Cordite, << KAWR dyt, >> was one of the original smokeless powders used to propel projectiles from guns. The name cordite refers to the cordlike lengths in which it was made. Cordite is composed of 30 percent nitroglycerin, 65 percent nitrocellulose, and 5 percent petrolatum. The British government patented the cordite formula in 1889. This cordite burned with so much heat it damaged gun barrels.
