Abstract: A process for the production of a chemically gassed emulsion explosive wherein a chemical gassing agent is added to the emulsion as an essentially dry particulate powder. The process allows for the production of stable emulsion explosives which have more controllable emulsion explosive characteristics.

Abstract: An explosive and propellant composition is obtained by admixing finely divided particles of ascorbic acid and a nitrate-containing oxidation agent, such as potassium nitrate. Admixing can be carried out in the dry state, at room temperature. The composition upon ignition gives off no sulfurous fumes, and leaves little or no carbon residue; and causes no corrosion with contacted metal surfaces.

Abstract: Water-containing explosives, such as emulsions, slurries and water gels, are sensitized in their emulsion (concentrate) phases with sensitizing energy release agents based on nitroalkanes and nitroalkane blends including arene coupling agents. The sensitizing energy release agents are miscible with the concentrate phase and remain stable therein.

Abstract: A blasting composition of reduced volume strength relative to straight ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO) compositions, containing particulate oxidizer salt, particulate inert and/or density reducing filler and optionally a fuel for modifying the oxygen balance. The composition contains a viscous water-in-oil type emulsion, having a continuous fuel phase and a discontinuous aqueous phase of oxidizing salts, in an amount sufficient for improving adherence between the particulate oxidizer salt and the particulate filler, but insufficient for filling out the interstices between the particulate oxidizer salt and the particulate filler.

Abstract: A chemically sensitized dry explosive is provided, which can be used as a blasting agent, per se, or can be used in the production of a wide variety of explosive compositions. The compositions are typically manufactured from an unstable emulsion explosive and have a chemical sensitizer in either the continuous or discontinuous phase. The compositions are characterized in that they comprise 5 to 30% water in the discontinuous phase after crystallization of the composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a pyrotechnic composite and process for preparing the same, wherein the pyrotechnic composite comprises a mixture of an alkaline earth metal sulfate, particulate boron and at least one additional particulate metal which is capable of exothermically reacting with boron. The exothermic reaction between the components of the pyrotechnic composite releases a thermal radiation of at least about 300 W/cm.sup.2 -Steradian and a visible light energy of at least about 1.0.times.10.sup.4 LUX.

Abstract: A permitted water-bearing explosive composition of the watergel or emulsion type contains a suitable amount, e.g. 0.5% by weight of the composition, of a non-passivated paint flake aluminum having a surface area of 5000 cm.sup.2 /g or greater and a suitable amount of one or more alkali or alkaline earth metal or ammonium halides, perferably potassium chloride.

Abstract: Primer composition comprising diazodinitrophenol or potassium dinitrobenzofuroxane, tetracene, nitrate ester fuel and strontium nitrate. It is prepared by hydrating anhydrous strontium nitrate by dissolving in warm water and thereafter cooling solution to obtain crystals of the tetrahydrate. These crystals are mixed with other components to form the primer composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of preparing an explosive composition which comprises adding an inert bulking agent to said explosive composition, so as to increase the weight and density thereof, and thereafter introducing gas into said composition, so as to decrease said density to at least 1.1 g/cc. The invention also provides an explosive composition which comprises an inert bulking agent which is added to the composition to increase the weight and density thereof, and further includes gas which is thereafter added to lower the density to a predetermined or desired level.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dry mix explosive composition wherein a binding or holding agent is provided to hold the parts thereof together in a straightforward and efficient manner, in order to avoid segregation of the parts such as during mixing, placement and the like. The dry mix explosive composition includes oxidiser, fuel and bulking agent, and further includes a binder in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion which acts to hold the parts of said composition together during mixing, placement and the like.

Abstract: Ultra-ultrahigh burning rate composite modified double-base propellants are btained by use of porous ammonium perchlorate as a replacement for the ultra-ultrafine ammonium perchlorate. The porous ammonium perchlorate is used in combination with aluminum powder fuel and aluminum staples, nitroglycerin as an explosive plasticizer, triacetin as a non-explosive plasticizer, stabilizers selected from resorcinol and 2-nitrodiphenylamine and other selected additives for achieving desired processing, mechanical, ballistic, and other properties of the propellant.

Abstract: Mechanical enhancement of the burning rate of solid propellants is achieved y the incorporation of limited percentages of gas-generated-expandable beads into the solid propellant composition during propellant mixing and which are chemically crosslinked during propellant curing to a solid propellant grain. When the flame front reaches an individual bead during propellant grain burning, the bead which contains a blowing agent selected from 4-toluenesulfonyl hydrazide and 4,4'-oxybis(benzenesulfonyl hydrazide) and coated with a bead forming material consisting of about 95 parts by weight hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene prepolymer, of about 5 parts by weight of trimethylolpropane, and of about 6 parts by weight of isophorone diisocyanate expands to several times its volume and ruptures. Bead expansion or rupture causes a disruption of the propellant's surface, and the flame can penetrate into the propellant. The penetration results in a major increase in burning rate.

Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition having a void-providing agent consisting of expanded perlite is provided. The water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition comprising a continuous phase of carbonaceous fuel, an emulsifier, a dispersed phase of an aqueous solution of inorgnaic oxidizer, and expanded perlite having a density of less than 0.60 g/cc and preferably of from about 0.23 g/cc to about 0.45 g/cc.

Abstract: A free-flowing granular explosive comprising of an oxidizing salt, fuel, a hydrophilic thickener and a hydrophobic compound. Upon water impingement the hydrophobic compound repels water from the surface of the oxidizing salt while the hydrophilic thickener simultaneously forms a water-resistant barrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water-in-oil emulsion explosive compositions comprising a discontinuous aqueous phase, a continuous water-immiscible organic phase, and an emulsifier content being at least 45% by weight of the emulsified fuel phase which decreases precompression or dead pressing.

Abstract: A fast-acting cure catalyst for use in hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene-ed solid propellant formulation is tris(ethoxyphenyl)bismuthine. The incorporation of this catalyst as an additive in an amount of about 0.025 weight percent into a composite propellant formulation enables the formulation to be ambient mixed and ambient cured at 80.degree. F. or accelerated oven cured at 140.degree. F. Both oven and ambient cures are considerably more cost effective than the conventional oven cure if the prior art cure catalyst, triphenylbismuthine (TPB), is used. Other composite propellant ingredients comprise ammonium perchlorate of about 65 weight percent, aluminum powder of about 14 weight percent, the organic oxidizer, cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine, of about 10 weight percent, isophorone diisocyanate additive to provide an isocyanate/hydroxyl ratio of about 0.92, and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene polymer of about 11.5 weight percent.

Abstract: A novel PIBSA-based surfactant is provided which has particular utility in the manufacture of water-in-oil explosive emulsions. The surfactant comprises the esterification product of polyalk(en)yl succinic anhydride and an adduct of the formula: ##STR1## whereR.sub.1 is H or --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --OHandR.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of an acyl group containing 8-20 carbon atoms and a hydroxy ethyl ester of a mono- or di-carboxylic acid containing from 8-25 carbon atoms. The compound can be distinguished from the prior art PIBSA-based surfactants by virtue of the absence of any polyamine in its synthesis, the presence of an ester linkage and the absence of a salt linkage.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a multi-phase emulsion explosive from a liquid organic fuel medium and an immiscible liquid oxidizer comprises a mixing chamber, flow constrictor means for introducing the liquid oxidizer as an emergent turbulent jet to said chamber and causing formation of droplets of said oxidizer in situ within the chamber, means for introducing the fuel medium to said chamber so that the fuel introduced thereby contacts and stabilizes the droplets of oxidizer solution as they are formed to maintain same as discrete droplets of oxidizer liquid and thereby provide an emulsion suitable for use as the basis for an explosive system.

Abstract: An excellent water in oil type emulsion explosive having both of a superior handling property and a good aging initiating sensitivity at low temperatures and at small calibers, is provided by using a specific low molecular weight polyethylene as the carbonaceous fuel in the emulsion explosive.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dry mix explosive composition which includes a bulking agent which comprises from 1-20% (by weight) of a vegetable protein additive, the bulking agent having a bulk density of 0.1-0.6 grams per cubic centimeter. It is preferred that the resulting explosive composition have a bulk density of from 0.5-1.1 grams per cubic centimeter.

Abstract: Water-containing explosives, such as emulsions, slurries and water gels, are sensitized in their salt phase with sensitizing energy release agents based on nitroalkanes and nitroalkane blends and optionally including arene coupling agents.

Abstract: A highly active, finely divided ferric oxide burning rate catalyst and method for making the same. The catalyst is made by vaporizing an iron-containing compound that is capable of vaporization at a temperature below about 500.degree. C., and is capable of forming ferric oxide when reacted with an oxygen-containing atmosphere at temperatures below about 500.degree. C. The iron-containing compound is then oxidized in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. The ferric oxide burning rate catalyst made by this process is particularly adapted for use in a composite solid rocket propellant. This process provides an ultra pure, highly active, finely divided burning rate catalyst.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a formable homogeneous propellant composition and to a process employing same for production of a self-supporting formed propellant charge. The propellant composition comprises a mixture of propellant grains and solvent-filled microcapsules in proportions suitable for consolidation under pressure to form the self-supporting formed propellant charge. The solvent-filled microcapsules comprise solvent suitable for partially solvating the propellant grains. The mixture of propellant grains and solvent-filled microcapsules are placed in a forming mold under sufficient pressure to rupture at least a substantial portion of the microcapsules. Pressure is maintained for a time sufficient to form the self-supporting formed propellant charge, after which the propellant charge can be removed from the forming mold and cured by exposure to drying heat.

Abstract: An explosive composition is disclosed which comprises a discontinuous oxidizer phase comprising at least one oxygen-supplying component, a continuous organic phase comprising at least one water-immiscible organic liquid, and an emulsifying amount of at least one nitrogen-containing emulsifier derived from (A) at least one carboxylic acylating agent, (B) at least one polyamine, and (C) at least one acid or acid-producing compound capable of forming at least one salt with said polyamine. These explosive compositions can be water-in-oil emulsions or melt-in-oil emulsions. They can also be explosive compositions derived from such emulsions wherein at temperatures below that at which the emulsion is formed the discontinuous phase is solid or in the form of droplets of supercooled liquid.

Abstract: An emulsion explosive composition comprising a discontinuous phase containing an oxygen-supplying component and an organic medium forming a continuous phase wherein the oxygen-supplying component and organic medium are capable of forming an emulsion which, in the absence of a supplementary adjuvant, exhibits an electrical conductivity measured at 60.degree. C., not exceeding 60,000 picomhos/meter. Such conductivity may be achieved by inclusion of a modifier. The compositions exhibit improved storage characteristics.

Abstract: An explosive composition comprising (a) a water-in-oil emulsion comprising (i) a discontinuous aqueous phase comprising at least one oxygen-releasing salt, (ii) a continuous water-immiscible organic phase and (iii) an emulsifier, and (b) 20 to 75% w/w of the total composition of brisant explosive and wherein the emulsifier is chosen from poly[alk(en)yl] succinic acid and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Structure for generating nitrogen gas for inflating an air bag vehicle occupant resistant comprises a grain made of an azide based material which generates gas upon combustion. The grain has an ignition enhancing coating thereon consisting essentially of 30 to 50% by weight of an alkali metal azide, 40 to 60% by weight of sodium nitrate or potassium perchlorate, 5 to 15% by weight of boron, and 1 to 15% by weight of sodium silicate. The coating may also include 1 to 6% by weight of graphite fibers as a roughening agent.

Abstract: Composite solid propellants are provided containing, in an amount effective to reduce the burning rate of the propellant, at least one bitetrazole compound.

Abstract: In order to achieve a stable burn characteristic, improved mechanical proties and reduced smoke development during burn, a composite solid propellant includes nitrides, borides, and carbonitrides of the metals zirconium, titanium, tungsten, hafnium, tantalum, or niobium as a burn moderator.

Abstract: A dry non-explosive additive for ammonium nitrate-fuel oil (ANFO) blasting agents which provides water resistance and wet sensitivity to allow use of the explosive in wet drill holes. The additive contains gelling agents that rapidly hydrate and swell upon water impingement, and thereafter cross-link to rapidly form a peripheral water-blocking barrier to prevent further water intrusion into a loaded blasting agent mass. The additive additionally contains hydrophobic sensitizers and optional fuels to provide points of adiabatic compression and physically hinder water incursion. When the additive is mixed with ANFO, the resulting blasting agent retains its dry and free pouring characteristics and has enhanced explosive properties over untreated ANFO. While ANFO may not detonate in wet conditions unless protected from water, when admixed with our additive it retains its explosive characteristics and detonation potential after placement in wet environs, to function well either wet or dry.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-in-oil macroemulsion for use in combination with a solid oxidizer in preparing a high density explosive composition. The macroemulsion comprises 1-70% by weight of water, 5-85% by weight of a fuel oil, and 0.1-10% by weight of an emulsifier with an HLB number within the range 0-8. The invention also provides an explosive composition comprising 2-20% by weight of a water-in-oil macroemulsion as just described and 80-98% by weight of a solid oxidizer. The preferred solid oxidizer is selected from the group of ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, ANFO, and mixtures thereof. In addition, water soluble fuels, oil soluble fuels, or solid fuels may be added to the erxplosive composition. The invention further provides a method of preparing a solid oxidizer based explosive having a higher density than that obtainable in a mixture of fuel oil and the solid oxidizers.

Abstract: Sensitized inorganic nitrate mixtures with high brisance are provided in which oxygen balance is attained by the incorporation of aluminum dust and hydrocarbons. Cap sensitivity is achieved by adding an organic nitrate. The resultant mixtures have a low tendency to sweat and cause headaches.

Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition comprising: a discontinuous aqueous oxidizer-phase comprising dissolved therein an oxygen releasing salt component comprising ammonium nitrate; a continuous organic-phase comprising an organic fuel; and an emulsifying agent and characterized in that the oxygen-releasing salt component comprises at least one modifier selected from compounds of elements selected from the group consisting of aluminium, iron and silicon and wherein the oxidizer-phase comprises dissolved therein at least one polycarboxylate compound selected from polycarboxylic acids and salts thereof.

Abstract: In a process for the production of a `water-in-fuel` or `melt-in-fuel` emulsion explosive a density-reducing agent is introduced and dispersed in the emulsion at an elevated temperature whereat the emulsion is essentially liquid, the explosive is cartridged and then subsequently cooled by means of a refrigerated fluid so that the continuous phase solidifies and stabilizes the dispersion of the density-reducing agent in the explosive. Preferably, when the density-reducing agent comprises gas bubbles the explosive is subjected to an elevated pressure before it is cartridged in order to ensure that the sensitivity of the explosive will not be impaired by disturbance of gas bubbles by any pressure drop which might occur during cartridging.

Abstract: A method and an oxidizing composition for preparation of a water-in-oil type emulsion explosive in which a pre-emulsion is formed from a fuel phase and a first part of an oxidizer phase, an oxidizing composition is prepared between a second part of the oxidizer phase and a void containing or void generating material for the explosive whereafter the pre-emulsion and the mixture are emulsified to form the final emulsion.

Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion explosive having a high resistance against dead pressing is obtained by adding a cushioning medium having a high impact energy-absorbing property to a water-in-oil emulsion explosive containing a continuous phase consisting of a carbonaceous fuel, a disperse phase consisting of an aqueous solution of inorganic oxidizer salt and an emulsifier.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic composition for producing a screen for blocking the passage of infra-red radiation and of light, comprises phosphorus, preferably red amorphous phosphorus, dispersed in a binding agent, for example rubber. The composition is produced by forming the binding agent into a gel with solvent, dispersing the phosphorus into the gel, evaporating off solvent, and comminuting the resulting solid material.

Abstract: Certain classes of organic acids, and salts of those acids and in particular ascorbic acid and erythorbic acid and the salts thereof, and mixtures thereof, which have certain antioxidant and food preservative properties, have been found to be capable of being reacted together with sources of nitrate, including inorganic nitrates, ammonium nitrate, organic nitrates, and the like, at temperatures below 480.degree. F. to produce compositions which are capable of being molded into specific shapes or used in a powdered form as a gunpowder substitute, an explosive or a propellent when properly ignited.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a smoke-producing pyrotechnical composition which is designed for the production of a smoke screen that prohibits the transmission of infrared radiance from a target to a pick-up.It includes a compound which generates, through thermal decomposing, carbon particles of which the size is included between about 1 and 14 .mu.m, and an oxidoreducing system which reacts at a temperature that exceeds 1000 degrees C. and a binding agent. The compound which generates carbon particles can be hexachloroethane, hexachlorobenzene, naphtalene, anthracene, or their mixture; the reducing agent can be a metal powder (magnesium) and the oxidizer hexachlorobenzene and/or hexachloroethane.An application to the execution of smoke-producing devices.

Abstract: This invention provides a solid explosive composition comprising a low-water content melt-in-fuel emulsion when prepared at elevated temperature which solidifies on cooling. The emulsion comprises a continuous phase containing water immiscible fuel and emulsifier and a discontinuous phase containing oxidizer salt. A particulate material effective as a nucleating agent is incorporated in the composition to reduce supercooling of the discontinuous phase and to accelerate crystallization of the oxidizer salt.The particulate nucleating agent is preferably colloidal solid particles for example silica or an insoluble salt of aluminium, calcium or barium, which salt may optionally be formed in situ by a double decomposition reaction.The presence of the nucleating agent to accelerate crystallization of the oxidizer enhances the proportion of discrete droplets which remain totally encapsulated in the solidified composition and enables solid products to be obtained from relatively low melting oxidizer salts melts.

Abstract: In emulsion blend explosives, the replacement of coarse salt particles, e.g., prills, by fines, i.e., particles which pass a No. 50 U.S. sieve, increases the water resistance of the explosive without deleteriously affecting its shelf life provided that the explosive, prior to such replacement, is storage-stable as determined by the Salt Extraction and lead compression tests described herein. Products containing a combination of whole and crushed ammonium nitrate prills, and emulsions made with an anionic emulsifying agent such as a fatty acid salt, are preferred. Depending on the fines content and chemical composition, other properties such as sensitivity to initiation and detonation velocity also may be improved.

Abstract: Fuel phase for use as a continuous phase together with a discontinuous aqueous oxidizing salt phase in water-in-oil emulsion explosives, comprising a carbonaceous fuel and at least one but not all components of a gassing system; process for the preparation of a water-in-oil emulsion explosive by emulsifying an aqueous oxidizing salt phase into a carbonaceous fuel phase and introducing into the emulsion voids by using a gassing system, characterized in that at least one but not all components of said gassing system is distributed in at least part of the fuel phase and that the salt phase is then emulsified into the fuel phase containing salt component; and a water-in-oil emulsion explosive system in two-pack form, wherein one pack comprises an aqueous oxidizing salt phase containing at least one but not all components of a gassing system and the other pack comprises a carbonaceous fuel phase containing the remaining components of said gassing system.

Abstract: An emulsion explosive comprising substantially an immiscible discontinuous oxidizer-phase dispersed throughout a continuous fuel phase with a modifier comprising hydrophilic and lipophilic moieties wherein the hydrophilic moiety comprises a carboxylic acid group or a group capable of hydrolyzing to a carboxylic acid, the lipophilic moiety is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain, and wherein the emulsion composition pH is above 4.5.

Abstract: The invention concerns a castable pyrotechnic composition used to produce opaque smoke for impeding the transmission of infrared radiation from a target to a sensor, of the type including a compound generating carbon particles whose dimensions are between 1 and 14 .mu.m.The composition includes a condensed halogenated carbon compound with a melting point between 75.degree. C. and 120.degree. C., with a halogenation ratio greater than 3, such as chloronaphthalene, a fluoro carbon compound such as vinylidene polyfluoride, and a metal powder such as magnesium, reacting together at a temperature of the order of 1500.degree. C.Application is in camouflaging targets emitting infrared radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are water-in-oil type emulsion explosives comprising an aqueous solution of oxidizing agent, an oily material, hollow microspheres and an emulsifier containing from 0.1 to 10% by weight of fatty acid, from 0.1 to 10% by weight of fatty acid soap and from 80 to 99.8% by weight of a fatty acid ester mixture comprising from 0 to 3% by weight of sorbide fatty acid ester, from 5 to 50% by weight of sorbitan fatty acid ester and from 50 to 95% by weight of sorbitol fatty acid ester.

Abstract: Structure for generating nitrogen gas for inflating an air bag vehicle occupant restraint comprises a grain made of an azide based material which generates gas upon combustion. The grain is made of a gas generating material which includes 61-68% by weight of sodium azide, 0-5% by weight of sodium nitrate, 0-5% by weight of bentonite, 23-28% by weight of iron oxide, 1-2% by weight of fumed silica, and from about 2 to about 6% by weight of graphite fibers having a diameter of 3-15 microns and an average length of 40 to 125 thousandths of an inch.

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: In general, this invention relates to smoke-producing pellets for use in a mortar shell.More particularly, this invention relates to an improved process of making smoke-producing pellets for the 81 mm cartridge of the XM819 mortar shell.

Abstract: A microencapsulated curing catalyst for a polymer prepared from an isocyae or functionally terminated polyolefin comprises a catalyst selected from the group consisting of ferric acetylacetonate, dibutyltin dilaurate, the catalyst having a particle size of less than 50 micrometers, and an encapsulating material selected from the group consisting of a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate, a copolymer of propylene and vinyl acetate, and mixtures thereof.