Higher thermodynamic properties: a scientist explains which raw material is better for gunpowder production – cotton or hemp

Ukraine, which continues to repel Russian aggression, has significant problems with gunpowder. The main raw material for it is cotton, which grows poorly in our country, but gunpowder can also be made from hemp.

Moreover, hemp gunpowder has higher thermodynamic properties, as scientists discovered ten years ago. Viktor Kabanets, director of the Institute of Bast Crops at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, told OBOZ.UA.

"It is believed that the best raw material for gunpowder is long-fiber hand-picked cotton. But I should note that it is only hand-picked. In any case, it's quite difficult to grow cotton in Ukraine, as the climate is not right. It is possible only in the Crimea, Kherson, and Odesa regions. And our Cossacks used to make gunpowder from hemp raw materials," he said.

Recently, scientists from the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine presented a new variety of sowing technical hemp called Sofia. It was developed at the Institute of Agriculture of the North-East of the NAAS in Sumy.

According to Kabanets, any varieties of industrial hemp that are included in the state register "Plant Varieties of Ukraine" (there are 21 in total) can be used as raw materials for gunpowder.

"There are varieties of more fibrous type, and grain varieties with higher seed yields, which are used to make hemp oil (and the seeds themselves are very useful). The fibrous varieties, which include Sofia, are more suitable for making explosives. Including gunpowder. For example, there are varieties with a fiber content of up to 30%, and 'Sofia' has a fiber content of up to 32%," Kabanets said.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined the priorities for weapons production in Ukraine. It is about maximizing the development of domestic production and supporting private initiatives that are already working to strengthen defense.

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