Abstract: A binary, ternary and/or quaternary tin alloy composition that may be used as outer sheath material in various explosive-pyrotechnic linear products, such as ignition cord, mild detonating cord (MDC) and linear shaped charge (LSC).

Abstract: This invention relates to amino-substituted guanidine decahydrodecaborates, which are shown to be novel boron-containing salts that have particular utility as high energy monopropellants. The invention includes the diamino-guanidinium and mono-aminoguanidinium salts of decahydrodecaboric acid, and as preferred products of processes for preparing same.

Abstract: A self-contained device for selectively discharging a pressurized gas within a hermetically sealed vessel to which it has been sealed, to enable a leak testing of the vessel. A linear actuator is functioned to open a small, high pressure cylinder that has been charged with a detector gas. The mechanism is preferably mounted to the interior of a lid which is then sealed onto the vessel which is to be tested. Proper functioning of the device may be confirmed electrically, since circuit continuity between an electrical contact pin and at least one additional portion on the exterior surface of the vessel will be permanently broken after proper functioning.

Abstract: Mild detonating cord confinement, particularly of the type including a metal covered mild detonating fuse as an inner core. The invention is directed to reducing cord diameter and weight, while totally confining explosive effects. The reduction in weight and diameter is achieved by employing a plurality of different coverings for the mild detonating fuse inner core, notably an extruded plastic jacket, a plurality of plastic fiber overbraid coverings and a stainless steel overbraid encircling the plastic fiber as an overbraid. A foamed polyethylene may be employed as the extruded plastic jacket.

Abstract: This invention describes pyrotechnic compositions made by suitably combining, preferably by coprecipitation, triaminoguanidine nitrate with bis-triaminoguanidinium decahydrodecaborate. Propellants comprising these compounds are also included.

Abstract: This invention relates to amino-substituted guanidine decahydrodecaborates, hich are shown to be novel boron-containing salts that have particular utility as high energy monopropellants. The invention includes the diamino-guanidinium and monoaminoguanidinium salts of decahydrodecaboric acid, and as preferred products of processes for preparing same.

Abstract: A constant speed actuator significantly characterized by being able to produce a displacement at constant speed, even though the loading on a hydraulically damped piston is substantially varied. The actuator consists of a pneumatic driving pressure which acts against a volume of hydraulic fluid, through a interface with a free piston. The hydraulic fluid, thus acted upon by the pneumatic pressure, flows to the opposite side of the hydraulic load piston through a hydraulic fluid by-pass at a constant volumetric rate regardless of the loading on the hydraulic piston. The constant volume by-pass flow is automatically controlled by employing a constant volume valve in the by-pass. Consequently, a consistent, predictable speed of actuation is achieved over a wide range of hydraulic piston loadings and pneumatic supply pressure.

Abstract: New propellant compositions characterized by the addition of certain simple salts and double salts, both metallic and non-metallic, having the B.sub.10 H.sub.10.sup.-2 anion in common, are taught herein to function as a class of burn rate catalysts, and not as fuels, when combined with a category of propellants known as nitrocellulose base propellants. Additionally, unique forms of the simple salts, created by coprecipitation of the simple salt with an oxidizer, constitute a third class of burn rate enhancers herein.

Abstract: A class of high burning propellants, useful as gun or rocket propellants, gas generators or specialized application where a very high burning rate is required, characterized by replacing the normally found oxidizer used in various propellants with certain coprecipitated salts of decahydrodecaboric acid and certain oxidizing agents. The resultant propellants employ such a coprecipitate as the major faction of the solids loading, and optionally may further include certain simple decahydrodecaborate salts for further enhancement of the burning rates in the thusly formulated and composed propellants.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel pyrotechnic materials useful in pyrotechnic, incendiary, and propellant compositions, and a method of their preparation. The process is characterized by being a cocrystalization of certain salts of decahydrodecaboric acid and certain oxidizing agents, the resulting coprecipitates are compositions chemically and physically distinct from the starting materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to bis-triaminoguanidine decahydrodecarborate, which is a novel boron salt that has been found to have particular utility as a high energy monopropellant. The invention includes the triaminoguanidinium salt of decahydrodecaboric acid, and as a product of a preferred process for preparing same.

Abstract: This invention describes pyrotechnic compositions made by suitably combining, preferably by coprecipitation, triaminoguanidine nitrate with bis-triaminoguanidinium decahydrodecaborate. Propellants comprising these compounds are also included.

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: 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: Mild detonating cord confinement, particularly of the type including a me covered mild detonating fuse as an inner core. The invention is directed to reducing cord diameter and weight, while totally confining explosive effects. The reduction in weight and diameter is achieved by employing a plurality of different coverings for the mild detonating fuse inner core, notably an extruded plastic jacket, a plurality of plastic fiber overbraid coverings and a stainless steel overbraid encircling the plastic fiber as an overbraid. A foamed polyethylene may be employed as the extruded plastic jacket.

Abstract: An ignition device in the form of a linear member which has an internal linear propagation characteristic of a detonation, but a radial heat and gas evolution characteristic of a very fast deflagrating pyrotechnic material not accompanied by a shock or detonation wave. The device uses a central core containing an encapsulated explosive with a surrounding layer, or discrete layers, of a metal-clad pyrotechnic material that is significantly characterized by a class of compounds that are specific simple decahydrodecaborate salts containing the common anion B.sub.10 H.sub.10.sup.-2. The outer cladding materials themselves do not functionally ensure a radial deflagration; rather the specific pyrotechnic materials employed ensure a radial deflagration. There are taught specific relationships for components, and a necessary radial compaction.

Abstract: A process for production of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine from nitroso dimethylamine that is characterized as a completely closed system with respect to positive prevention of environmental contamination by waste nitrosodimethylamine. This process further provides a novel extraction step which also produces, as a solid by-product, potassium nitrate without nitrosodimethylamine contamination.

Abstract: A cap-sensitive slurry explosive capable of propagating a high order detonation in thin layers and which has a high degree of safety for a cap-sensitive explosive. The slurry consists of a superfine grained explosive, suspended in an energetic, but non-self-explosive liquid matrix and contains no liquid explosive ingredient. The slurry resists dispersion in a variety of liquids including water and crude oil. In the preferred embodiments the slurries include penetaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) in super fine particles, having an average particle size of 6.5 microns.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel boron-containing salt. Specifically, the guanidinium salt of decahydrodecaboric acid, and a process for preparing same.

Abstract: An apparatus to allow manufacture of fine particle PETN (penetaerythritol tetranitrate) having a sensitivity to propagate in thin layers in slurry and having a particle size which presents advantages in safety of handling and ability to obtain higher solids loading in slurries and flexible explosive binder systems due to a lower surface area, and a wider particle size distribution, compared to previous PETN of similar sensitivity to propagation in thin layers, i.e., as the major explosive ingredient in flexible sheet explosive formulations, and to propagation as a high velocity detonation in small core loads, i.e., 1 grain/ft., in mild detonating fuse, confined detonating fuse, and the like.