Nitrocellulose PDF
Nitrocellulose PDF
Nitrocellulose PDF
A propellant is a material
that produces pressurized gas
that fills the interior of an
ammunition cartridge or the
chamber of a gun or cannon,
leading to the expulsion of a
bullet or shell (gunpowder,
smokeless powder, and large
gun propellants).
Rockets also use propellants
for their motion.
Introduction
• Nitrocellulose is obtained from cellulose and
nitric acid. All given sample of cellulose
contains a wide distribution of molecules, all
having the empirical formula of
[C6H7O2(OH)3]n
• Cellulose nitrate (nitrocellulose) is a nitric
acid ester used in explosives as a propellant. It
is also known as guncotton or nitro cotton.
Pure Cellulose Nitrate is yellowish white cotton-like filaments
Uses
Cellulose nitrate has to be the most important
ingredient in the explosives field. It is the basis
for most propellants, rocket propellants and the
foundation for countless commercial blasting
explosives.
Chemical Reaction
C6H7O2(OH)3 + 3HNO3
C6H7O2(NO3)3 + 3H2O
Sources of Cellulose