Melting point 164–172 °C (decomposes), acidity (pKa) 2.1, water soluble. Erythorbic acid is widely used as an antioxidant in processed foods and as a preservative in cured meats and frozen vegetables. In pyrotechnics, Erythorbic acid can be used to make explosives, propellants such as black powder substitutes, smokeless (black powder) substitutes, rocket propellants and cover smoke formulations. There are many patents for which it is used for these purposes.