Abstract: An improved method of coating crystalline high explosives with polyethylene ax comprising:(a) forming a loose slurry of finely divided crystalline explosive particles in water;(b) adding an emulsion of(1) an emulsifiable polyethylene wax,(2) potassium stearate,(3) KOH, and(4) water to the slurry;(c) heating the slurry-emulsion mixture to a temperature in the range of from about 92.degree. C. to about 98.degree. C. with stirring;(d) adding enough acetic acid to the slurry-emulsion mixture to lower the pH to about 6 with stirring;(e) cooling the resulting solution; and(f) isolating the product polyethylene wax coated high explosive particles.

Abstract: An improved water dispersible aluminum powder composition containing from 0.1% to less than 5% of a polyvinylpyrrolidone resin, and processes for its preparation are disclosed. This composition has the advantages that, in comparison to known compositions containing higher levels of polyvinylpyrrolidone, it can be more completely separated from hydrocarbons, and, when used as a water based slurry blasting agent sensitizer is effective in smaller diameter bore holes.

Abstract: Aluminum powder compositions, and methods for their preparation, comprising fine particle size aluminum powder, a polyvinylpyrrolidone resin in an amount of 5% to 20%, based on the aluminum, and either a hydrocarbon or a polar liquid medium in an amount of 30% to 50%, based on the aluminum, are described. These compositions find use as sensitizers in slurry-type blasting agents. Compared to known compositions, they are both dust free and substantially non-reactive, on storage, toward the aqueous milieu of such a slurry.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with porous metal agglomerates suitable for use in metal fuels and consisting of combustible powders of nodular, flaky, irregular or acicular shape and preferably a mixture of aluminium and silicon although aluminium, aluminium alloy or aluminium mixed with silicon, magnesium or iron or alloys of these metals can be used. The powder is of 0 to 500 microns size range or a cut thereof and is granulated with a synthetic resin binder by build-up to a porous agglomerate having a size range of 100 to 2500 microns and an apparent density of between 0,4 and 1,1.

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 aluminum, magnesium, calcium or zinc salt of an alkyl-, cycloalkyl-, aryl- or aralkylphosphonic acid having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, the metal compound being present in the homogeneous blend in a proportion of about 0.5 to 5 weight %.

Abstract: An explosive composition with enhanced thermal stability and decreased imt sensitivity comprising an explosive material completely surrounded by a layer of guanidinium picrate.

Abstract: Improved tracer rounds and compositions therefor comprising a rubbery, particulate mixture having magnesium, polytetrafluoroethylene and advantageously other ingredients coated with copolymer of hexafluoropropylene and vinylidenefluoride, optionally containing ingredients such as carbon black, and providing advantages in preparation (e.g., lower consolidation pressures) and use (e.g., more uniform burning after ignition).

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: Pyrotechnic compositions having a decreased susceptibility to external influences are obtained by suspending pyrotechnic particles in a dilute solution of a coating polymer and adding a second polymer which is more soluble in the solvent, so that microdroplets of the coating polymer are formed, completely enclosing the pyrotechnic particles. The coated particles are hardened by exposure to air, optionally in the presence of a hardening catalyst.