Poudre Blanche

Properties

Material Characteristics

The substance known as Poudre Blanche is actually found in the form of small, thin cylinders rather than actual powder and may be white or gray depending on the formula, with the original m.1886 formula being white, and those of m.1889 onward being gray.
It is primarily made of a gelled colloid of guncotton - itself nitrocellulose made from cotton and a mix of nitric acid - partially dissolved into a mixture of ethanol and ether, itself compressed and extruded into the shape of small cylinders and stabilized with amyl alcohol. The 1899 update to the formula adds up to 8% petrolleum jelly to the base compound and replaces the amyl alcohol as a stabilizer. It also coats the cylinders in a thin layer of graphite to prevent static electricity buildup, which gives it its gray color.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Poudre Blanche is highly flammable and explosive as befits of a propellant. The cylinders themselves are relatively brittle and smooth to the touch, as well as slightly conductive.

Life & Expiration

Original M.86 propellant was discovered to start experiencing hazardous deterioration after around 10 years, which was one of the primary reason for the improved m.99 formula's development, itself appearing to be suitably shelf stable for the time being.

History & Usage

History

Poudre Blanche was first synthesized in 1996, in La Hire, in the Val-de-Loire province by Bourguignon chemist Joffrey Dumas in an attempt to make suitable the otherwise too brisant and unstable guncotton for use in smallarms. Immediately attracting the attention of one then-colonel Flavien Renaud on leave from his post in Bahili, Renaud attempted to convince Dumas to keep his discovery secret until the Seilurid military could make good use of it to gain an edge internationally, but it quickly became clear to the general that Joffrey had no intention of complying, as the chemist was afraid someone else would patent the formula first and rob him of the fame and wealth. This spurred general Renaud to acquire a quantity of the final product and rush to Elfame to covertly enlist the assistance of local gunsmiths to create the 8mm Renaud round he would soon afterwards present to the Suprême État-Major, leading to the first smokeless powder round.
Despite the subsequent hostility between Dumas and Renaud, his Poudre Blanche was quickly adopted by the Seilurid military in its original form - although no rifle using it would be produced for years - and it continues to be used to this day. In 1899, a new version of the round replacing the unstable amyl alcohol by a somewhat large quantity of petroleum jelly, also known as paraffin, was developed in response to a number of explosive accident when older powder that had been stored for several years was found to have grown increasingly unstable. Graphite was also added to prevent dangerous build up of static electricity and for easier handling.

Everyday use

The 1886 original Poudre Blanche is used in the 8x50mm Renaud rifle round and in the original versions of the 11x25 Martel handgun round and the 11x70 FAE shotshell. The 1899 Poudre Blanche is used in more modern versions of the 11x25 Martel and the 11x70 FAe, as well as in the newly-introduced 8x50mm FAE rifle round.

Type

Composite

Color

gray

Melting / Freezing Point

Does not melt, will explode

Related Items

• 8x50 FAE