Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stabilizing a nitrate-based explosive through the use of a NOx scavenger. The present invention further provides a blasting agent including ammonium nitrate and a NOx scavenger. The present invention further provides for a method of blasting adapted for use in reactive and/or elevated temperature ground.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to hypergolic hydrocarbon fuel compositions comprising a convenient fuel and a cycloheptatriene and/or its analogs, and methods of making and using the hypergolic hydrocarbon fuel compositions.

Abstract: A precursor formulation comprising, before curing, a hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) prepolymer or a hydroxyl-terminated polyether (HTPE) prepolymer, an oxidizer, a dimer fatty diol, and an isocyanate curative. A solid propellant comprising a reaction product of the HTPB prepolymer or HTPE prepolymer, the dimer fatty diol, and the isocyanate curative is also disclosed, as is a rocket motor comprising a case and a solid propellant in the case, the solid propellant comprising the reaction product and an oxidizer. A method of reducing a burn rate of a solid propellant is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cast explosive composition. There is provided a precure castable explosive composition comprising an explosive material, a polymerisable binder, said cross linking reagent comprising at least two reactive groups each of which is protected by a labile blocking group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the preparation of an insensitive high enthalpy explosive Dihydroxylammonium 5,5?-bistetrazole-1,1?-diolate (TKX-50) in the presence of N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, or N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone as a solvent via a four-step, one-pot reaction route to obtain a final product after four reaction steps. The more dangerous intermediate diazidoglyoxime may be solved by the one-pot method without the need of isolation. Further, the cyclization reaction is carried out in the presence of dropwisely added concentrated sulfuric acid to replace hydrochloric gas so no hydrochloric gas generator is needed to greatly reduce the amount of waste acid so as to effectively reduce the cost by avoiding using hydrochloric gas steel cylinders which require much safety equipment.

Abstract: An opto-thermal laser detonator uses resonantly absorptive tuned nano-material associated with secondary explosives for optical absorption and initiation by an integral laser diode. The opto-thermal laser detonator includes main explosive material; resonantly absorptive tuned nano-material; secondary explosive material, wherein the resonantly absorptive tuned nano-material and the secondary explosive material are associated to form associated material made of the resonantly absorptive tuned nano-material and the secondary explosive material; and a laser diode operatively connected to the associated material, wherein the laser diode initiates the associated material which in turn initiates the main explosive material.

Abstract: The present invention is a pyrotechnic time delay system that is improved over prior-art designs. Specifically, the system described herein comprises at least one delay element. The delay element or delay dements each have an input charge, a delay composition, and an output charge. Both the input charge and the output charge are igniter compositions and are comprised of the same components despite having different functional goals. The input charge and output charge compositions preferably contain titanium, manganese dioxide, and polytetrafluoroethylene. The delay composition may be modified from current formulations to include manganese and manganese dioxide, or tungsten and manganese dioxide. The system disclosed herein may be comprised of one delay element, or it may be modular wherein multiple delay elements are connected in series.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally in gaseous oxygen propulsion systems with solid-phase chemical oxygen generation for in-space propulsion systems. Chemical oxygen generation is provided by alkali metal chlorates, alkali metal perchlorates or metal peroxides.

Abstract: A high density, generally recognized as safe hybrid rocket motor is described which has a density-specific impulse similar to a solid rocket motor, with good performance approaching or equal to a liquid rocket motor. These high density hybrid motors resolve the packaging efficiency/effectiveness problems limiting the application of safe, low cost hybrid motor technology.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing nano-sized insensitive high explosive molding powder usable as a booster HE is provided herein. The method preferably involving the steps of dissolving a binder in a liquid and suspending crystalline high explosive to said liquid, grinding that suspension in a bead mill until the crystalline high explosive is nano-sized, and precipitating the binder and crystalline high explosive using a spray dryer to produce granules containing nano-sized crystalline high explosive. The liquid may be water or an organic solvent so long as the binder is highly soluble in the liquid and the crystalline high explosive is generally insoluble in the liquid. A fatty alcohol, water defoaming/dispersant/surfactant agent can be added to the dissolved binder/suspended crystalline high explosive, to aid in the manufacturability.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method for preparing and applying a slurry mixture to a bridge wire initiator which involves a slurry mixture that is relatively safer for a user to handle and in which the method is relatively less complex and shorter in duration for a user to prepare and apply the slurry mixture to the bridge wire initiator.

Abstract: A chain-reactive, heat-generating microcapsule comprises a first compartment including a first component and a second compartment including a second component. An isolating structure separates the first and second compartments. The isolating structure may rupture when heated above a normal ambient temperature and/or in response to a compressive force. The first component reacts with the second component to produce heat. The microcapsule may further incorporate a blowing agent that responds to heating. In some embodiments, a core within the first compartment comprises a blowing agent material that responds to the heat produced when the first and second components react. The microcapsules can be incorporated into a material comprising a heat-curable resin precursor such that heat generated by the microcapsules can be used to cure the resin precursor.

Abstract: A reactive burning rate accelerator is provided that is configured to be at least partially embedded in a solid energetic material and comprises at least one metallic component and at least one non-metallic component. The reactive burning rate accelerator is configured to ignite and combust to increase the mass burning rate of the solid energetic material. Also provided are solid energetic materials comprising the reactive burning accelerator and methods of manufacturing and using the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cast explosive composition, particularly to a pre-cure castable explosive composition comprising an explosive material, a polymerisable binder, a microencapsulated cross linking reagent, said microencapsulated cross linking reagent, comprising a cross linking agent encapsulated in a microcapsule.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnic agent containing at least one azotetrazolate as a component thereof.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method for preparing a catalyst system and a catalyst system for polymerizing or copolymerizing an ?-olefin. Catalyst component (A) is obtained by a process of reacting a magnesium complex (A-1) containing acid salts of group IB-VIIIB elements formed by contacting a magnesium halide with an acid salt solution of group IB-VIIIB metals or spherical particles adducts, an internal electron donor (A-2) of diester or diether or composite compounds, and a titanium compound (A-3). The catalyst compound (A) is contacted with a silicon compound (B) and an organoaluminium compound (C) to complete the catalyst system providing a good balance of catalyst performance in terms of activity and stereo-specificity.

Abstract: A smoke producing method and device of the present disclosure produces a non-incendiary, organic-polymerization based, smoke-producing reaction. Some versions of the smoke are effective carriers for capsaicinoid compounds. The method of generating smoke comprises initiating a frontal polymerization reaction by heating a composition comprising a monomer compound that exothermically polymerizes upon initiation with an initiator compound and an initiator compound that initiates polymerization of the monomer compound present at a mass concentration that is at least five percent of the mass concentration of the monomer compound. The polymerization of the monomer compound is exothermic, and in one embodiment the concentration of initiator compound is at least five percent of the concentration of monomer compound. The smoke mainly comprises thermal decomposition products of the initiator compound.

Abstract: An explosive sheet simulant that uses an ethylene vinyl acetate polymer combined with either a mixture of a boron carbide and iron oxide for X-ray attenuating properties or calcium carbonate for millimeter wave properties, wherein the components of the mixture are selected such that the sheet has a predetermined flexural modulus combined with particle density, effective atomic number, x-ray transmission properties, or millimeter wave properties.

Abstract: A method of preparing gunpowder includes selecting a known combination of chemicals used in making gunpowder; mixing the known combination of chemicals and a measurement of liquid ammonia at a predetermined temperature; stirring the chemicals and liquid ammonia with a laboratory mechanical stirrer, causing the chemicals to blend at a molecular level; raising the temperature of the mixture, causing the liquid ammonia to evaporate from the mixture, while keeping the mixture significantly below ignition temperature; allowing the remaining mixture to warm, thereby reducing the risk of ignition; and resulting in a fine gunpowder mixture, with no water content and limited recrystallization of the chemicals.

Abstract: An explosion protection system comprises the steps of providing a fire extinguishing chemicals which under heat from explosion will decompose to absorb heat and releasing fire extinguishing gases which create a gas barrier against explosion; providing blast suppression chemicals which provide attenuation of shock resulting from an explosion; and providing a reinforcement layer on the object to be protected, the reinforcement layer providing impact and tensile strength materials and supporting the fire extinguishing chemicals and blast suppression chemicals including means for blocking gases released by an explosion.