Quote -
"Nitrocellulose, also known as cellulose nitrate, is a compound derived from cellulose through a process called nitration, which involves treating cellulose with
nitric acid or a mixture of nitric acid with other acids like sulfuric and
hydrochloric acid. Cellulose, obtained from purified sources such as cotton linters or wood pulp, serves as the precursor for nitrocellulose production. One of the defining characteristics of nitrocellulose is its highly flammable nature, making it a valuable component in various applications requiring explosive or combustible properties. It finds extensive use in rockets,
propellants, explosives, and other pyrotechnic applications due to its rapid combustion and energy release properties."
"The properties of nitrocellulose can vary based on several factors including the source of cellulose, the duration of the nitration reaction, and the ratio of acid to cellulose used during the process. These variations in manufacturing parameters yield nitrocellulose with differing characteristics suited for specific applications. Apart from its role in explosives and pyrotechnics, the nitrocellulose market also finds utility in other fields. It can be employed in the production of plastic films, where its film-forming properties are beneficial, and in printing inks, where it serves as a binder and provides adhesion to surfaces. "
Cellulose sources like wood pulp & cotton are real cheap. Nitric acid is also real cheap & used for a great variety of industrial applications. Other components like burn rate deterents & stabilizers are added in tiny amounts of less than 5%. Double base powders contain nitroglycerine & nitrocellulose. Nitroglycerine has a variety of uses like heart meds & explosives used for mining & other. Nitroglycerine has been around for about 150 years.
Making smokeless powders is not "Rocket Science". Some notable disasters have happened when making extruded smokeless powders - massive death & destruction when 20 tons or so goes up in a big blast during the drying stage. Busted windows about 1 mile from blast. This happened during & after WWI. No extruded powders are made in the USA.
My guess is that manufactured stocks of nitrocellulose and non med nitroglycerine are being diverted for military ordinance/weapon production.
IMR 4350 does not contain plutonium. Get used to ball powders & develop loads using it.
