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Glite Dictionary
pyrocellulose

pyrocellulose

9.9
A chemical from plant material that burns easily and is used to make smokeless powder
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : pirocelulosa
  • Smokeless powders are typically made using pyrocellulose as a primary component.

Examples

  • The manufacturing process for pyrocellulose requires careful handling due to its flammable nature.

  • Compared to guncotton, pyrocellulose contains less nitrogen and is more stable for ammunition use.

  • The chemist studied pyrocellulose for its applications in ammunition.

  • Many manufacturers prefer pyrocellulose for producing smokeless powder.

  • Many manufacturers prefer pyrocellulose for producing smokeless powder because it is less volatile than guncotton.

  • Smokeless powders often utilize pyrocellulose due to its stability and effectiveness in ammunition.

  • The chemist focused on pyrocellulose to improve the performance of smokeless gunpowder.

Surface Forms

pyrocellulose singular
pyrocelluloses plural

Morphology

pyrocellulose = cellulose (semi-transparent) = pyro + cellulose

The word is built from the recognizable prefix 'pyro-' and the base 'cellulose', but the exact chemical sense is specialized and not fully predictable for an average learner.

Etymology

Pyrocellulose joins pyro- ('fire') and cellulose ('plant fiber' found in wood and paper). So, pyrocellulose is plant fiber changed to burn quickly and cleanly, which is why it is used in smokeless powder and must be handled carefully.