Abstract: A method of preparing a thermoplastic elastomer having A blocks and at least one B block, wherein said A blocks are crystalline at temperatures below about 60.degree. C. and said B block(s) is amorphous at temperatures above about -20.degree. C., said A blocks each being polyethers derived from monomers of oxetane and its derivatives and/or tetrahydrofuran and its derivatives, the method comprisingproviding hydroxyl terminated A blocks which are crystalline at temperatures below about 60.degree. C. and separately providing hydroxyl terminated B blocks which are amorphous at temperatures above about -20.degree. C.

Abstract: A forced air, ambient temperature, evaporator coupled to an electroless copper plating bath and to a purification system for replenishing and maintaining the stability of the plating bath, which bath tends to become depleted as the result of the reduction of water soluble cupric salt in an alkaline solution under copper plating and reducing conditions and in which the rate of evaporation of water from the surface thereof is insufficient to preclude growth in the volume thereof resulting from liquid additions thereto required to replace consumed constituents, thus giving rise to a need for bailout to prevent overflow thereof, solves the following problems: evaporation is independent of plating bath geometry; very high evaporation rates enable bailout to be zero at all plating loadings and plating thicknesses; the high evaporation rates provide sufficient cooling whereby the electroless copper solution can be introduced directly to the purification system with no additional cooling; dragout losses may be comple

Abstract: Polyethers are formed by polymerizing oxetanes having one or two pendant groups which contain cyano moieties, particularly 3-cyanomethyl-3-methyl oxetane and 3,3-Bis(cyanomethyl) oxetane. The polyethers may also contain mer units derived from other cyclic ethers, including other oxetanes and tetrahydrofurans. The cyano group gives the polyether improved compatibility with nitrate ester plasticizers. The polyethers are curable with polyfunctional isocyanates to form binders for propellants, explosives or the like.

Abstract: Process for forming a liner and cast propellant charge in a rocket engine casing without separately precuring the liner, comprising the steps of providing a blocked curable liner composition which is the reaction product of a prepolymer, an isocyanate curing agent, and a blocking agent; applying the liner composition to an internal surface of a rocket casing; preheating the casing and liner assembly to simultaneously prepare the assembly for receiving a propellant, unblock the liner, and precure the liner to a tacky state; casting the propellant change into interfacial contact with the liner; and cocuring the liner and propellant compositions. The blocked, curable liner composition has a very long pot life which is terminated by heating the composition sufficiently to uncouple the blocking agent from the isocyanate curing agent and initiate a rapid cure. The liner composition does not require precuring, as it is unblocked by preheating the liner and rocket casing sufficiently to receive to cast propellant.

Abstract: Composite solid propellants are provided containing, in an amount effective to reduce the burning rate of the propellant, at least one bitetrazole compound.

Abstract: A rapid burning propellant charge for applications including igniters, launch eject motors, and gas generators for automobile air gags. The propellant charge comprises a reticulated substrate having a quantity of interconnected ligaments and a coating of solid propellant material on the ligaments. In order to provide a large amount of surface area for a fast burn time, interstices are between coated ligaments to define propellant surface area for combustion. In applications where minimum smoke is desired, the reticulated substrate is preferably composed of carbon, graphite, or a non-combustible material, and the solid propellant material is preferably a minimum smoke type.

Abstract: A gas generator which has a high volume combustion chamber for increased gas production and which is sized small enough to be confined within a vehicle steering wheel circumference with a minimum impact on the aesthetics of the steering wheel and general interior of the vehicle is used for inflating a vehicle inflatable restraint cushion in the event of an accident. The inflater is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a centrally disposed combustion chamber flanked by a pair of diffuser chambers.

Abstract: A safe and arm device is responsive to electrical signals by way of two solenoids that push and pull, respectively, an arm to rotate, in turn, each of a series of three cogwheels by steps. When each of the cogwheels has been rotated a given number of steps prescribed by a secret code, slots or cutouts in each of the cogwheels are aligned to permit passage therethrough of an elongated bar or rack that can then operate or enable a switch or other mechanism to fire a rocket motor, etc.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing solid propellant from a rocket motor case. Water is heated to a temperature of at least about 150.degree. Fahrenheit, pressurized to a pressure within the range of about 600 to 1200 psi, focused into a jet, and directed while moving relative to the propellant surface at an angle relative to the propellant surface which is in the range of about 15 to 45 degrees from a stand-off distance of up to about 20 inches.

Abstract: A circular slit plate having slits therein that are symmetrically positioned and originate near the center of the plate and extend radially toward the outer diameter thereof is used to deaerate solid rocket motor propellant and to provide a uniform propellant flow distribution during rocket motor casting.

Abstract: Surface-conforming materials, such as sheets, ribbons, tapes or moldable material may be adhered to a wide variety of underwater target surfaces with a cyanoacrylate adhesive. The cyanoacrylate adhesive is evacuated from it container under water, applied to a surface of the surface-conforming material, and then the surface-conforming material is pressed against the target surface for a relatively short period of time. The method provides a method, for example, of attaching a plastic explosive to the hull of a ship entirely under water.

Abstract: Objects may be bonded to target surfaces of a variety of materials, including rough surfaces, surfaces at temperatures down to -40.degree. F. and surfaces submerged under water, by securing a sheet of compliant material to the object, applying cyanoacylate to the exposed surface of compliant material and pressing the object against the target surface for a time sufficient to establish a cure of the cyanoacrylate adequate to support the object from the target surface.

Abstract: A process for depositing a gallium nitride film on a substrate. A source compound is provided which has the formula:H.sub.3 GaNR.sub.3Each R is independently selected from alkyl groups having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. The source compound is conveyed into a deposition chamber containing a substrate. The source compound, maintained in the gaseous phase, decomposes in the deposition chamber and optionally reacts with other materals in the deposition chamber. Gallium nitride is deposited on the substrate as a result.

Abstract: For providing biocides in concentrated, immobilized form to an end use resin composition containing a primary thermoplastic resin with which the primary resin is incompatible at high concentrations, solid biocide resin concentrates are provided which immobilize high concentrations of biocide. The solid biocide resin concentrates may contain an alloy of two thermoplastic resins, one of which is substantially identical to the primary resin and one of which enables incorporation and immobilization of high concentrations of biocide in the solid biocide resin concentrates. The solid biocide resin concentrate may contain, in whole or in part, a thermoplastic copolymer having mer units such as are present in the primary resin in addition to dissimilar mer units which enhance compatibility of the biocide with the copolymer.

Abstract: Compositions comprising an impermeable acrylate-terminated oligomer, a reactive diluent, and 2-hydroxycyclohexylphenone, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-1-one, or diethoxyacetophenone as a photoinitiator, are disclosed. These compositions have utility in optical coatings and electrical insulation.

Abstract: An improved high yield process and apparatus for producing sodium hydrosulfite by reacting sodium borohydride, sulfur dioxide, sodium hydroxide and sodium bisulfite is disclosed. A continuously recirculating split process stream may be used along with control of pH, temperatures, and concentration parameters to obtain sodium hydrosulfite yields in excess of 85%.

Abstract: A rocket motor extendible nozzle is made by folding a sheet stock (metal, etc.) development of a membrane in the form of a cone or conical frustum (with a straight meridian) in such manner that the aft or larger diameter region of the membrane that is constructed by joining the two longitudinal edges may be collapsed for stowage with vastly reduced overall length, maximum diameter, and with substantially increased rigidity in comparison with the fully deployed unit. In the stowed condition, the material comprising the aft portion of the membrane is situated in multiple layers within the forward portion so that deployment is induced by forward-to-aft gas flow of the rocket motor within the cone.

Abstract: A safety system for protecting a ship and adjacent rocket motor rounds stored in the ship from a rocket motor inadvertently igniting includes a shock absorption and retention mechanism that is operative to catch and hold the igniter during inadvertent ignition and thereby prevent the igniter from blocking the rocket motor forward exhaust port which would eliminate the thrust neutral condition of the safety system and allow the rocket motor to break free from the fixture holding it and jeopardize the safety of the ship.

Abstract: An improved electrodialysis stack and method of making the same wherein the border surface areas of the flow spacer frames are microroughened, as by chemical etching, sandblasting, with a patterned mold or embossing, the peripheral inner edges of the frame border are machined smooth, the microroughened border surface areas are coated with a thin layer of inert grease such as silicone, and placed under pressure with other electrodialysis components to form a closed system closely packed and essentially solid stack which is free from cross leakage between compartments and seepage therefrom.

Abstract: Compositions comprising an impermeable acrylate-terminated oligomer, at least one reactive diluent, and alpha-hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone, diethoxyacetophenone, 1-(4-dodecylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-1-one, or 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-1-one as a photoinitiator, are disclosed. These compositions have utility in optical coatings.