Gun Cotton

a cellulose product discovered by Schénbein in 1845. It is prepared by drying cotton-wool at 100°, and then leaving it for 24 hours in a mixture of one volume of nitric acid, specific gravity, 1.5, and three volumes of sulphuric acid, specific gravity, 1.85, the mixture being cooled to 10°. It is then washed with water, and, if required pure, again with a mixture of one part alcohol and three parts ether to remove the lower nitrates. Gun cotton mitt divided explodes between 160°-170°. It keeps best if it is washed with soda.