Nitrations of viscose rayon

Abstract

An examination of the experimental data will give the following generalizations. The stability tests indicate that the same type of acid hydrolysis of the glucose linkages occurs giving unstable, short-chain nitrates whenever rapid, harsh esterification is undertaken. This instability naturally prohibits use of such products as smokeless powder. From the results of this investigation, it seems that any continuous type of acidic nitration of viscose rayon for use in powder bags or guncotton would be highly impractical.