Abstract: An initiator comprises: a first explosive substance, wherein the first explosive substance comprises a secondary explosive, and wherein at least the first explosive substance is capable of being initiated. The initiator comprises effectively no primary explosive. The secondary explosive can be a thermally-stable secondary explosive. A method of using an initiator comprises: initiating the initiator.

Abstract: An injection mold includes a sliding member having a partial cavity surface which forms part of a cavity surface, and an adjacent member having a partial cavity surface which forms part of the cavity surface. A sliding surface of the sliding member is guided by a sliding surface of the adjacent member and is linearly movable by a relative sliding distance. A portion from the partial cavity surface to the sliding surface of at least one of the sliding member and adjacent member is continuously coated with a heat insulating coat, and a range over which the sliding surface is coated with the heat insulating coat is so set as to exceed an end of the relative sliding distance, where an edge of the partial cavity surface of the adjacent member contacts with the sliding surface of the sliding member.

Abstract: In the production of spherulitic nitroguanidine having a high bulk and tap ensity nitroguanidine is dissolved in dipolar, aprotic solvents, e.g. DMF, DMSO, NMP, etc., by heating to above the saturation temperature t.sub.s and the supersaturated solution is cooled with a controlled temperature gradient (.degree.C./min), crystallization being assisted by the addition of particulate, spherulitic material. In order to obtain spherical nitroguanidine with high yield in a continuous process and with mother liquor reuse, during the heating to above the saturation temperature t.sub.s, spherical control particles with a diameter of 5 to 500 .mu.m are regularly added to the solution in a quantity of 0.05 to 5.00 mass %. The particle size is chosen in such a way that, as a function of the solution behaviour of the nitroguanidine used and its concentration, on dropping below the saturation temperature spherical control particles are still present in the indicated quantity in the supersaturated solution.

Abstract: Reduction of the grain size of crystalline explosive.A method and an apparatus for reducing the grain size of crystalline explosive provide for, first of all, dissolving the coarse crystalline explosive in an organic solvent. Subsequently, the dissolved explosive is brought together with ice water in a precipitation reactor. In the precipitation reactor the precipitation and crystallization of the explosive occur, while turbulent agitation takes place. A filtration stage is connected downstream of the precipitation reactor. A fine crystalline explosive is obtained, having a mean particle size of from 4 to 6 micrometers.

Abstract: There is provided a process for manufacturing a granular igniter, which facilitates control of the igniter preparation, handling of the granule igniter and improvement in manufacturized yield. The present invention also provides a process for manufacturing a granular igniter which is free from toxic gas generation when burned and which has excellent fluidity. The present invention moreover reduces the number of manufacturing process facilitating the production process, and reducing production costs.An igniter containing boron and potassium nitrate are mixed together with water in a homogenizer to form a homogeneous slurry. The mixing ratio of the igniter to the water is set in the range of 1.0:0.6 to 1.0:1.6 in terms of weight ratio. The slurry is sprayed in a spray dryer where it is dried and granulated. Micropowder, which failed to be collected as the granule, is recovered through a cyclone, and recirculated as the raw material.

Abstract: A unitary propellant charge module for use in separate ammunition comprises a combustible container having a generally hollow cylindrical shape, a generally cylindrical charge body of interconnected compacted spheroidal propellant grains disposed within the container, each of the grains having an uncompacted propellant grain diameter of at least 100 mils, and at least one generally tubular center core igniter body of interconnected compacted spheroidal propellant grains having an unrolled grain size between about 20 to less than 100 mils in diameter. The igniter body is disposed within a central bore extending along the longitudinal axis of the charge body.

Abstract: A castable explosive composition of 80 to 87 percent cyclo-1,3,5,7-tetramylene-2,4,6,8-tetra nitramine (HMX) in dinitropropyl acrylate binder is obtained through careful choice of particle sizes. Up to 92% solids loading, without loss of castability, is obtained when spherical aluminum is incorporated into the mix. Other comonomers may be used in the binder and other solids added.

Abstract: High performance solid propellant compositions producing halogen-free exhaust products comprised of Ammonium Nitrate and powdered magnesium and optionally containing polyoxypropylene glycol as a binder.

Abstract: Castable and elastomeric explosive compositions containing 82-85% HMX in ypropylene-polyethylene type polyurethane binder systems comprising at least 20% 3-5 .mu.HMX and an endothermically pyrolyzable binder.

Abstract: An explosive composition having a combination of a principal explosive, which is relatively insensitive to initiation of detonation, two mesh fractions of a sensitizing explosive which is relatively sensitive to initiation of detonation, a critical diameter additive which lowers the critical diameter of the composition, and a binder, demonstrates the ability to achieve steady-state detonation after deliberate initiation of detonation. The composition is further characterized by low sensitivity to accidental detonation by external influences, and favorable mechanical and processability properties.A method of making an explosive composition of this type by adjusting the amount of critical diameter additive and testing the composition is also described.

Abstract: A method of making ethylenediamine dinitrate comprising:(a) reacting ethylenediamine with aqueous nitric acid to form ethylenediamine dinitrate solution; and(b) adding said ethylenediamine dinitrate solution to a non-aqueous liquid, miscible with water in amounts of at least about 50 percent by weight, and in which ethylenediamine dinitrate is insoluble, to form solid ethylenediamine dinitrate with an average particle size of about 30 microns in diameter.

Abstract: A solid propellant which utilizes a high solids loading of blended HMX (8%) by combining unground and ground HMX particles to achieve desired processing control.

Abstract: Use of mixtures of certain solid oxidizers in minimum smoke crosslinked propellants dramatically enhances burn rates.

Abstract: A solid or semisolid propellant comprising grains of propellant or propellant components bonded together so as to create voids within the propellant volume, said grains bonded together with sufficient strength to substantially delay the fluidization of the propellant by the onset of Taylor unstable burning, said propellant having a rapid burn rate below that associated with Taylor unstable burn. In another embodiment, the grains are held within and the voids are filled with viscous fluid binder such as a petroleum oil, said binder functioning to hinder Taylor unsatable burning and yet permit very rapid burning within the propellant volume.

Abstract: Provided is a water-in-oil explosive emulsion composition having a 1/2 cartridge gap sensitivity of at least about three inches, yet a water content of at least about 10 percent by weight. The composition comprises an emulsion matrix of a hydrocarbon or carbonaceous fuel component, at least one inorganic oxidizer, an emulsifier and water in an amount of at least about ten percent by weight of the emulsion matrix. In addition to the emulsion matrix, the composition further comprises from 1 to 12 weight percent of a water insoluble sensitizer and sufficient density control agent such that the density of the composition is at least 1.0 g/cc. The resulting composition exhibits excellent sensitivity in combination with excellent stability. Another advantage of the resulting composition is that it exhibits an improved ability to withstand underwater wave compression (dead pressness) which often results in total failure of any explosive in the near vicinity.

Abstract: A low burn rate motor propellant containing hydroxyl terminated polybutade, HMX and hexanedioldimerate polymer.

Abstract: A conducting composition suitable for use in a firing cap is disclosed. The conducting composition comprises normal lead styphnate which has a mean particle size not less than 55 microns, in admixture with carbon black which has a mean aggregate size between 5 microns and about 15 microns. The conducting composition has less sensitivity than known conducting compositions and therefore when used in a conducting cap renders the cap less likely to unintential ignition by induced e.m.f. such as from radio transmitters or the like.

Abstract: The formation of two crystalline forms of 2,6-bis (picrylamino)-3,5 dinitropyridine is accomplished by a purification method wherein needle-shaped crystals of 2,6-bis (picrylamino)-3,5 dinitropyridine are dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide to form an adduct compound. Dissociating the adduct compound forms different crystalline structures of 2,6-bis (picrylamino)-3,5 dinitropyridine having improved properties.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of ethylenediamine dinitrate. Ethylenediamine dinitrate, a useful explosive, may readily be prepared by solvent extraction of nitrate ion from an acidic aqueous solution thereof using a high-molecular-weight, water-insoluble amine dissolved in an organic solvent, and reacting the resulting organic solution with ethylenediamine. The process of the instant invention avoids the use of concentrated nitric acid, as is currently practiced, resulting in a synthesis which is far less hazardous especially for large quantities of the explosive, and more efficient.

Abstract: The present invention falls in the field of propellant charges for ballistic ammunitions which have combustible or a non-combustible casing. According to the invention, the ammunition is constituted by a casing 2 placed around a shell 1 and closed by a portion 3 which carries the primer 4. The casing contains a mixed charge constituted on one hand by fragmentable balls 5 and on the other hand, by grains 6 of propellant powder. The balls 5 are constituted by agglomerated propellant powder. The charges according to the invention may be prepared on an industrial scale very easily and in a very reproducible manner and they permit an appreciable increase of the coefficient of filling of the casing.

Abstract: A prepolymer for use in preparing a binder for low vulnerability gun propellants. The condensation of an alkynediol and formaldehyde produces a prepolymer which is cured with a polyisocyanate. The resulting binder can be combined with 1,3,5,7-tetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX) or 1,3,5-trimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), and is readily extruded as multi-perforated propellant grains, the extruded material having a greatly reduced tendency to slumping, and an enhanced mass impetus value.

Abstract: Water-soluble protein is coated onto particles of nitramines by making a rry of nitramine powder in a water solution of the protein and removing the water by evaporation or by filtration after previously precipitating the protein by addition of ethanol. The protein coating acts as a bonding agent to enhance the bond strength between propellant binders and the nitramine particles, resulting in substantial enhancement of desirable propellant properties.

Abstract: Small charges of high energy double base propellants are prepared by solventless extrusion of propellant billets prepared by a slurry type process.

Abstract: A process for the production of 2, 2', 4, 4', 6, 6'-hexanitrostilbene, which gives a readily isolable product and in which solvent recovery is relatively straightforward, is described.An alkali or alkaline earth hypochlorite was reacted with 2, 4, 6-trinitrotoluene in an aqueous organic solvent, preferably containing tetrahydrofuran. The reactant mixture was allowed to stand for at least 30 minutes when a solution of a mineral acid, especially sulphuric acid, was added, with stirring, to acidify the mixture to a final pH of less than 5, preferably between 0.5 and 1.0, especially 0.7. This acidification caused agglomeration of the hexanitrostilbene. When complete mixing of the solutions had been obtained, the stirring was stopped and the mixture allowed to settle and separate into two layers. The top layer, which contained little solid product, was run off through a filter and the filtrate was treated separately to recover solvents, especially tetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: The compositions use oxidizers of HMX, RDX, ammonium nitrate, ammonium picrate and ammonium bitetrazole, and binders of lauryl methacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, vinylene carbonate, polyformaldehyde mixtures were vinylene carbonate, and urethanes of polyethylene glycol and polyphenyl methylene isocyanate.

Abstract: A slurry explosive composition comprising at least one inorganic oxidizing salt, an aqueous liquid phase, fuel material and a sensitizing agent which agent comprises a combination of hydrophobic particles of high explosive material and gas bubbles.

Abstract: Composite gun propellants are prepared wherein the burning rate and burning ate exponent are controlled by proper choice of particle size. This invention permits the formulation of practical, high impetus, composite gun propellants, tailored specifically to yield the desired ballistic properties for a specific round.

Abstract: A detonator containing octogen crystals for projectiles for initiating detonation or for the transmission of a detonation, wherein the octogen crystals possess a size greater than 75 microns and smaller than 150 microns, the relationship between the length and diameter of the crystals amounts to about 3:1, and the edges of the crystals are undamaged. To produce the detonator cap a mixture of different types of octogen crystals is enriched with the aforementioned size of preferred octogen crystals by wet sieving.

Abstract: Ternary explosive compositions of the "hexolite" type are described in which a part of the hexogen is replaced by dinitroglycoluril. The modified hexolites obtained have enhanced shattering properties and are less expensive than conventional hexolites containing the same proportion of trinitrotoluene. Fine octogen and/or hexo-octo, as well as conventional hexolite modifiers, can be incorporated into the compositions.The compositions according to the invention have the same applications as conventional hexolites.

Abstract: A cap-sensitive slurry explosive capable of propagating a high order detonation in thin layers and which has a high degree of safety for a cap-sensitive explosive. The slurry consists of a super-fine grained explosive, suspended in an energetic, but non-self-explosive liquid matrix and contains no liquid explosive ingredient. The slurry resists dispersion in a variety of liquids including water and crude oil. In the preferred embodiments the slurries include penetaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) in super fine particles, having an average particle size of about 6.5 microns.

Abstract: Nitramine propellants absent a pressure exponent shift in the burning rate curves are prepared by matching the burning rate of a selected nitramine or combination of nitramines within 10% of burning rate of a plasticized active binder so as to smooth out the break point appearance in the burning rate curve.

Abstract: High shear treatment of a slurry of explosive particles breaks up agglomees of the explosive particle, forms a stable slurry of fine explosive particles, and tests the slurry for water content.

Abstract: High impetus, low flame temperature propellants are produced by the incoration of a polynitramine into a saturated polymer of a lower hydrocarbon.