Abstract: Some variations provide a method of making a nanofunctionalized metal powder, comprising: providing metal particles containing metals selected from aluminum, iron, nickel, copper, titanium, magnesium, zinc, silicon, lithium, silver, chromium, manganese, vanadium, bismuth, gallium, or lead; providing nanoparticles selected from zirconium, tantalum, niobium, or titanium; disposing the nanoparticles onto surfaces of the metal particles, in the presence of mixing media, thereby generating nanofunctionalized metal particles; and isolating and recovering the nanofunctionalized metal particles as a nanofunctionalized metal powder. Some variations provide a composition comprising a nanofunctionalized metal powder, the composition comprising metal particles and nanoparticles containing one or more elements selected from the group consisting of zirconium, tantalum, niobium, titanium, and oxides, nitrides, hydrides, carbides, or borides thereof, or combinations of the foregoing.

Abstract: An insensitive crystalline high explosive molding powder, usable as a booster HE. The subject insensitive crystalline high explosive molding powder being manufactured by adding the crystalline high explosive, and a polymer or wax based binder to a solvent to form a solution, spray drying the solution to drive off the solvent, thereby co-precipitating the HE and binder to form granules in which the crystals of HE are uniformly distributed in the binder.

Abstract: A method of forming composite materials includes mixing a first metal precursor with a chelating agent to form a first metal-chelate complex. The first metal-chelate complex is added to a polymer binder having terminating hydroxyl groups to form a polymer binder-first metal-chelate. The polymer binder first metal-chelate complex is mixed with an aluminum precursor. The aluminum precursor decomposes forming aluminum nanoparticles dispersed in a continuous phase material having metallic aluminum cores. At least one of the first metal-chelate complex and the first metal is dissolved in the continuous phase. The aluminum nanoparticles can have a passivating coating layer thereon provided by the polymer binder, or can have a passivating coating layer formed by including an epoxide, alcohol, carboxylic acid, or amine in the adding that forms passivating compound(s) which add further protection that can provide complete protection from oxidation of the metallic aluminum cores by air.

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: Insensitive munition-type explosive material and methods for forming insensitive munition-type explosive material are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, an insensitive munition-type explosive material comprises a particle of BNCP and a surfactant-comprising shell that encapsulates the particle of BNCP.

Abstract: A process for manufacture of explosive formulations containing a halogenated wax binder, involving dilution of the halogenated wax in a non-aqueous lacquer, slurring the explosive in an aqueous solution and applying heat and vacuum to yield a granular explosive which provides complete coating to avoid hot spots and is quickly pressable at lower temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A process for manufacture of explosive formulations containing a halogenated wax binder, involving dilution of the halogenated wax in a non-aqueous lacquer, slurring the explosive in an aqueous solution and applying heat and vacuum to yield a granular explosive which provides complete coating to avoid hot spots and is quickly pressable at lower temperature and pressure.

Abstract: An energetic material comprises an energetic crystalline material substantially coated in an energetic plasticiser material. Advantageously the energetic material comprises from 90 to 99% by weight of an energetic crystalline material and from 1 to 10% by weight of an energetic plasticiser material comprising a plasticiser selected from the group comprising Butane Triol trinitrate (BUN), Trimethylanol ethane trinitrate (TMETN), Diazidonitrazapentane (DANPE), Glycidyl Azide Polymer (Azide Derivative) (GAP Azide), Bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal (BDNPA/F) or mixtures of two or more of these plasticisers. The inventors have found that the combination of just a small quantity of energetic plasticiser material to the energetic crystalline material prior to incorporation into the bulk plasticiser, binder and filler mixture of an explosive or propellant composition has unexpected and advantageous effects.

Abstract: An electrostatic charge dissipation composition having at least one energetic particle component and at least one oxidized electrically active polymer deposited on the energetic component. In another embodiment, the electrostatic charge dissipation composition includes at least one energetic particle component, at least one non-conducting polymer binder, and at least one oxidized electrically active polymer deposited on the energetic/binder composition.

Abstract: An electrostatic charge dissipation composition having at least one energetic particle component and at least one oxidized electrically active polymer deposited on the energetic component. In another embodiment, the electrostatic charge dissipation composition includes at least one energetic particle component, at least one non-conducting polymer binder, and at least one oxidized electrically active polymer deposited on the energetic/binder composition.

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: An electrostatic charge reduction system including a composition having at least one energetic particle component with or without a non-conducting binder, and conducting polymer or electrically neutral polymer deposited on the energetic component in its oxidized form. The oxidation of the polymer occurs during or after the polymer deposition process.

Abstract: The compositions of different energetic metallic particles and corresponding coatings are chosen to take advantage of the resulting exothermic alloying reactions when the metals are combined or alloyed through heat activation. Bimetallic particles composed of a core/shell structure of differing metals are chosen such that, upon achieving the melt point for at least one of the metals, a relatively substantial amount of exothermic heat of alloying is liberated. In an embodiment, the core metal is aluminum and the shell metal is nickel. The nickel may be applied to the outer surface of the aluminum particles using an electroless process from a metal salt solution with a reducing agent in an aqueous solution or a solvent media. The aluminum particles may be pretreated with zinc to remove any aluminum oxide. The resulting bimetallic particles may be utilized as an enhanced blast additive by being dispersed within an explosive material.

Abstract: A heat generating structure includes a substrate of a first material and a second material coating at least a portion and preferably all of the first material, where the second material is different from the first material. The structure also includes an additional material or compound such as ammonia borane that is impregnated or located within the structure. When the structure is thermally energized, the first and second materials react with each other in an exothermic and self-sustaining reaction that pyrolyzes the impregnated ammonia borane compound to create a target gas, for example, hydrogen from the ammonia borane. An additional material, for example, a thermite, may be interposed between the structure and the ammonia borane to facilitate the ignition of the ammonia borane.

Abstract: A flexible inflator for an inflation assembly and related gas generating propellant compositions are provided. The flexible inflator includes at least one elongated strand of a propellant co-extruded with a moisture barrier. The propellant compositions are adapted for co-extrusion with a plastic sheath which forms the moisture barrier surrounding the propellant and include a binder fuel component effective to render the composition flexible and to impart sufficient adhesive properties such that the propellant composition and the plastic sheath adhere together, and an oxidizer.

Abstract: A main energetic ingredient filler useful for propellant-based munitions, comprising filler particles having a fine particle size of less than about 10 micrometers diameter and a thin coating of graphite on the filler particles in an amount such that the weight of the graphite is less than about two percent of the weight of the filler particles. Preferred filler particles have a fine particle size of less than about ten micrometers diameter, and most preferred are fillers with a particle size having an average particle diameter ranging from about two to about eight micrometers. The preferred filler is selected from the group consisting of CL-20, TNAZ, NQ, RDX, HMX and mixtures thereof. Most preferred is a filler of CL-20 ground to an average particle diameter of about five to ten micrometers. The preferred amount of graphite comprises about one percent by weight of the filler particles. The filler may be formed into a propellant including a binder and a plasticizer.

Abstract: A pyrotechnical object is made by compressing a pyrotechnical mass, and introducing into the mass an ignition and combustion accelerator in the form of a propellant powder. The propellant powder could be mixed with the mass prior to compression. Alternatively, the propellant powder could be pressed into an ignition surface of the mass after the pressing. The propellant powder may comprise basic cellulose and/or nitro-cellulose.

Abstract: A combustion inhibiting composition for use in conjunction with a solid, gas-generating charge, the composition comprising an organic polymeric material containing an oxygen-containing organic filler compatible with said polymeric material, the oxygen to carbon atom ratio of the composition being at least 1:3.

Abstract: Solid energetic compositions are prepared from powdered solid components such as metallic aluminum fuel and liquid oxidizers by forming a coating of polyvinyl alcohol over the powdered solid by precipitation from a solution of polyvinyl acetate, and combining the coated particles with liquid oxidizer which will permeate and swell the particle coating, causing the particles to agglomerate into a solid rubbery mass.

Abstract: The stability of porous solid high explosives, for purposes of transport or storage, is enhanced by reducing the sensitivity to shock initiation of a reaction that leads to detonation. The pores of the explosive down to a certain size are filled under pressure with a stable, low melt temperature material in liquid form, and the combined material is cooled so the pore filling material solidifies. The stability can be increased to progressively higher levels by filling smaller pores. The pore filling material can be removed, at least partially, by reheating above its melt temperature and drained off so that the explosive is once more suitable for detonation.

Abstract: Unsupported, compressed propellant charge elements of nitrocellulose grains, as well as propellant charges produced from these propellant charge elements are produced by coating the grains with an acrylate resin and shaping the grains into cylindrical elements. The novel propellant charge elements are manufactured practically without concomitant use of binders or adhesives; they have a cylindrical configuration and contain a coaxial, continuous bore. These elements are suitable as building blocks for propellant charges in ammunition, e.g., for machinegun-type cannons. These building blocks can be used in a very simple form economically directly for the manufacturing of such ammunition. These novel charges contain at least three of the novel propellant charge elements; in this connection, the combustion of these charges can be adjusted at will by varying the propellant charge elements in order to obtain optimum combustion properties.

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: A process for the production of plastic-bonded explosive substances wherein the binder is applied from aqueous dispersion is characterized in that polyurethanes applied in the absence of organic solvents are used as binder and in that the granulates obtained are dried and then compressed. Explosive substances obtained by the process are also provided.

Abstract: Gun propellant is coated with an oligomer having the structure: ##STR1## wherein R is --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Si(OCH.sub.3).sub.3 ; wherein n s an integer of from 5 to 50 and wherein m is an integer of from 1 to 5. The purpose of the coating is to decrease the peak pressure produced but make the pressure that is produced last longer.

Abstract: This invention teaches a method and the resultant product of preparing consolidated propellant charges that incorporate an integral ignition compound, specifically certain simple salts of decahydrodecaboric acid and coprecipitates of these salts with an oxidizer. The charges so prepared exhibit substantially improved ignition and breakup compared to untreated charges, especially at low temperature, because each of the individual consolidated grains are surrounded by the salts taught herein.

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: This invention teaches preparation of individual and uncoated propellant grains by incorporating a coating or integral layer of ignition compound, specifically simple salts of decahydrodecaboric acid and coprecipitates of these salts with an oxidizer. The resulting propellant grains so prepared exhibit substantially improved ignition capability, virtually independent of ambient conditioning temperature conditions at the time of use.

Abstract: 1. A surface-inhibited propellent charge comprising a charge of propellent composition having bonded to at least part of its surface an inhibiting layer comprising silicone rubber supported on biaxially-stretchable glass fabric.