Abstract: A composition is provided which comprises a fuel effective amount of a heterocyclic compound represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is a non-metallic cation; and an oxidizing effective amount of an inorganic oxidizer. The oxidizer can be an inorganic nitrite, an inorganic nitrate, a metal peroxide, a metal oxide, a metal hydroxide, an inorganic perchlorate, or an inorganic chlorate. A binder can be added, if desired. An automotive air bag inflator and a method for generating gas are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of preparing bis-(1(2)H-tetrazol-5-yl)-amine (BTA) having improved physical and chemical characteristics are disclosed. In the process, a dicyanamide salt and an azide salt are reacted at high temperature in the presence of an acid reagent. Best yields are obtained when the reaction is allowed to proceed for approximately 48 hours. The dicyanamide salt is preferably present in a stoichiometric excess. The acid reagent has a pK.sub.a in the range from about 3 to about 9. The reaction mixture is acidified to a pH less than 3. Several variations of the acidification step permit control of particle size and morphology. Small, rounded particles are prepared by rapidly cooling the hot crude reaction product coincidentally with acidification. This is preferably accomplished by adding the hot crude reaction product directly to cold concentrated acid. The precipitated particles are isolated to yield BTA.

Abstract: A sodium-azide-free gas-generating composition includes an oxidizable inorganic fuel, such as a metal, and an oxidizing agent containing oxygen and a metal. The fuel and the oxidizing agent are selected such that water vapor is produced upon reaction between the inorganic fuel and the oxidizing agent. Although a number of inorganic fuels can be employed, a suitable fuel can be a transition metal, another element such as silicon, boron, aluminum, magnesium, an intermetallic compound, hydrides of these metals and mixtures thereof. The oxidizing agent comprises a metal hydroxide, a metal hydrous oxide, a metal oxide hydrate, a metal oxide hydroxide, or mixtures thereof. The fuel and oxidizing agent are selected such that essentially no gases other than water vapor are produced.

Abstract: A sodium-azide-free gas-generating composition includes an oxidizable inorganic fuel, such as a metal, and an oxidizing agent containing oxygen and a metal. The fuel and the oxidizing agent are selected such that water vapor is produced upon reaction between the inorganic fuel and the oxidizing agent. Although a number of inorganic fuels can be employed, a suitable fuel can be a transition metal, another element such as silicon, boron, aluminum, magnesium, an intermetallic compound, hydrides of these metals and mixtures thereof. Suitable oxidizing agents are selected from basic metal carbonates and basic metal nitrates. The fuel and oxidizing agent are selected such that substantially nontoxic gases are produced such as mixtures of water vapor and either carbon dioxide or nitrogen.

Abstract: A sodium-azide-free gas-generating composition includes an oxidizable borohydride fuel and an oxidizing agent containing oxygen and a metal. The fuel and the oxidizing agent are selected such that water vapor is produced upon reaction between the borohydride fuel and the oxidizing agent. Suitable oxidizing agents contain a metal and oxygen and are selected from a metal oxide, a metal oxide hydrate, a metal oxide hydroxide, a metal hydrous oxide, a metal hydroxide, or mixtures thereof. The fuel and oxidizing agent are selected such that water vapor is the major gaseous combustion product.