ABSTRACT
Gunpowder is presumed to be the oldest pyrotechnic composition, which has found wide applications as propelling charge, as buster charges, as delays, etc. It has several formulations and grain sizes that yield various effects. It has found application in variety of safety fuses. Safety fuses are used for conveying flame from one end to other at specified speed. This chapter provides the role of gunpowder, gunpowder composition, gunpowder manufacture, grades of gunpowder, properties of gunpowder, advantages and disadvantages of gunpowder, gunpowder combustion products, loading density and humidity effect, sulphur-free gunpowder, matches and safety fuses. References are provided at the end of the chapter.
