Abstract: The present invention is directed to hardening ammonium nitrate by combining ammonium nitrate with a functionally active polymer. The functionally active polymer may be combined with ammonium nitrate by itself as a shell or in intermixed with the ammonium nitrate. The invention is found useful in hardening ammonium nitrate for use in explosives.

Abstract: Molecular sieve zeolites are incorporated in the inflator device to assist in the inflation of airbags in passenger vehicles. The pre-loading of the molecular sieve zeolites with gases such as air or nitrogen or carbon dioxide provides for rapid airbag inflation and following inflation, additionally provides the remediation of at least a portion of the toxic waste gases generated by the exploding inflator device. Molecular sieve zeolites, particularly zeolites X, having been exchanged with lithium or calcium, provide high-capacity gas storage and enhanced toxic waste gas adsorption. The use of molecular sieve zeolites reduces risk of injury to occupants of vehicles from exposure to hot, toxic waste gases following airbag deployment.

Abstract: A degradable polymer has an ester component adjacent to a poly(oxyethylene) component in the polymer chain. The hydrophilic nature of the poly(oxyethylene) draws water close to the ester in the polymer chain, which increases the rate of hydrolysis of the ester. The degradable polymer is useful as a binder in for explosive and propellant compositions.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions and methods of processing are provided which produce or result in a relatively high burning rate and low burning rate pressure exponent, while also desirably providing a high gas output, as compared to normal or typical gas generant formulations such as used in association with vehicle occupant restraint airbag cushions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mushroom bed cultivation method for cultivating a fruit body of Agaricus and a grain-containing medium used for such a method. The method includes the step of culturing Agaricus in a medium including a grain. The medium further includes a nutrient, a medium matrix, and the like, as necessary.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a cartridge consisting of a case and a projectile, characterized in that, once the cartridge is fully manufactured, a capillary active, acrylate-based adhesive sealing agent is applied in a controlled manner to the gap arising in the inner mouth of the case when the projectile is inserted therein, in a sufficient quantity as to guarantee full sealing of said gap.

Abstract: An apparatus (2) for inflating an air bag (4) including a container (12) and a combustible material (20) disposed in the container. The combustible material (20) comprises a binder selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate butyrate and cellulose acetate propionate. The binder has a melting point in the range of about 230° C. to about 260° C. An igniter (32) ignites the combustible material (20) to generate combustion products. A conduit directs the combustion products towards the air bag (4).

Abstract: A gas generating composition for generating gas by a combustion reaction to inflate, for example, an airbag. The gas generating composition includes an oxidant and crystalline carbon powder that reacts with the oxidant. The oxidant is preferably ammonium nitrate. The crystalline carbon powder is preferably activated carbon powder. The gas generating composition preferably includes a high energy substance, binder and plasticizer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process to manufacture an object using at least one granular material (16) having a large particle size, for example greater than or equal to 0.1 mm, such process being characterised by the following stages: the granular material or materials are placed in a mould (2) at the same dimensions as the object to be made and incorporating at least one evacuation opening (6), said opening being of a size that is less than the particle size of the material, a liquid-phase binder (21) is poured into the mould, the binder is mixed between the grains of material and the excess binder is drained off through the evacuation opening using suction means (11). Application in the manufacture of igniting tubes or propellant charges for artillery ammunition.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing a flowable solid propellant wherein a) liquid oxidizer is added to a tank, b) pellets of cross-linked hydrogel polymer are added to the liquid oxidizer in the tank so that liquid oxidizer is absorbed into the pellets to form flowable combustible pellets and c) the combustible pellets are then flowed into a combustion chamber of a vehicle to combust and the combustion products flow out the propulsion nozzle of the vehicle. Also provided are the liquid oxidizer absorbed flowable combustible pellets so made.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (16) and a gas generating composition which when ignited produces gas to inflate the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (16). The gas generating composition comprises a non-azide nitrogen containing organic fuel, an inorganic salt oxidizer, and a metal organic coolant selected from the group consisting of alkali metal formates, alkaline earth metal formates, alkali metal oxalates, and alkaline earth metal oxalates. The amount of metal organic coolant in the gas generating composition is a cooling amount.

Abstract: Liquid monopropellants for passive vehicle restraint systems (e.g., air bags) include an aqueous solution of a water-soluble oxidizer and a water-soluble organic fuel miscible with the oxidizer. The oxidizer is most preferably ammonium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide or nitric acid, while the fuel is a lower alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, propanol or glycerol. The liquid monopropellants will advantageously have an oxidation ratio (OR) of greater than about 0.90.

Abstract: A propellant burning system and method useful in a rocket motor or projectile firing device burns a continuous main propellant grain of relatively soft propellant material selected from uncatalyzed or partially catalyzed propellants. A separating device divides the propellant grain into a large number of fragments of high-surface area during the burn and an activation mechanism for causing said separating device to operate on the main propellant grain and to ignite and control the burning thereof.

Abstract: A propellant system for launching a large-caliber projectile includes a propellant having at least three partial charges. The first partial charge is adapted to acceleration requirements of the projectile; the second partial charge has a higher combustion velocity than that of the first partial charge; and the third partial charge has a lower combustion velocity than that of the first partial charge. The propellant system further includes an electric energy supply and control device connected to the propellant for igniting the propellant. The electric energy supply and control device has a plasma generator for affecting a combustion behavior of the propellant such as to obtain for said first partial charge, after ignition of the propellant, a maximum gas pressure level of always the same magnitude independently from an initial propellant temperature, and to obtain, for the third partial charge, a conversion such as to prolong the maximum gas pressure level in a predeterminable manner.

Abstract: An underwater explosive device, comprising a first container containing an explosive suitable for underwater use, and a second container surrounding the first container and containing oxygen gas under a pressure sufficient to enhance the underwater explosive reaction of the explosive.

Abstract: A heater pouch adjustably to be placed in a product container. The product container holds a product to be heated by a flameless heater. The heater pouch contains tablets of exothermic material in a flexible cover. The tablets are smooth-surfaced without protuberances so they can be distributed without interference from one another. The spacing between the container and the product, which can vary from product to product, can have complicated shapes. That can be accommodated by this pouch.

Abstract: Excellent adhesion of vitreous enamel to steel can be achieved via an intermediate layer formed on the steel by bringing it into contact with a liquid composition that contains water and a component of solute selected from the group consisting of dissolved silicates and dissolved borates and, optionally, surfactant. The modification of the steel surface achieved by treating it with silicates and/or borates is also effective for improving the adhesion of steel to other protective type coatings such as paint.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid compounds encoding IPC synthase or subunit thereof from fungal cells. Also provided are vectors and transformed heterologous host cells for expressing IPC synthase and a method for identifying compounds that inhibit a fungal IPC synthase.

Abstract: A safety apparatus has been found for recovering an airborne hydrogen fluoride release in a hydrocarbon alkylation process. The safety apparatus comprising containment baffles and hydrogen fluoride detectors. Hydrogen fluoride detectors activate water flood means which discharge into the containment baffles. The water flood containing essentially all of the hydrogen fluoride release is recovered for disposal. Recoveries of 90 wt % have been demonstrated.

Abstract: This invention relates to blends of a specific type of cis-l,4-polybutadiene rubber with other rubbery polymers, such as natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, isoprene-butadiene rubber and/or styrene-isoprene- butadiene rubber. The cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber utilized in the blends of this invention is synthesized by polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in the presence of (a) an organonickel compound, (b) an organoaluminum compound, (c) a fluorine containing compound and (d) para-styrenated diphenylamine; wherein the organoaluminum compound and the fluorine containing compound are brought together in the presence of the para-styrenated diphenylamine. The cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber blends of this invention offer improved processability and enhanced physical properties. For instance, improved mixing which results in better incorporation of pigments and fillers, such as carbon black and silica, at lower levels of power consumption is realized.