Nitrocellulose

Nitrocellulose


Energetics Powder explosives Controlled supply
Propellant-grade
Nitrocellulose

Nitrocellulose is a nitrated cellulose energetic polymer manufactured from purified cellulose, commonly cotton linters, and supplied in programme-specific nitrogen and viscosity grades. Water-wet or alcohol-wet delivery supports controlled transport and handling for qualified propellant and energetic-formulation programmes:
available exclusively through controlled, licensed supply channels.

Cellulose nitrate
Grade A · Grade B
Water-wet or alcohol-wet
MIL-DTL-244 · AOP-4178
Authorised users only

Controlled material profile

The reference supplier describes nitrocellulose as propellant-grade nitrated cellulose supplied wet for controlled handling. Final characteristics remain specific to the approved grade, nitrogen content, viscosity class, fibre profile, wetting medium, production lot and contracted technical documentation.

01

Grade A nitrogen

The published Grade A range is 12.45–12.75 wt% nitrogen on a dry basis, subject to current lot certification.

02

Grade B nitrogen

The published Grade B range is 13.20–13.40 wt% nitrogen on a dry basis for qualified programme requirements.

03

Controlled wetting

Material is supplied with at least 25% water or alcohol, as ordered, to support its approved transport and handling condition.

04

Quality-controlled supply

Qualification and surveillance are aligned with the contracted MIL-DTL-244, AOP-4178 and AOP-7 framework where applicable.

Programme-specific supply

Artillerie Inrichtingen Armaments BV can support authorised customers with programme-specific sourcing, supplier coordination, conformity documentation, approved dangerous-goods packaging and specialised logistics.

The final grade, nitrogen content, viscosity class, fibre profile, wetting medium, quantity, packaging, shelf-life basis and delivery conditions are established through the contracted technical and regulatory framework.

DesignationNitrocellulose energetic polymer / propellant base
Chemical identityCellulose nitrate · Guncotton · Collodion · Pyroxylin
General formula[C₆H₇(NO₂)₃O₅]ₙ
Specification referencesMIL-DTL-244 · AOP-4178 · AOP-7
Grade A nitrogen12.45–12.75 wt% · Dry basis
Grade B nitrogen13.20–13.40 wt% · Dry basis
Wetting agentWater or alcohol ≥25% · As ordered
Ash≤0.20 wt% · Dry basis
Acidity≤0.02 wt% · Dry basis
ViscosityGrade-dependent · Specified to order
pH profileNeutral to slightly acidic
UN 2555Water-wet ≥25% · Class 4.1
UN 2556Alcohol-wet ≥25%, ≤12.6% N dry · Class 4.1 · PG II
UN 2557Mixture ≤12.6% N dry · Class 4.1
Quality assuranceNitrogen, ash, acidity/alkalinity, volatiles, insolubles, fineness and viscosity · Lot traceability

Energetic-material safety and regulatory control

Nitrocellulose is a regulated flammable energetic material. Supply, possession, transport, storage, handling and use require applicable licences, authorised facilities, approved procedures, qualified personnel and compliance with current manufacturer documentation and competent-authority requirements. Material must remain in its specified wet condition and sealed packaging; published values are indicative and subject to contractual and lot-specific verification.

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