Abstract: A method of extruding a material including a binder and one or more energetic fillers and using an installation including an extruder including a sheath having at least one extrusion screw present therein, the extruder having at least one acoustic sensor fastened on the sheath, and a monitor system suitable for detecting an anomaly as a function of the acoustic signal picked up by the acoustic sensor, the monitor system being configured to measure variations in the amplitude of the acoustic signal picked up by the acoustic sensor, the method including an extrusion step for extruding the material through the extruder during which the acoustic signal picked up by the sensor is analyzed by the monitor system, and a detection step for detecting variation in the composition of the extruded material from variation in the amplitude of the acoustic signal.

Abstract: Components of a projectile are held together by a captive collar that is internal to the projectile. The internal captive collar is rotated about a central boss, allowing external threads on the collar to engage one of the mating components and pull that mating component into the other mating component in an axial only translation. The internal captive collar is rotated using a geared-key during assembly. This key engages a geared crown feature of the captive collar, allowing it to rotate. After assembly, the gear key is removed from the assembly. Castellated features nest within slots to transmit torque in the assembled projectile.

Abstract: A hybrid fuel grain is a solid homogenous mixture consisting of paraffin, thermoplastic adhesive, and black dye. A homogenous mixture of the three ingredients is heated in a preheated cast. The cast with the homogenous mixture therein in is placed in an oven. The temperature of the oven is reduced to a selected ambient temperature in accordance with a cooling schedule that comprises a two-step cooling process repeated until the selected ambient temperature is achieved.

Abstract: A flexible protection element for reactive protection against shaped charge warheads and kinetic energy projectiles comprises a formable doughy mixture of a powder dispersed within a matrix of plastic explosive and a binder.

Abstract: Disclosed are gas generating compositions and methods of making and used them.

Abstract: A process for making high density fuels having the potential to increase the range and/or loiter time of Navy platforms. Derivation of these fuels from a sustainable source will decrease the carbon footprint of the Department of Defense (DoD) and reduce reliance on nonsustainable petroleum sources. Fuels based on longifolene have volumetric net heats of combustion up to 17% higher than conventional Navy jet fuel (JP-5). Moreover, longifolene can be generated from sustainable biomass sugars via fermentation.

Abstract: Epoxy resin compositions contain (i) a polyepoxide resin; (ii) a benzofuran diol component, a benzofuran di-epoxide component, or mixture thereof; and (iii) a curing agent, which upon curing, provides a cured resin exhibiting improved chemical and physical characteristics. The epoxy resin composition may also contain a toughening agent to further enhance the cured resin's physical characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas generating agent composition containing pentaerythritol, perchlorate and a water-soluble polymeric binder agent. The gas generating agent composition may provide a gas generating agent excellent in heat resistance and anti-hygroscopicity. A gas generator which is loaded with the gas generating agent composition is preferably applicable as a gas generator for activating vehicle safety devices installed on the exterior of the vehicle. This may improve the reliability of vehicle safety devices.

Abstract: A primer composition that includes red phosphorus having an acid scavenger and a polymer thereon. The primer composition includes at least one other component that is substantially free of lead. The other component is at least one oxidizer, or at least one oxidizer and at least one of at least one secondary explosive composition and at least one energetic binder. The primer composition optionally includes at least one element having an ionic charge to ionic radius ratio of 4 or of 8, such as magnesium, zirconium, aluminum, silicon, titanium, tungsten, alloys thereof, and combinations thereof. The red phosphorus and the at least one oxidizer are present in the primer composition at approximately stoichiometric amounts. An ordnance element including the primer composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cast explosive composition comprising a polymer-bonded explosive and a defoaming agent, and to a process for reducing the number and/or total volume of voids in a cast explosive composition comprising the steps of: combining a polymer-bonded explosive and a defoaming agent; and casting the explosive composition. The defoaming agent may be used for reducing the number and/or total volume of voids in a cast explosive composition and the cast explosive composition may be used in an explosive product.

Abstract: An explosive composition is provided comprising an explosive agent, a solid fuel and a polymeric adherent wherein the explosive agent, solid fuel and polymeric adherent are dispersed throughout the composition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for chemoremediation or mechanical destruction of undetonated explosive materials. An explosive apparatus contains an explosive material in close proximity to a chemical reagent selected for its chemoremediative properties. A barrier is interposed between the explosive material and the chemical reagent to delay the chemoremediation of the explosive material. Alternatively a water expandable material may be incorporated into the explosive material, whereby upon exposure to moisture the water absorbing material will expand sufficiently to fragment the explosive material into initiation insensitive particles. Initiation insensitivity is achieved by incorporation of water, which acts as a desensitizing agent as well as fragmenting the explosive material into particles sufficiently small that they are below the critical diameter for explosive initiation.

Abstract: A thermite torch formulation that consists essentially of a metal fuel, a first oxidizer CuO, a second oxidizer MoO3, and a binder material. When the thermite formulation is reacted, a torch may direct at least one reaction product onto a certain region of an object to deliver a large amount of energy to that region of the object.

Abstract: To provide a gas generating composition for air bag which is low in toxicity, large in burning rate, and low in combustion temperature. Gas generating compositions comprising (a) melamine cyanurate or a mixture of melamine cyanurate and nitrogen-containing organic compound and (b) oxygen-containing oxidant, and gas generating compositions comprising (c) binder and (d) additive are provided.

Abstract: A plastic mouldable explosive composition comprises a gelled binder and a particulate explosive filler contained in the binder, wherein the binder comprises a blend of polyethylene wax polymer together with a tackifying resin comprising a polyisobutene polymer. Desirably, the amount of the polyethylene wax polymer in the composition is in the range 2 to 35 percent by weight, the polyethylene polymer having a molecular weight in the inclusive range 3,000 to 15,000. Desirably, the polyisobutene polymer comprises a liquid polyisobutene having a molecular weight of from 500 to 7,000.

Abstract: An insensitive pressable explosive with a high level of energy comprises octogen grains or hexogen which are coated with a polysiloxane solution.

Abstract: A thermoplastic bonded energetic material which comprises a composition which comprises: Component A: an energetic filler material; and Component B: a polymeric binder for the energetic filler material; wherein the ratio of the weight of Component A present to the weight of Component B present in the composition is in the inclusive range from 1:10 to 1991:1 and wherein Component B comprises an intimate mixture of Ingredients 1 and 2 as follows: Ingredient 1: a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate; Ingredient 2: a copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile; the ratio of the weight of Ingredient 1 present to the weight of Ingredient 2 present in Component B being in the inclusive range from 1:10 to 10:1.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a solvent-free gas-generating pyrotechnic composition, and a method for continuously manufacturing the composition in a twin-screw mixer-extruder, the composition including a binder, a nitrogenous organic compound, an oxidizing filler, and optionally at least one additive; the oxidizing filler including an ammonium perchlorate and a chlorine scavenger; the binder including at least one polymer, having a molecular mass greater than 200,000 and selected from a polyester polymer and an acrylic ester, and wherein the binder uncliding at least one liquid constituent selected from a polyester resin and a plasticizer.

Abstract: A propellant is disclosed, comprising, as binder, an ethylene copolymer especially ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer. The binder may be silane-grafted and moisture curable. A solid propellant composition may contain a plasticizer that is solid or semi-solid at 20° C., and an additive to increase one or more of elongation, adhesion and tack. Examples of the solid or semi-solid plasticizer are selected from microcrystalline wax, macrocrystalline wax, an oxidized hydrocarbon polyolefin and a polyketone wax. Examples of the additive are selected from an aliphatic hydrocarbon, an aromatic, a hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin and a derivative of a rosin. Preferably, the binder composition contains 10-30% by weight of liquid plasticizer, 0-30% by weight of solid or semi-solid plasticizer and 20-40% by weight of at least one said additive. The propellant is particularly useful as a rocket propellant. A method of manufacture is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to propellant compositions comprising a solid inorganic perchlorate oxidizing agent, a nitrogen-containing fuel, and a burn rate catalyst. Such compositions may be used as a propellant material, (e.g., in rocketry), a pyrotechnic material, an explosive material, a light generating material, a heat generating material, or a sound generating material.

Abstract: A solid combustible composition for use in solid fuel air-augmented rocket engines which very substantially increases the temperature efficiency of afterburner fuel combustion with ram air, thereby greatly increasing engine performance. The improvement comprises dispersing in a matrix comprising the solid, fuel-rich organic compositions conventionally utilized in air-augmented rockets, particles containing solid oxidizable element and fluorine oxidizer compound which reacts with the element to produce gaseous subfluoride compound.

Abstract: Plastic bonded explosive (PBX) compositions utilizing CL-20 as the oxidizer, and particularly when the CL-20 is blended with particular combinations of binders and/or plasticizers, have been found to yield synergistic chemical combinations which demonstrate higher energy density and increased penetration power and impetus in military weapons and similar applications.

Abstract: A nitrate ester plasticized energetic composition in which the binder is made of, prior to curing, lower alkylene glycol prepolymer blocks end-capped with ethylene glycol monomers and/or oligomers. The end-capped prepolymer blocks are preferably difunctional or trifunctional. The lower alkylene glycol are preferably propylene glycol, butylene glycol, and/or copolymers thereof. The difunctional end-capped alkylene glycol prepolymer blocks are cured with a diisocyanate or polyisocyanate. In the case of a trifunctional (or higher functional) end-capped alkylene glycol prepolymer block, preferably a diisocyanate is used to effect crosslinking.

Abstract: A gas generating composition which is excellent in a combustion efficiency and a gas output and in which amounts of residues generated are reduced in the combustion is obtained. A gas generating composition comprising (a) 5 to 40% by weight of at least one high polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyacrylic derivative resin, a polyacetal, a urea resin, a melamine resin, a ketone resin and a cellulose-based high polymer, and (b) 60 to 95% by weight of ammonium nitrate or phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate. It is suitable as a gas generating agent for an air bag of automobiles.

Abstract: A gas generating material (16) comprises an oxidizer, a fuel, and a binder composition. The binder composition includes a polystyrene based thermoplastic block copolymer and a thermoplastic modifier. The thermoplastic modifier is miscible with the polystyrene based thermoplastic block copolymer and has a glass transition temperature greater than about 170° C.

Abstract: Plastic bonded explosive (PBX) compositions utilizing CL-20 as the oxidizer, and particularly when the CL-20 is blended with particular combinations of binders and/or plasticizers, have been found to yield synergistic chemical combinations which demonstrate higher energy density and increased penetration power and impetus in military weapons and similar applications.

Abstract: The invention provides an explosive composition comprising A) an oxygen-donating constituent, which forms a disperse phase, B) an organic constituent, which forms a dispersion phase, and C) at least one emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier includes a copolymer comprising, in random or regular order, structural units derived from a) maleic anhydride, b) one or more olefins having more than 40 carbon atoms, and c) a vinyl ester of carboxylic acids having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, where the structural units derived from maleic anhydride have been modified by reaction with alcohols, amino alcohols, ammonia or amines.

Abstract: A gas generating composition for air bags to be used as occupant crash protection systems in automobiles, which is less toxic or dangerous, can be easily handled, has a high combustion efficiency and a high gas generation efficiency, produces few residue during combustion, can be safely manufactured and exhibits a high molding strength in the molding step; and a molded article thereof. The invention provides a gas generating composition containing (a) a fuel comprising at least one polymer compound selected from polyacrylic polymer compounds, polyacetal, urea resins, melamine resins, ketone resins and cellulose-based polymer compounds; (b) an oxidizing agent selected from ammonium nitrate and phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate; and (c) at least one combustion accelerator selected from oxyacid salts such as metal nitrates, metal nitrites, perchlorates and chlorates; a molded article thereof; and an inflator for air bags with the use of the same.

Abstract: Solid gas generant compositions produce low particulates of the slightly-soluble or insoluble type when combusted. More specifically the solid gas generants and/or ignition compositions are provided which include an effective combination of phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) as a oxidizer component and azodiformamidine dinitrate (AZODN) as the fuel component. Most preferably, the AN is phase stabilized with a phase stabilizing effective amount of a phase stabilizer selected from potassium perchlorate (KP) and/or potassium nitrate (KN).

Abstract: A solid pyrotechnic composition having a flame temperature and exhibiting ballistic performance comparable to that of black powder, but which is preferably formulated to contain neither charcoal nor sulfur, is provided. A solid pyrotechnic composition having a flame temperature and exhibits ballistic performance comparable to that of boron/potassium nitrate, and that is preferably free of boron, is also provided.

Abstract: A smoke-generating redox composition contains one or more esters of colophony or of hydrogenated colophony with an alcohol. Applications include use in a deterrent device.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) and a gas generating material (16) that when ignited produces gas to inflate the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20). The gas generating material (16) includes an inorganic salt oxidizer, a water-soluble binder, and about 1 to about 10% of a supplemental fuel selected from the group consisting of 3,6-dihydrazino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine, 3,6-diamino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine-1,4-dioxide, and 3,6-diamino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An incendiary method and apparatus includes a method of making an incendiary apparatus for remotely igniting fires which includes forming the incendiary apparatus with a composition of potassium nitrate, sulfur, and a polymer and then extruding the incendiary composition into a continuous extrusion and cutting the extrusion into sections to form individual incendiary devices. The method includes extruding the incendiary composition with a wire or bore formed therethrough into a generally cylindrical shape. The method also includes selecting an incendiary apparatus having a predetermined shape for producing a predetermined flame pattern when ignited and having an ignition wire extending therethrough, heating the ignition wire, and dispensing the selected incendiary apparatus having the heated ignition wire from a remote location into an area for starting a fire.

Abstract: An improved thermally stable, storage stable gas generating composition characterized by both an increased burning rate and a decreased pressure exponent for producing a clean, nontoxic, substantially ash- and solids-free gas for inflating inflatable structures such as vehicle airbags is provided. Optimum combustion efficiencies and operating pressures are achieved in the improved gas generating composition by adding an effective amount of a copper or copper compound catalyst to a gas generating composition that is preferably a eutectic mixture or solid solution of ammonium nitrate, at least one highly oxygenated fuel, potassium or cesium perchlorate or nitrate and an optional binder.

Abstract: Solid gas generant compositions produce low particulates (e.g., condensed ash) when ignited. The solid gas generant compositions most preferably include a nitramine, at least one oxidizer selected from nitrates of strontium or cerium, in admixture with or without potassium perchlorate, and a binder. Graphite may optionally be employed. The gas generant compositions are usefully employed in inflatable vehicle occupant passive restraint systems (e.g., air bag systems).

Abstract: A gas generating composition comprising ammonium nitrate and a non-toxic metal oxide which reduces the pressure exponent and enables the composition to sustain combustion at or near atmospheric pressure, thereby improving combustion efficiency. The composition is useful for various purposes, such as inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, i.e., an air bag for an automotive vehicle or aircraft, as well as aircraft escape chutes or the like.

Abstract: A propellent charge powder for barrel-type weapons having a plasticizer on the basis of nitramine and nitrocellulose, nitramine and energetic and non-energetic plastic binders, or nitrocellulose or an explosive, and wherein the plasticizer is a mixture of at least two chemically different dinitro diaza compounds. The plasticizer facilitates the production and use of the propellent charge powder possessing a low temperature coefficient.

Abstract: An inflator (14) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) comprises a pressurized container (20), a gas generating material stored under pressure in the container (20), and an igniter (36) for igniting the gas generating material in the container. The gas generating material comprises an oxidizer and a fuel. At least a major portion of the oxidizer is nitrous oxide in a liquid-gas state. At least a major portion of the fuel is polyvinyl alcohol in a porous, molded solid state (64). A portion of the liquid nitrous oxide is absorbed into the pores of the molded polyvinyl alcohol (64). The gas generating material upon combustion produces a combustion product consisting essentially of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device comprises a body of gas generating material which comprises a solid solution of a water soluble liquid oxidizer and a hydrophilic polymeric gelling agent. The gelling agent comprises carbon atoms in an effective amount to function as a fuel with the liquid oxidizer. The solid solution also comprises water, preferably in the amount of about 5% to about 25% based on the weight of the body of gas generating material. The water reduces the temperature of the gas which is produced and also increases its volume, making the gas generating material suitable for a vehicle occupant protection device. A preferred oxidizer is hydroxyl ammonium nitrate or derivative thereof. A preferred gelling agent is polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: A gas-generating preparation suitable for being used in an air bag includes ammonium nitrate, a derivative of guanidine and one or more metal carbonates as a deflagration catalyst. By using one or more metal carbonates as a deflagration catalyst, higher burning rates and a lower burning temperature are achieved than if metal oxides such as copper(II) oxide are used as a deflagration catalyst.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to the use of certain selected neoalkoxy organo-titanates and organo-zirconates in energetic compositions to improve their processability, physical properties, and combustion properties. The organo-titanates and organo-zirconates of the instant invention, when added to the energetic systems' matrix in advance of the introduction of particulate or other solid energetic components, improve the dispersion of the latter while reducing the energy required to achieve formulation uniformity. This enhances the processability, the physical properties, the burn characteristics and the safety and handling characteristics of the formulated composites.

Abstract: A gas generating apparatus for outputting a gas is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus is an inflator having a propellant for supplying inflation gas(es) to an inflatable located in a vehicle. A confining member is located adjacent to the propellant. A number of spaced holes are provided in the confining member, either before or after activation of the propellant. Inflation gas is received through the spaced holes for subsequent passage to the inflatable. In that regard, the inflation gas first passes through a chamber defined in a timing member that has metering orifices. Such orifices regulate the flow of the inflation gas to the inflatable. The confining member is able to withstand significant pressures without rupturing. Each of the confining member and the timing member is preferably made of a non-metallic material. The propellant includes a fuel-rich material and an oxidizer material, preferably ammonium nitrate.