Powder Shelf Life

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deerslayer1511

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I got a sealed can of 4350 from a friend the other day which was produced in 95.When I opened the can it was BROWN with Rust from inside the can & produced a cloud when poured.I know it is rust as I cleaned it out with a Magnet when transfering to another can.
Powder went back to nearly the original colour.
Is This Powder still good?
Would You Shoot It?

Thanks
Deerslayer1511

Like grandpa always said
"if it bleeds you can eat it"
 
(Did it also smell sour?)

It sounds like this powder has gone bad. Any one of these signs indicate bad powder:

- fume (typically yellow/brown)
- internal rusting (the fumes are acidic/corrosive)
- unusual (sour) smell; good powder smells like acetone and alcohol and other solvents; smells other than this are a result of degradation.

Yours is displaying at least two of these symptoms.

No, I would not shoot it, nor would I keep it around. Dispose of it.
 
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I've had that happen, but never figured out what causes it. I still use powder that I bought in the late '60s that's as good as the day I bought it, but every now and then I'll open a can that's gone bad.....and all of it stored under the same conditions.

If I get a can like that I usually just sprinkle it across the lawn - somebody said it makes good fertilizer, so I'll take their word for it. I know for a fact it's a ##### to try to flush down the toilet. At $40+ a can, you really hope you don't open a bad one too often! I've had about 3 or 4 bad ones over thirty years, out of maybe 60 or 70 cans. (Maybe it should be sold like wine...they should let you sniff the cap before you have to pay for it. God knows, it costs as much!)
 
Deteriorating Powder

I have 4350 from 1941 that is still in good shape. On the other hand, I've surplus 4895 and 4831 deteriorate. The later was in a cardboard container, so it was not rust from the can, but a brown powder residue. If the contaminate is removed with a magnet, the powder is likely O.K. (contaminate rust from the can):D
 
The rust is caused by vapors given off by the powder as it starts to deteriorate. The powder is best discarded. If used, it will likely work, but it will have reduced energy and possibly unpredictable results. I have had 2-3 tins of IMR 3031 with this problem over the years. By the same token, I have a bit of Norma 205 that is 40 years old, and in perfect condition. Best way to discard deteriorating powders is to sprinkle on your lawn [as another poster suggested] or put it in small piles in a safe place and set fire to it. Regards, Eagleye.
 
I had a can of IMR 4831 that went like this and I shot it off after cleaning out as much of the rust as I could. Didn't see much difference in performance. Main thing was that the powder smelled OK. Would have gotten rid of it right away if the smell wasn't right. I've started keeping only plastic containers since then too.
 
Tumbleweed said:
I've had that happen, but never figured out what causes it. I still use powder that I bought in the late '60s that's as good as the day I bought it, but every now and then I'll open a can that's gone bad.....and all of it stored under the same conditions.
Click to expand...
(I don't have the exact explanation but it goes something like this.)


It happens because the powder manufacturing process uses concentrated nitric acid. (to produce nitrocellulose and other nitrated compounds)

If the acid is not washed out and neutralized properly it remains VERY corrosive, causing a breakdown in both the powder and rusting the container.

It is a manufacturing defect, and has very little to do with poor storage conditions.
 
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smell was like NEW Powder but alot Stronger.
I put a little in an ashtray & lit it,it smouldered @first then lit up.
I think it will go on the grass.
Thanks
Deerslayer1511
 
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