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The science is there, so is the answer.
It is definitely possible to ignite BP with an electrostatic discharge under the right conditions.
However, doing so has no benefit to the muzzleloader shooter.
Brokennock
Cannon
That the science is there, is exactly my point. We can answer this question. However, I've not seen scientific evidence of a static charge of enough energy for a long enough duration to ignite black powder (not including powder dust in the air like a grain silo) being generated by anything the average user does.
You can strap a 2x4 to a lightning rod too and it will catch fire but that doesn't mean static electricity will set it off.
For those who haven't seen the permanent topic at the top of the index page for the Shooting Accessories section you should click on this link to some interesting testing that talks about trying to get black powder to ignite using static electricity:
http://www.ctmuzzleloaders.com/ctml_experiments/sparks/sparks.html
In case you missed the link posted in that article, the author tried to come up with other methods of electrically igniting black and smokeless powder.
After several different attempts using several different methods of generating a spark, he was finally successful.
I would like to point out that the thing he ended up with did not use static electricity. Instead, it used methods that are similar to what a spark plug uses to ignite fuel in a gasoline engine.
Here is a link to that part of the experiment:
http://www.ctmuzzleloaders.com/ctml_experiments/electric_ignition/eignition.html
http://www.ctmuzzleloaders.com/ctml_experiments/sparks/sparks.html
In case you missed the link posted in that article, the author tried to come up with other methods of electrically igniting black and smokeless powder.
After several different attempts using several different methods of generating a spark, he was finally successful.
I would like to point out that the thing he ended up with did not use static electricity. Instead, it used methods that are similar to what a spark plug uses to ignite fuel in a gasoline engine.
Here is a link to that part of the experiment:
http://www.ctmuzzleloaders.com/ctml_experiments/electric_ignition/eignition.html
There is a guy in TN that emptied some old powder out of several cans into a plastic bowl, was walking to dump it outside and it ignited, causing burns on his upper body. I dont personally know him, just know him on another forum. I have no reason to doubt him, I have seen pictures of the burns on his body.
Speculation is that perhaps the old powder was not coated with graphite and that had something to do with it.
Fleener
Speculation is that perhaps the old powder was not coated with graphite and that had something to do with it.
Fleener
Brokennock
Cannon
Was he smoking a cigarette or cigar at the time?
Which would explain why people handling black powder at fireworks manufacturing facilities work very hard stay grounded.
It's the fine dust...And it would explain why straight out of the can BP is tough to ignite with a simple spark, especially at the level commonly found from a human who is part of a common static electricity discharge.
Now I wonder about the occasional granule of 3Fg that gets crushed when I replace the stopper in my horn, and I don't fully empty that horn, but refill as needed, so does a person using the horn develop some fine powder, perhaps lurking in the bottom of said horn? What about the folks crushing the odd granule when using the valve on a flask?
Take some grains of wheat, apply a torch to them in a bowl, they will burn. Let loose a spark among the dust in a grain elevator, and you have a very different scenario.
LD
This thread reminds me I have a few I've been meaning to start.
One will be titled "Best cleaning method";
another will be "I love Pyrodex";
another called "why ever use anything except Bore Butter";
and the best of all, "you should always blow down the barrel".
(Zonie absolutely loves me)
One will be titled "Best cleaning method";
another will be "I love Pyrodex";
another called "why ever use anything except Bore Butter";
and the best of all, "you should always blow down the barrel".
(Zonie absolutely loves me)
Brokennock
Cannon
Great idea. But m, why go to the trouble of starting a new one when you can just drag up a 16 to 20 year old thread on any of those subjects and get it going again?
You know, like this one.
Don't forget the DOM tubing topic.
Which would explain why people handling black powder at fireworks manufacturing facilities work very hard stay grounded.
And it would explain why straight out of the can BP is tough to ignite with a simple spark, especially at the level commonly found from a human who is part of a common static electricity discharge.
Now I wonder about the occasional granule of 3Fg that gets crushed when I replace the stopper in my horn, and I don't fully empty that horn, but refill as needed, so does a person using the horn develop some fine powder, perhaps lurking in the bottom of said horn? What about the folks crushing the odd granule when using the valve on a flask?
Take some grains of wheat, apply a torch to them in a bowl, they will burn. Let loose a spark among the dust in a grain elevator, and you have a very different scenario.
LD
Yep.
And short starters! I’m glad I use a mallet....
Mallets and hammers have been around since Fred Flintstone chiseled out his 1st set of training wheels! Lol
I would suggest that one of the most important things to help us stay safe is "common sense".
Does anyone remember uphill and downhill goats?
Is this why graphite is used as a component in black powder?
dragnetbill
36 Cal.
Well now, that is going to be a short thread...
