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Old March 2, 2008, 02:36 PM   #13
mykeal
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Join Date: October 8, 2006
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 2,772
From the NOAA data sheet:
Quote:
Reactivity Profile
Black powder is usually composed of a reduced material charcoal/sulfur and an oxidizer either, potassium or sodium nitrate. These materials are physically mixed together. Black powder is sensitive to impact, friction, and sparks and generally burns as an explosive deflagration. Under certain conditions has been known to detonate. (NOAA REACTIVITY, 2007)
This is an incorrect statement, despite the 'Federal agency' authority. Black powder reacts to heat, nothing more, nothing less. It may ignite under impact, friction or sparks but only insofar as those environments serve to provide heat at or above the ignition temperature.

I would not attempt to test the impact theory with a hammer unless you had a very small sample or adequate protection was available, as the impact might generate heat, depending on the material properties of the hammer and the surface the powder was placed on.
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