guncotton
Nitrated plant fiber
Guncotton is nitrocellulose, a highly flammable explosive made by treating cotton fibers with nitric and sulfuric acids.
Developed in the 1840s, it burns rapidly without smoke and was used as a propellant and in early photographic film.
The name reflects its origin: cotton chemically transformed into an explosive.
Acid-treated cellulose compound
- detonationExplosive ignition event
- blastingExplosive material removal
- flash paperQuick-burning stage prop
- celluloidTransparent flammable synthetic material
collodion · ignition · volatile · unstable · flammable · combustible · nitration · cellulose
Low-residue ballistic charge
- corditeSmokeless firearm propellant
- cartridgeSealed container for supplies
- ammunitionWeapon projectiles and charges
- chargeCost or accusation
combustion · muzzle velocity · firearm · rifle · artillery shell · ballistic · discharge · primer
nitrocellulose
Acid-treated cellulose compound
- detonationExplosive ignition event
- blastingExplosive material removal
- flash paperQuick-burning stage prop
celluloid · collodion · ignition · volatile · unstable · flammable · combustible · nitration · cellulose · sulfuric acid
smokeless powder
Low-residue ballistic charge
- corditeSmokeless firearm propellant
- cartridgeSealed container for supplies
- ammunitionWeapon projectiles and charges
charge · combustion · muzzle velocity · firearm · rifle · artillery shell · ballistic · discharge · primer · casing
explosive charge
Primed quantity for detonation
demolition · ordnance · military · warfare · naval · blasting cap · detonator · bomb · armament · weapon
- nitrate explosivesnitroglycerin
- nitratesnitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, silver nitrate
- nitro compoundsnitrobenzene, nitromethane, trinitrotoluene, TNT
guncottonblack powder
Original firearm propellant
gunpowder · charcoal powder · charcoal · slow match · saltpeter