Abstract: Propellant grain consisting essentially of:A. from about 50% to about 75% by weight of an oxidizer consisting essentially of ammonium nitrate;B. from about 1% to about 20% by weight of a cured polymeric binder;C. from 0% to about 30% by weight of a nitrate ester plasticizer;D. from about 3.5% to about 8% by weight of boron in free elemental form; andE. from 0% to about 3% by weight of aluminum metal.The grain has a pressure exponent not exceeding about 0.30 at a combustion pressure between about 2500 and about 7000 pounds per square inch (between about 1700 and about 4800 N/cm.sup.2). Also, an uncured pourable slurry having the formula stated above, except that the binder is uncured. Also, a method for forming a propellant grain having the formula stated above, comprising the steps of providing the uncured pourable slurry defined above, pouring the slurry into a casing, and curing the slurry in situ to form a cured propellant grain having a pressure exponent not exceeding about 0.

Abstract: Solid propellants in which the oxidizer is a perchlorate are improved by the inclusion of diaminoglyoxime or diaminofurazan in the propellant compositions.

Abstract: A composite propellant composition consisting essentially of ammonium perchlorate as an oxidizer, a carboxy-terminated polybutadiene binder, ammonium sulfate as a cooling agent, and a small proporation of at least one copper compound which functions as a ballistic modifier to lower the pressure exponent of the propellant over a useful pressure range for combustion of the propellant in a gas generator or other device. The copper compounds also lower the .pi..sub.k value of the composition, particularly at pressures exceeding 3000 psi (about 2000 N/cm.sup.2). Specifically exemplified copper compounds are copper chromite, copper phthalocyanine, and copper stearate.

Abstract: A process for preparation of polyfunctional isocyanates having an NCO functionality of at least 4 is provided. The process is conducted at temperatures below 50.degree. C. Polyols having a hydroxyl functionality of at least 4 are reacted with diisocyanates to produce the polyfunctional isocyanates. The ratio of isocyanate groups to hydroxyl groups of the polyol must be at least 4/l. The new polyfunctional isocyanates are particularly useful as crosslinking agents for propellant compositions having a binder containing pendant hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: Manufacturing gel free nitrocellulose lacquers in shorter time by less hazardous methods is disclosed. A low boiling solvent, miscible with polyol polymer and nitrate ester, is used during the manufacture to provide a lacquer premix comprising the polyol polymer and nitrocellulose. The premix may be a clear solution or an emulsion. Explosive nitrate esters are added to the lacquer premix and the resulting admixture sparged to reduce the water (if present) and low boiling solvent each to below about 0.02% by weight and form the gel free nitrocellulose lacquer.

Abstract: Poly(diethylene glycol-4,7-dinitrazadecane-dioate), P-DEND), is synthesized y the Michael addition of ethylene dinitramine to methyl acrylate to yield the intermediate compound dimethyl-4,7-dinitrazadecane-dioate (DMDND). DMDND is reacted for a period of about 18 hours with diethylene glycol (DEG) at about 85.degree. C. in presence of a p-toluenesulfonic acid catalyst to yield P-DEND. The product (P-DEND) is purified by passing it through a silica gel column using methylene chloride as solvent. The average molecular weight of P-DEND ranges from about 1500-2000. P-DEND is shown to be compatible with stabilized nitroglycerin for use as an energetic polymer binder for high performance propellants.