serbuk

Serbuk is the Indonesian and Malay term for a dry, finely divided substance that can be dispersed as a powder. The word covers a wide range of materials ground to a fine particulate form or intended for use in that form, including cosmetic powders, culinary spice powders, medicinal powders, and historical gunpowder. In everyday usage, serbuk denotes any powdered material, with regional terms such as bubuk used in related languages.

Common applications include cosmetic powders such as face powders and talc-based products, which are designed to set makeup or reduce shine; culinary powders like ground pepper, chili, turmeric, and other spice blends used to flavor food; and pharmaceutical powders used as ingredients or for reconstitution. A notable historical example is serbuk mesiu, or gunpowder, a propellant and explosive used in firearms and artillery from ancient to modern times; contemporary formulations have largely replaced traditional gunpowder in many applications.

Production and properties: powders are typically produced by grinding or milling solids to reduce particle size, sometimes followed by sieving to achieve a target fineness. The texture, flow, and solubility of a powder depend on particle size, moisture content, and particle shape. Storage and handling require protection from moisture and contamination, as many powders are hygroscopic or dusty.

Safety considerations: powders can pose inhalation hazards and, in some cases, flammability or explosive risk. Proper storage in sealed, labeled containers away from heat sources and oxidizers is standard practice, and handling should minimize dust generation.