Evolution of Medieval Gunpowder: Thermodynamic and Combustion Analysis.

ABSTRACT: Medieval gunpowder recipes of potassium nitrate (KNO₃), charcoal (C), and sulfur (S₈) were investigated by bomb calorimetry to determine their enthalpies of combustion and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to determine their pre-ignition and propagative ignition enthalpies. Various sample preparation methods and several additional ingredients were also tested to determine any effects on the thermodynamic values. Gunpowder recipes were prepared and used in a replica cannon that was manufactured and operated according to medieval records. Post-firing residues were collected from the bomb calorimeter and the cannon in efforts to further characterize recipe energetics using DSC. In general, during the period of 1338-1400, the %KNO₃ increased, and heats

SUBMITTER: Ritchie TS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8427773 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature