Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition containing specifically limited hollow microspheres consisting of neutral or weakly acidic hollow microspheres coated with a coating material has a high consistency without deteriorating its storage stability in initiation sensitivity in a small diameter cartridge, and can be safely and easily handled.

Abstract: The invention provides stabilized pulverulent red phosphorus. It comprises a homogeneous blend of red phosphorus particles with a size of at most about 2 mm and a metal compound of the second or third group of the Periodic System as an oxidation stabilizer, wherein the metal compound is the neutral aluminum, magnesium, calcium or zinc salt of orthophosphoric acid, the metal compound being present in the homogeneous blend in a proportion of about 0.5 to 5 weight %.

Abstract: A sensitizing agent for explosive compositions is provided which comprises particulate aluminum coated with a finely divided hydrophobic fumed silica. Upon incorporation of the hydrophobic material coated aluminum into an aqueous gel explosive composition, relatively large air bubbles, as compared to the size of the individual particles of aluminum, form adjacent the surface of the aluminum. The resulting sensitizing complex includes a relatively large air bubble in close proximity to particulate aluminum, thereby providing a combination which imparts greater sensitivity to the explosive composition.

Abstract: A smokeless gas generator composition with an oxygenated binder such as a polyester or a polyether allows higher binder content with less solid oxidizer additives such as guanidine nitrate or ammonium nitrate and allows the composition to be cast.

Abstract: A free-flowing explosive composition exhibiting high brisance and high blasting power is described, comprising 35-80% by weight TNT, 10-30% by weight aluminum and 0-45% by weight RDX, in spheroidal prill form.

Abstract: An explosive grade aluminium composition comprises an admixture of aluminium powder and a subdivided carrier therefor having a bulk density less than or equal to that of the aluminium powder and wherein at least part of the powder adheres to the carrier, a coating agent being optionally included in the admixture to facilitate the adhesion of the powder to the carrier.

Abstract: A method of rebuilding the eroded area of an ingot mold such as used in casting steel ingots places a metal producing exothermic compound in a cleaned eroded area of the ingot mold to be rebuilt, ignites the compound and confines the molten metal produced by the exothermic reaction to the eroded area where it forms a welded bond with the metal of the ingot mold and fills the eroded area. A protective metal coating of a suitable welding rod metal may be deposited by electric arc or flame welding on the metal patch formed of the exothermic material.

Abstract: A method for improving the ballistic properties of aluminum powder based rocket propellants by treating the aluminum powder with hydrogen fluoride gas prior to its incorporation into a propellant formulation.

Abstract: Aluminum particles are coated with a composition containing 84 .+-. 3 wei percent desensitizing wax, 2 .+-. 0.5 weight percent lecithin and 14 .+-. 1 weight percent nitrocellulose prior to being mixed with other ingredients of an explosive composition in a bomb manufacturing process in order to eliminate the possibility of dust explosions occurring during the bomb manufacturing process.

Abstract: Fuel-rich propellant compositions, for use in air-augmented rocket propulsion, containing a high-energy fuel component in the form of finely-divided boron, wherein the boron is present in large excess of the amount oxidizable during combustion of the propellant. A major portion of the boron is ejected, largely as free boron particles, together with the combustion products of the propellant and is burned downstream of the propellant by ram air injected into an afterburner combustion zone. The propellant additionally comprises an organic fuel binder comprising an organic polymer, and an inorganic oxidizer salt, preferably ammonium perchlorate, in an amount at least sufficient to maintain stable combustion of the propellant at desired combustion chamber pressures. The propellant compositions may additionally contain small amounts of Mg, Al, or Zr metal as ballistic or afterburner combustion modifiers.

Abstract: A method for coating boron particles with ammonium perchlorate. The method involves the steps of dissolving ammonium perchlorate in liquid ammonia, adding a volatile non-solvent diluent and boron particles to the ammonia and then vaporizing the ammonia and diluent to form a coated product.

Abstract: The caking tendency of ammonium salt compositions during storage is reduced by coating the compositions with a minor amount of a hydroxy-aluminum polymer.

Abstract: A method for improving the combustion efficiency, i.e. increasing the burning rate, of propellant, flare, and other pyrotechnic compositions is disclosed which comprises using at least some ammonium perchlorate oxidizer coated with aluminum metal in place of a mere mixture of aluminum and ammonium perchlorate. The resultant compositions have increased burning rate in comparison to mere mixtures of ammonium perchlorate and aluminum.