solid stick powder of the same external dimensions. The tubular shape can be engineered to fine tune the burn characteristics for specific applications.

 

5.     Perforated Powder:

·       Shape: Particles with small holes or perforations.

·       Burning Rate: Fast and moderate.

·       Reason: The perforations increase the surface area exposed during combustion, speeding up the burn rate. The design can be adjusted by changing the size and number of perforations to achieve the desired burn characteristics.

 

6.     Lamellated Powder:

·       Shape: Irregular, flat pieces with varying thickness.

·       Burning Rate: Moderate to fast.

·       Reason: The irregular shape can provide varying surface area exposure, affecting the burn rate. This type of powder can be engineered for specific performance characteristics, such as reducing fouling or controlling pressure spikes.

How Larger Surface Area Leads to More Oxygen Exposure:

a)     Increased Contact Points: With a larger surface area, there are more points where oxygen molecules can come in to contact with the material. This is particularly important in combustion reactions, like with gun powder, where oxygen is needed to fuel the reaction.

b)    Faster Reaction Rates: In chemical reactions, including combustion, the rate of the reaction often depends on the amount of reactant that is exposed. More surface area means more molecules are exposed to react, leading to faster reactions.

c)     Efficiency in Reactions: For a substance to combust or react with oxygen, the oxygen molecules must collide with the material. A larger surface area provides more opportunities for these collisions, making the reaction more efficient.

Why This Happens?

The burning rate depends on how quickly the material can react with oxygen. In combustion, oxygen must come into contact with the fuel to sustain the reaction. A large surface area increases the availability of oxygen to the fuel, enhancing the reaction rate. Conversely, a smaller surface area restricts this interaction, slowing down the process.