Brown powder
Encyclopedia
Brown powder or prismatic powder, sometimes referred as "cocoa powder" due to its color, is an explosive agent similar to black powder, but with a slower (and therefore gentler) burning rate. This difference is achieved by incorporating fuel ingredients that are in a less-reactive state; the pulverized and fully processed charcoal
(elemental carbon) in black powder provides its distinctive color while its replacement with a different substance produces a more reflective powder, hence its own namesake color. Further modifications of burn rate are made possible by shaping the individual powder grains, often into prismatic shapes such as single-perforated hexagonal or octagonal prisms.
Prismatic powder was introduced in the 1850s by US Army Major Thomas Rodman. By 1880 naval guns were using "powder" made of prisms one inch in height. Very large grain powered was dangerous however due to occasional pressure irregularities as demonstrated in the 1880 accident on the Italian ironclad Caio Duilio
(which used Fossano powder). In 1884 the German Rottweil
Company developed Prismatic Brown Powder (PBC), which was adopted by the Royal Navy in 1884. The French navy instead developed the Slow Burning Cocoa (SBC) powder, which had grains of about 3.1 millimeters; still only 40% of it burned, the rest was ejected as heavy black smoke. All these were rendered obsolete in 1886 when the first smokeless propellant, the guncotton-based Poudre B
was developed, triggering rapid development of other smokeless compounds. Some Royal Navy ships like the Royal Sovereign class battleship
s were commissioned with the already obsolete SBC-based guns, but the subsequent Majestic
and Canopus class battleship
s were the first to adopt cordite
Mk I.
For pure explosive damage, high burn rates or detonation speeds (and accompanying brisance
) are generally preferable, but in guns and especially cannons, slower-burning powder decreases firing stresses. This allows for lighter, longer (and more accurate) barrels with associated decreases in production and maintenance costs.
Charcoal
Charcoal is the dark grey residue consisting of carbon, and any remaining ash, obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. Charcoal is usually produced by slow pyrolysis, the heating of wood or other substances in the absence of oxygen...
(elemental carbon) in black powder provides its distinctive color while its replacement with a different substance produces a more reflective powder, hence its own namesake color. Further modifications of burn rate are made possible by shaping the individual powder grains, often into prismatic shapes such as single-perforated hexagonal or octagonal prisms.
Prismatic powder was introduced in the 1850s by US Army Major Thomas Rodman. By 1880 naval guns were using "powder" made of prisms one inch in height. Very large grain powered was dangerous however due to occasional pressure irregularities as demonstrated in the 1880 accident on the Italian ironclad Caio Duilio
Italian ironclad Caio Duilio
Caio Duilio was the lead ship in a class of two ironclad battleships built in Italy for the Regia Marina in the 1870s. A revolutionary design fitted with the largest guns available, 100-ton 450 mm calibre muzzle-loading guns, she and her sister ship were regarded as the most powerful warships...
(which used Fossano powder). In 1884 the German Rottweil
Rottweil
Rottweil is a town in the south west of Germany and is the oldest town in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg.Located between the Black Forest and the Swabian Alb hills, Rottweil has about 25,000 inhabitants...
Company developed Prismatic Brown Powder (PBC), which was adopted by the Royal Navy in 1884. The French navy instead developed the Slow Burning Cocoa (SBC) powder, which had grains of about 3.1 millimeters; still only 40% of it burned, the rest was ejected as heavy black smoke. All these were rendered obsolete in 1886 when the first smokeless propellant, the guncotton-based Poudre B
Poudre B
Poudre B : was the first practical smokeless gunpowder. Originally called "Poudre V" from the name of the inventor, Paul Vieille, it was later renamed "Poudre B" to distract German espionage...
was developed, triggering rapid development of other smokeless compounds. Some Royal Navy ships like the Royal Sovereign class battleship
Royal Sovereign class battleship
The Royal Sovereign class was a class of pre-dreadnought battleships of the British Royal Navy. The class comprised seven ships built to the same design: HMS Royal Sovereign, , HMS Ramilles, HMS Repulse, HMS Resolution, HMS Revenge, and HMS Royal Oak, and a half-sister built to a modified design: ....
s were commissioned with the already obsolete SBC-based guns, but the subsequent Majestic
Majestic class battleship
The Majestic class was a class of pre-dreadnought battleships, built under the Spencer Programme of 8 December 1893, that sought to counter the growing naval strength of France and the Russian Empire...
and Canopus class battleship
Canopus class battleship
The Canopus class was a group of six pre-dreadnought battleships of the Royal Navy which were designed by Sir William White for use in the Far East and entered service between 1899 and 1902. The lead ship was which was followed by , , , and...
s were the first to adopt cordite
Cordite
Cordite is a family of smokeless propellants developed and produced in the United Kingdom from 1889 to replace gunpowder as a military propellant. Like gunpowder, cordite is classified as a low explosive because of its slow burning rates and consequently low brisance...
Mk I.
For pure explosive damage, high burn rates or detonation speeds (and accompanying brisance
Brisance
Brisance is the shattering capability of an explosive. It is a measure of the rapidity with which an explosive develops its maximum pressure. The term originates from the French verb "briser", which means to break or shatter...
) are generally preferable, but in guns and especially cannons, slower-burning powder decreases firing stresses. This allows for lighter, longer (and more accurate) barrels with associated decreases in production and maintenance costs.