Abstract: A method for increasing the burn rate of a gas generant formulation is provided involving the addition of a quantity of at least one transition metal complex of diammonium bitetrazole to the gas generant formulation.

Abstract: Pyrotechnic compositions such as used in initiator devices and corresponding initiator devices having a low firing energy are provided. The pyrotechnic composition includes a mixture containing a fuel component which includes a quantity of at least one Iron Blue Pigment and an oxidizer component which includes at least one oxidizer effective, upon reaction initiation with at least a portion of the quantity of the at least one Iron Blue Pigment, to produce gaseous reaction products. The pyrotechnic composition may additionally include a burn rate enhancing additive such as zirconium metal powder.

Abstract: A method of axially spinning an initiator subassembly after the loading of a pyrotechnic charge therein, in order to distribute the charge.

Abstract: The reduced toxicity hypergolic bipropellant fuels of the present invention contain a hypergolic fuel and rocket grade hydrogen peroxide oxidizer, preferably HTP. The hypergolic fuel may be a reactive fuel or a catalytic fuel. The rocket grade hydrogen peroxide oxidizer consists of about 90 weight % to about 99 weight % H2O2, more preferably about 94 weight % to 99 weight % H2O2. However, hypergolic ignition may be attained with a H2O2 content as low as 70 weight % for some reactive fuels. The reactive fuel comprises about 6 weight % to 10 weight % reducing agent in a solvent. The catalytic fuel comprises about 6 weight % to 10 weight % catalytic agent in a solvent. The reactive fuels contain ingredients that are intrinsically reactive with rocket grade hydrogen peroxide. Upon contact with rocket grade hydrogen peroxide oxidizer, reactive fuels react vigorously with the hydrogen peroxide resulting in ignition. The catalytic fuels are produced by dissolving a catalytic agent in a solvent.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions which include at least one transition metal complex of ethylenediamine 5,5′-bitetrazole are provided to produce or results in compositions having relatively high burn rates. Also provided are corresponding or associated gas generating devices and inflatable vehicle occupant safety restraint systems and methods of gas generation.

Abstract: A clean burning premeasured compressed charge for use in black powder firearms as well as cartridges. The premeasured compressed charge is manufactured to have a substantially desired shape which facilitates improved flame propagation by the leading end wall and along the exposed sidewall surfaces of the compressed charge to result in a more complete and rapid burning of the compressed charge both from the leading end wall toward the trailing end wall and also radially inwardly from each one of the four sidewalls toward a center of the premeasured compressed charge. The premeasured compressed charge has a leading end portion and a trailing end portion and the leading end portion is either the same size or a smaller dimension than the trailing end portion.

Abstract: A gas generating composition for use in a pretensioner, which generates less CO gases and chlorine-containing gases after combustion and is superior in thermal stability and in producing and processing, is obtained. The gas generating composition for use in a pretensioner comprises a highly thermal stabilized binder, an oxidizing agent, and, if required, a chlorine-neutralizing agent as major ingredients. The gas generating composition can improve thermal stability of a gas generating agent, can reduce the amount of CO gases, is excellent in producing and processing, and can reduce chlorine-containing gases if required.

Abstract: An igniter for a flare that includes a housing and a slider assembly. The housing includes an ignition device portion and a slurry groove portion. The ignition device portion has an ignition device portal for holding an ignition device, while the slurry groove portion has a groove for ignition slurry. The slider assembly is disposed within the housing, the slider assembly has an armed position and a safe position, the armed position not covering the ignition device portal allowing the ignition device disposed within the ignition device portals to ignite the ignition slurry, which ignites the flare, the safe position covering the ignition device portal and preventing ignition of the flare.

Abstract: Gas generating compositions containing or including a sufficient quantity of a non-nitrate containing ammonia source whereby, upon reaction of the gas generating composition, NOx products are present in the product gas in a reduced amount as compared to reaction product gas resulting from reaction of the same composition without said quantity of non-nitrate containing ammonia source. Also disclosed are associated methods of reducing NOx products present in an effluent of a gas generating composition that upon combustion forms gas useful for inflating a vehicle occupant safety restraint device.

Abstract: Plastic bonded explosive (PBX) compositions utilizing CL-20 as the oxidizer, and particularly when the CL-20 is blended with particular combinations of binders and/or plasticizers, have been found to yield synergistic chemical combinations which demonstrate higher energy density and increased penetration power and impetus in military weapons and similar applications.

Abstract: Inflator device assemblies containing an expandable fluid effective to provide a gaseous inflation medium also advantageously employ or incorporate a pyrotechnic material such as to augment or enhance at least one fill characteristic of the gaseous inflation medium. The pyrotechnic material is provided on a selected non-gas generant surface within the inflator device. Suitable pyrotechnic compositions may include a binder additive effective to adhere the pyrotechnic composition to a surface within the inflator device.

Abstract: Sol-gel chemistry is used for the preparation of energetic materials (explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics) with improved homogeneity, and/or which can be cast to near-net shape, and/or made into precision molding powders. The sol-gel method is a synthetic chemical process where reactive monomers are mixed into a solution, polymerization occurs leading to a highly cross-linked three dimensional solid network resulting in a gel. The energetic materials can be incorporated during the formation of the solution or during the gel stage of the process. The composition, pore, and primary particle sizes, gel time, surface areas, and density may be tailored and controlled by the solution chemistry. The gel is then dried using supercritical extraction to produce a highly porous low density aerogel or by controlled slow evaporation to produce a xerogel. Applying stress during the extraction phase can result in high density materials.

Abstract: The present invention is a lead-free pyrotechnic composition comprising from about 60 percent by weight to about 80 percent by weight iodine pentoxide and from about 15 percent by weight to about 35 percent by weight of a solid-powder fuel. The solid-powder fuel may normally be selected from aluminum, magnesium, or a combination thereof. Depending upon the potential use for the lead-free pyrotechnic composition of the present invention, the composition may also include from about 4 to 10 percent by weight of a stabilizer that neutralizes any iodic acid formed by the iodine pentoxide, from about 3 to 5 percent by weight of a binder, or from about 5 to 15 percent by weight of a coloring agent. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aluminum will comprise aluminum flake having a size ranging from about nanometers to about 100 nanometers.

Abstract: Inflation apparatuses and methods are provided which utilize elemental carbon and nitrous oxide in the gas generation or formation process.

Abstract: The present invention is a propellant composition comprising from about 2 percent to about 46 percent, by weight, boron particles having a diameter of less than about 500 nanometers. Liquid or gel embodiments of the invention may also include adding the boron particles to a liquid fuel in order to form a liquid fuel system. Examples of such liquid fuels include ethyl ammonium nitrate (EAN), triethyl amine nitrate (TEAN), Cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX), trinitrotoluene (TNT), jet fuel formula (JP-10), kerosene, RJ-4, or other hydrocarbon based fuels. These liquid fuel systems can be part of bipropellants wherein the liquid fuel system is stored separately from an oxidizing agent and the two are mixed during operation. Examples of oxidizing agents may include nitrogen tetroxide, oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl ammonium perchlorate (HAP), hydoxyl ammonium nitrate (HAN), ammonium perchlorate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium dinitramide (ADN), or a combination of said chemicals.

Abstract: An ignition element consists of a combination of first and second ignition components. The first ignition component contains at least one primer, at least on heat-conducting additive selected from the group consisting of zirconium, aluminum, titanium, ferrotitanium, zirconium boride, zirconium hydride and mixtures thereof, at least one oxidant and a binder. The second ignition component contains at least one ingredient that produces hot re4action particles, an oxidant, and a binder.

Abstract: A process for reducing odor in polychloroprene is provided that comprises treatment of a stabilized polychloroprene latex with a compound selected from the group consisting of ozone, hydrogen peroxide, alkali metal salts of halogen oxo acids, alkali metal salts of peroxy acids and mixtures thereof. Polychloroprene latex and solid compositions of low odor prepared by the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inulin/colloidal hydrolyzed cellulose composition as a fat substitute. Processes for preparing an inulin/colloidal hydrolyzed cellulose composition by forming a paste or by spray drying. A fat substitute gel. A food containing inulin/colloidal hydrolyzed cellulose.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a thermoplastic elastomeric film comprised of an elastomeric arene-diene block copolymer and particular ethylene/&bgr;-olefin copolymers having low ethylene crystallinity and (2) the process of preparing films thereof. The disclosed films have superior strength and elasticity characteristics which render them particularly useful in apparel and healthcare items such as disposable diapers.

Abstract: A salt additive to lithium conducting organic electrolytes which thermally stabilizes the solution and more particular to provide improved cell operation and storage of lithium ion cells at elevated temperatures is LiBF4 and is employed in a salt molar ratio of at least about 1:1.