What are the chemical components of black powder?
The classical answer is very old: Saltpeter, charcoal, sulfur. In reality there are many versions, some very new. Sodium nitrate (also called Chili saltpeter) can be substituted for Potassium nitrate (saltpeter). Potassium chlorate can also be used as the oxidizer. The charcoal is best if from softwood (like artists charcoal) not hardwood (like charcoal briquettes). It must be in the form of a fine powder. The sulfur used is usually called flowers of sulfur. This also is a very fine powder, not lumps of sulfur. The addition of magnesium or aluminum powder will make “flash powder,” once used in photography.
