Technically, gunpowder is actually a composite explosive as it consists of separate fuel and oxidiser materials. However, as it does not make use of a binder it is generally considered to be a different class of propellant to modern composite types. Gunpowder is not a very efficient explosive, as 50% of the combustion products are solid. However, it is very reliable and is still used as an initiator in explosive trains. Today, gunpowder propellant is only used in fireworks.

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