Abstract: Portable mattresses having improved comfort and lower bulk when folded for ransport are provided. The mattresses include generally planar members having corrugations on each face of the planar member. The corrugations are such that the planar members are adapted to be brought into nesting relationship when the mat is folded.

Abstract: This invention is an improved process of making azidodeoxycellulose a hig energetic ingredient for use in a propellant. The process is accomplished by nitrating cellulose to nitrocellulose, converting the nitrocellulose in sequence to the iodine derivative, and finally reacting the iodine derivative of cellulose with sodium azide to produce azidodeoxycellulose having up to about 1.5% residual nitrogen as nitrate groups.

Abstract: Polyvinylazidonitrate and a process of making the same by reacting polyvinitrate with sodium or lithium azide in selected solvents.

Abstract: A high energy explosive composition containing 80 to 95 percent HMX having low susceptibility to sympathetic detonation. The composition also contains between 2.9 to 10 percent cellulose acetate butyrate, 10 to 17.1 percent of 1:1 mixture of bis 2,2-dinitropropyl acetate and bis 2,2-dinitropropyl formal, and 0.5 percent tri (dioctyl phosphato) titanate.

Abstract: A method of simulating a positive response by volatile organophosphorus ers to an ionization detector system which comprises forwarding to the ionization detector system a gaseous stream comprising water vapor and a di(lower alkyl) sulfoxide or a cyclic sulfoxide represented by the formula I: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, in an amount sufficient to elicit a positive response by the ionization detector system.

Abstract: Polyvinylazidonitrate and a process of making the same by reacting polyvinitrate with sodium or lithium azide in selected solvents.

Abstract: A method of pretreating a polyolefin for adhesive bonding. The method inves contacting the polyolefin with a non-chromate solution such as either lead dioxide, potassium iodate or ammonia persulfate in a combination of water and sulfuric acid.

Abstract: A shipboard transportation simulator to simulate rolling motion of a ship transporting ammunition in commercial containers. The cargo containers are mounted above the roll axis and adjustable counterweights are positioned below the axis. A Scotch-yoke structure converts a motor rotary drive to a longitudinal drive to rock the container and counterweights about a roll axis. A platform can also be attached to the Shipboard Transportation Simulator for testing restraint systems for break bulk cargo. The simulator operates continuously over long periods of time to produce the effects of fatigue, the compression of wood fibers, and the stresses on fasteners that tend to cause failures at sea. It is very useful in quickly developing restraining systems that are adequate for the job at the least cost. Provision is made for different rolling angles, different loads, and variable speeds.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for stirring an explosive materials mixture maintained in a molten state to ensure homogeneity of its composition and for simultaneous transfer of predetermined quantities thereof, by effecting the transfers primarily in a horizontal direction, via a plurality of positive displacement piston-cylinder mechanisms and a corresponding plurality of pneumatically controlled spool valves for injection into a plurality of munitions items through detachable intermediate distribution elements that also serve as temporary risers.

Abstract: An improved chemical process is provided for the disposal of scrap nitroculose. The process involves the use of organic sulfhydryl-containing compounds to effect the nitrogen release from the nitrocellulose polymer. The nitrogen released by the application of this procedure is in the form of inorganic nitrite ions. The process is in effect a nucleophilic attack on the nitrocellulose, and is accompanied by cleavage or breakage of the cellulose chain.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for stirring an explosive materials mixe maintained in a molten state to ensure homogeneity of its composition and for transfer of predetermined quantities thereof, by transfers primarily in a horizontal direction, via a positive displacement piston/cylinder system and a pneumatically controlled spool valve for injection into a munitions item through a detachable intermediate element that serves as a temporary riser. An explosive material mixture, containing a molten component and particulate matter which would otherwise precipitate out, is thus delivered in a homogeneous form into an individual munitions item of arbitrary shape and size in an amount controlled to ensure safe and adequate filling of the munitions item, the provision of a small surplus of material to accommodate shrinkage during cooling of the filled explosive material, and limiting the amount of riser scrap that must be collected and disposed subsequent to each such filling.

Abstract: A process for the rapid extraction, separation, and detection of free and total sulfites in food is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of (a) extracting sulfites from a sample in the presence of a medium having a selected pH to produce an extractant; (b) filtering the extractant; (c) subjecting the filtered extractant to anion exclusion chromatography to produce a sulfite-containing effluent; and (d) detecting the proportion of sulfites in the effluent. The process may be used either to determine free sulfites (by performing extraction in the presence of an acid medium), or to determine total sulfites (by performing extraction in the presence of an alkaline medium). The process of the present invention may be used to determine sulfite levels of 1.0 ppm or less.

Abstract: A recuperator system for absorbing the recoil of a gun and returning the to battery comprises a sliding sleeve having a connecting member at one end thereof and a sealing collar at an opposite end thereof. The sealing collar slides against an outer surface of a cylinder which is disposed in the sliding sleeve. A second connecting member is connected to the sealing collar at an end thereof opposite to the first connecting member. The cylinder also carries a further sealing collar at an end adjacent the first connecting member. The further sealing collar is in sealing and sliding engagement with an inner surface of the sleeve and with an outer surface of a hollow piston rod connected to the first connecting member. The hollow piston extends axially within the cylinder and forms part of a Schneider system that contains hydraulic fluid for cushioning the recoil of the gun.A gas space is defined between the cylinder and sleeve and between the collars.

Abstract: An RDX-HMX mixture containing a major amount of RDX is separated into essially pure RDX and essentially pure HMX by first treating the mixture with DMSO to dissolve all the HMX present then recovering the remaining undissolved RDX as an essentially pure material. The dissolved mixture which contains a major amount of HMX and a minor amount of RDX is treated with cyclohexanone to dissolve all the RDX present, then the undissolved HMX remaining in the liquor is recovered as an essentially pure material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for protection from the heat flash of atomic weapons. The invention comprises a nylon net coated with a mixture of neoprene and at least one explosive initiator selected from the group consisting of tetracene, lead styphnate and silver fulminate.

Abstract: In mass production of explosive warheads, heat-meltable explosive material s continuously converted from an amorphous mass into small solid granules by directing melted exposive in a thin continuous stream against the upper inside surface of a rotating, generally bell-shaped vertically symmetrical element. Gravity and centrifugal force move the explosive downwardly on the said surface until it is flung off the bottom rim of the rotating bell element as small droplets. The droplets free-fall inside a surrounding cold air chamber which congeals them into solid granules of the explosive material which can then be loaded into the warheads. In another aspect of the invention, an explosive soluble in warm water, e.g., nitroguanidine, is provided in a contiuous warm water solution flow to the inside surface of the rotating bell-shaped element to generate free-falling solution droplets from its lower rim.

Abstract: This invention is an improved enzymatic process for the removal of nitrite ons from an aqueous solution resulting from the denitration of a nitrate ester. The aqueous solution is treated with an enzyme nitrite reductase resulting from inducement under faculatative anaerobic conditions of pseudomonas sp.

Abstract: Improved small arms ammunition comprising a conventional primed cartridge case and a hollow projectile in tubular geometric form is provided according to the present invention. In accordance with the teachings of this invention, the hollow projectile in tubular geometric form is characterized by a nose of circular cross-section expanding back to the main body of the projectile. The main body of the projectile includes a rotational band about at least a portion of the periphery thereof and is backed by a pusher disc and obturator to seal off the central core of the projectile so that propulsive force may be imparted thereto. The tubular projectile is lighter than its comparable conventional counterparts, exhibits gyroscopic stability and is capable of being fired at higher muzzle velocities and producing less recoil than that associated with conventional small arms ammunition while at the same time depositing a great amount of kinetic energy upon impacting the target.

Abstract: A projectile capable of detecting toxic agents in the atmosphere at long ge, particularly halogen containing materials, containing therein a pyrotechnic composition comprising magnesium, calcium resinate and strontium nitrate. The projectile has an orifice therethrough along its longitudinal axis to enable the projectile to sample the atmosphere as it travels therethrough.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to an electrodeposited chromium composite having ternating layers of high contraction and low contraction chromium. The laminated composite properties are enhanced because of thin layers of the same metal existing under different states of hardness, stress, orientation and microstructure. Thin layers of HC chromium are produced with a random orientation, low residual stress, and crack-free structure. The alternating LC chromium layers tend to duplicate the random structure of HC chromium through epitaxial growth. Accordingly, crack-free laminated chromium are produced having hardness values ranging from 655 to 1084 Knoop Hardness Numbers. By comparison, conventional high-contraction chromium shows hardness values between 1000 and 1100 KHN. However, the latter deposits are invariably micro-cracked.