Powder B

"Powder B" refers to a type of blasting powder that was historically manufactured using sodium nitrate instead of potassium nitrate. This distinction was made to differentiate it from "Powder A," which used potassium nitrate and was considered higher quality for specific applications like firearms.1

Powder B, also known as black blasting powder, is typically made in grains or pellets and was primarily used for blasting soft materials, particularly in coal mines. While it was less expensive than Powder A, it was still suitable for many mining and construction tasks. The composition of black powder generally includes saltpetre (potassium or sodium nitrate), sulfur, and charcoal.21