Abstract: A nitrogen-free gas generator 10 includes an autoignition composition that contains an alkali metal chlorate such as potassium chlorate as an oxidizer, a carboxylic acid such as DL tartaric acid as a fuel, and a desiccant in operable communication therewith. Gas generating systems 180 such as vehicle occupant protection systems 180, containing the gas generator 10, are also provided.

Abstract: A cool-burning, smoke-generating signaling composition free of oxidized-carbon burning rate accelerant or a magnesium carbonate coolant, wherein the composition comprises a mixture of potassium bromate, KCYAH, an augmenting organic fuel, a solid particulate with selected signaling characteristics, and a polyvinyl alcohol binder.

Abstract: A gas generating composition of the present invention contains at least one fuel selected from carboxylic acids, salts of carboxylic acids, and polymers; at least one perchlorate salt; and/or at least one metal oxide or metal hydroxide. A gas generating system 200 containing a gas generant in accordance with the present invention is also contemplated.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided an impact initiated pyrotechnic target including an impact initiated pyrotechnic composition which can be initiated by the impact of an inert projectile, said pyrotechnic composition including: an oxidising agent; optionally, a fuel or reducing agent; a sensitiser in the form of a sulfur containing compound; and optionally, a binder.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic composition useful for gunpowder, propellant or explosive purposes, which comprises an organic acid such as ascorbic or erythorbic acid, a nitrate salt oxidizer, and about 6-15% of potassium perchlorate, has improved properties including reduced residue.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a primary/detonator composition suitable for use in an automobile airbag system. The composition may safely be housed in aluminum support structures (a/k/a cups).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a primary/detonator composition suitable for use in an automobile airbag system. The composition may safely be housed in a copper support structure (a/k/a cups).

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: An illuminating non-metallic pyrotechnic composition is disclosed which consists essentially of, expressed in absolute weight units: (a) from about 51 to 61 parts of strontium nitrate, (b) from about 15 to 25 parts of potassium perchlorate, (c) from about 15 to 25 parts of sulfur, (d) about 3 parts of sodium nitrate, and (e) about 2 parts of uintaite. Optimum flare luminosity is achieved when the composition is essentially free of other fuel constituents, such as dextrin, nitrocellulose charcoal. A flare is disclosed comprising the disclosed pyrotechnic composition.

Abstract: A solid propellant acts in a chamber to propel a member such as a rocket, the chamber being closed to the atmosphere. The propellant provides high density-impulses and, when combusted, produces end products which do not have any deleterious effects. The propellant preferably includes a binder having hydrocarbon linkages and a lead compound oxidizer formed from an inorganic lead oxidizer salt. This oxidizer has dense characteristics and stable properties at ambient temperatures and through a particular range of temperatures above ambient. The propellant also includes a fuel additive, preferably a metal such as aluminum, having properties of being oxidized by the oxidizer and of reducing the lead. The fuel additive has a percentage by weight relative to the lead compound oxidizer to reduce the lead to lead oxide. The fuel additive is preferably included in the propellant in the range to approximately twenty percent (20%) by weight and is preferably in a fragmentary form.

Abstract: A gas-retaining agent consisting of bubble assemblies, each bubble assembly being one particle consisting of a large number of bubbles agglomerated into the particle, is effective for improving the safety of water-in-oil emulsion explosive compositions against methane and coal dust, for improving the sympathetic detonability of the explosive compositions and for lowering their detonation velocity without deteriorating their strength.

Abstract: This invention concerns a dynamite type explosive composition which comprises at least one liquid explosive nitric ester and an emulsion composition comprising an oxygen-releasing salt phase, an organic phase and an emulsifier. The invention provides dynamite type compositions in which the amount of liquid explosive nitric ester can be significantly reduced without adversely affecting the performance and physical properties of the composition.

Abstract: This invention concerns a water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition which comprises a discontinuous aqueous phase containing one or more oxygen-releasing salts, a continuous water-immiscible organic phase comprising sump oil, and an emulsifying agent. The explosive compositions show improved sensitivity over conventional compositions made using paraffin oil as the organic phase.

Abstract: This application relates to the art of pyrotechnics and specifically concerns an improvement in the process for preparing granulated pyrotechnic compositions.

Abstract: A chemical gas generant mixture of carbon, an oxidizer which does not contain hydrogen and, optionally, a carbonate or other coolant.

Abstract: An ignition enhancer coating composition for pyrotechnic propellants comprised of about 60 to 95 wt. % of an inorganic oxidizer; about 5 to 20 wt. % of an oxygen-containing polymeric compound; about 0 to 10 wt. % polyethylene; about 0 to 10 wt. % of a transition-metal oxide; and about 0 to 5 wt. % carbon black. This invention also relates to a pyrotechnic propellant coated with said ignition enhancer composition.

Abstract: An ignition enhancer coating composition for alkali metal azide pyrotechnic propellant compositions comprised of about 2 to 15 weight percent of an oxygen-containing polymeric compound; about 20 to 50 weight percent of an alkali metal azide; and about 40 to 80 weight percent of an inorganic oxidizer. This invention also relates to a pyrotechnic propellant coated with said ignition enhancer composition.

Abstract: Starch is used as a fuel/binder in pyrotechnic propellant compositions suitable for use in vehicle safety restraint systems.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic gas generating composition comprising a fuel and an oxidizer, the composition upon combustion generating a gas and a non-gaseous composition comprising a metallic salt or oxide, the metallic salt or oxide being a highly flowable liquid at the flame temperature of the composition upon combustion, and a viscosity modifier which is present in an amount to render the liquid substantially non-flowable at the flame temperature. Also disclosed is a method of inflating an inflatable device, such as a vehicle safety restraint, comprising the step of substantially completely inflating the device with the gaseous composition products of combustion of the pyrotechnic composition, whereby the metallic salt or oxide is substantially prevented from entering the device.

Abstract: Use of high density polyethylene as a fuel/binder in pyrotechnic compositions suitable for use in inflating vehicle occupant safety restraints.

Abstract: 1. A solid, pyrotechnic composition for dissemination of 3-quinuclidinyl zylete, said composition consisting essentially of 3-quinuclidinyl benzylete and an oxidizer selected from the group consisting of ammonium and alkali metal chlorates and perchlorates, incorporated in a solid foamed polyurethane binder.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic composition comprising:About 15 to 30% by weight of tartaric acid;About 40 to 75% by weight of sodium chlorate; andAbout 10 to 30% by weight of calcium hydroxide.The invention also relates to a method of inflating an inflatable automobile safety restraint comprising the step of substantially completely inflating the restraint with the gaseous composition products of combustion of a composition comprising:About 15 to 30% by weight of tartaric acid;About 40 to 75% by weight of sodium chlorate; andAbout 10 to 30% by weight of calcium hydroxide.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic composition comprising:About 1 to 20% by weight of a thermoplastic resin selected from the group consisting of polyacetal resins, polyvinyl acetate resins and mixtures thereof;About 30 to 80% by weight of an alkali metal chlorite, such as sodium chlorite or potassium chlorite; andAbout 20 to 60% by weight of a coolant selected from the group consisting of calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Gas-forming deflagrating compositions which produce relatively low peak pressures and impart high velocity to projectiles are formed by incorporation of from about 1 to about 25 percent of water in an oxidizer-fuel mixture.

Abstract: Water-in-oil explosive compositions are provided which are No. 6 cap sensitive in cartridges having diameters of 1.25 inches and less and which contain from about 3.5 to about 8% by weight of a hydrocarbon fuel including an emulsifier, from about 10 to about 22% by weight of water, from about 0.25 to about 15% by weight of closed cell void containing materials, from about 65 to about 85% by weight of inorganic oxidizer salt, optionally, up to about 15% by weight of an auxiliary fuel and no explosive ingredients nor detonation catalysts.

Abstract: This invention describes a method of preparation of sensitized dry blasting agents comprising a mixture of granular/powder ammonium nitrate with or without Sodium Nitrate, Potassium Nitrate, Calcium Nitrate, etc. fuel(s), and at least one sensitizer. The aid sensitizer is selected from the group comprising nitrate, chlorate, perchlorate and an organic derivative of a metal, which can exhibit variable valency and whose oxides and hydroxides are weakly basic in nature, e.g., iron, cobalt, nickel, chromium, copper, lead, etc.Unlike the dry blasting agents known in prior art, the sensitized dry blasting agents can be detonated in small diameter boreholes with a generally available low strength detonator or specially made powerful detonator.

Abstract: Cooled gas generating solid propellant, includes sodium azide or lithium de as a nitrogen gas source, a fluorocarbon binder material, a combustion catalyst, and alkaline metal acid salt coolant.

Abstract: A slurry explosive composition comprising an inorganic oxidizing acid salt, water, a combustible material, a thickener, a nitroparaffin and an amide is very sensitive and stable, and can be detonated at low temperature without the use of primer.

Abstract: A blue-burning pyrotechnic tracer mix which provides a smoke trail even ar the blue flame is no longer visible to thus extend the visible range of the projectile in which the mixture is employed, the pyrotechnic mixture comprising by weight percent: 6-10% potassium perchlorate, 11-18% magnesium, 10-20% cupric chloride anhydrous, 35-45% barium nitrate, 12-18% hexachlorobenzene, 5-10% sulfur.

Abstract: A chemical gas generant mixture of carbon, an oxidizer which does not contain hydrogen and, optionally, a carbonate or other coolant.

Abstract: A friction igniter assembly for high altitude operation having a pull wire oated with a scratch sensitive composition which is moved through a chlorate composition. The scratch sensitive composition containing red phosphorus reacts with the chlorate to provide a flash which transfers ignition to an adjacent boron-lead dioxide composition. The boron-lead dioxide composition is the main igniting charge and provides an intense output of heat in a very short time for igniting a pyrotechnic composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pyrotechnic composition and a method for the inflation of passive restraint systems, i.e., crash bags. The method utilizes gases produced by the ignition and burning of a pyrotechnic composition containing an alkali metal azide, a metal halide and an inorganic perchlorate.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a black powder type pyrotechnic composit comprising potassium nitrate, sulfur and an organic crystalline compound as a fuel in place of the charcoal conventionally employed. The organic compound contains at least one hydroxyl group or carboxyl group, including salts thereof, attached to an aromatic, e.g. benzene ring, and contains 75 (.+-.20) percent carbon, 25 (.+-.20) percent oxygen, 5 (.+-.5) percent hydrogen and up to 20 percent of other elements, on a weight percent basis.

Abstract: Low (thermal) Vulnerability Ammunition or LOVA is more responsive to the rmal stimulation of the igniter compositions disclosed herein. The igniter compositions of this invention generate oxygen rich flames upon decomposition. Such igniter compositions comprise nitrocellulose, nitroglycerine, potassium perchlorate and ethyl centralite. An agent comprising one or more titanate salts and/or carbon black may optionally be included in such compositions to the extent of about 0.35% w/w. Such compositions can be extruded and utilized in strand form.