Abstract: A method for preparing deagglomerated fibres and/or particles and for providing the fibres and/or particles with a substantially uniform protective coating, the fibres and/or particles being of a material selected from the group consisting of carbides oxides, nitrides, silicides, borides, metals and graphite, including SiC, TiC, ZrC, WC, NbC, AlN, TiN, BN, Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, MgO, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2, ZrO.sub.2, Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, steel, tungsten, molybdenum and carbon, the method comprising (a) preparing an inorganic colloid sol, and (b) mixing the fibres and/or particles are deagglomerated and substantially homogeneously distributed. The fibres and/or particles, e.g. SiC whiskers provided with an aluminum oxide coating by treatment with an aluminum hydroxide-based sol, are used for the preparation of metal matrix composite materials, e.g. based on aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

Abstract: This invention involves a method of providing suitable electrical isolation for small metal particles (such as iron) from each other, agglomerating these particles into a larger size, and overcoating the agglomerates to provide environmental protection. A product of this type has attractive electromagnetic absorbing properties at ultra high frequencies even when used in a high temperature environment that would have oxidized uncoated iron particles with resultant deterioration of its absorbing properties.

Abstract: A wick composition for incendiary devices is disclosed which enables an improved and controlled burn rate. The wick composition comprises:(a) about 25 to about 75 weight percent of a nitrate compound selected from the group consisting of cellulose nitrate, cellulose trinitrate, polyvinyl nitrate, and ammonium nitrate;(b) a nitrate stabilizer; and(c) a wick or string material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the encapsulation of pyrophoric materials in a high temperature resistant membrane having at least one perforation which allows air to contact the pyrophoric material. By controlling the accessibility of the pyrophoric material to the surrounding air, it is possible to reduce the kinetics of the oxidation reaction without affecting the thermodynamics of the reaction. This results in a product that demonstrates a lower peak temperature, longer dwell time at the lower temperature and, in most cases, an increase in the total heat energy output in comparison to an identical pyrophoric material that is not so encapsulated.

Abstract: A mixed surfactant system for use in emulsion explosives is provided which confers improved emulsion stability and comprises a surfactant and a co-surfactant, each having branched chain hydrocarbyl tail groups, the former having significantly longer tail chain groups than the latter, for which system poly[alk(en)yl] succinic anhydride based surfactants are especially preferred, said surfactants having an interaction parameter, .beta., which is less than zero.

Abstract: Graphite or carbon particles with a graphitic skin are intercalated with a compound including an oxidized form of a metal and then reduced in a hydrogen atmosphere. This process reduces the driving force for the galvanic reaction between the particles and active metals in aqueous environments. The particles may be present as a reinforcement for a metal matrix (e.g., graphite/aluminum metal matrix composites) or as a reinforcement for a non-metallic material (e.g., graphite/polyimide, graphite/polyester or graphite/cyanate composites). In the latter case, the composite is adjacent to a metal in a structure.By way of example, the graphite or carbon particle may be a fiber, the metal subject to attack may be aluminum or magnesium, and the intercalation compound may be NiCl.sub.2.

Abstract: A method for selectively removing yttrium-90 from its parent strontium-90 contained in an environmental sample includes loading the sample onto a column containing a chelating ion-exchange resin capable of retaining yttrium-90; washing the column with a solution capable of removing strontium, calcium, and other contaminants from the yttrium-90 fraction retained on the column; removing excess acetate salts from the column; eluting yttrium-90 solution from the column and adjusting the pH of this solution to about 2.7; filtering the yttrium-90 solution and weighing this solution for gravimetric yield; and, counting the yttrium-90 containing solution with a radiological counter for a time sufficient to achieve the statistical accuracy desired. It is preferred that the chelating ion-exchange resin is a bidente ligand having the chemical name iminodiacetic acid mounted on a divinyl benzene substrate, converted from sodium form to ammonia form.

Abstract: A percussion primer compound for small arms, comprising a special metal such as zirconium as a reducing agent and a mixture of two oxygen carriers with oxidizing potentials of different magnitudes as oxidizing agent. The primer compound may be used in cartridge-type, small-caliber small arms such as is used for training purposes.

Abstract: A process for forming an electrode assembled into a vacuum interrupter is composed of the steps of blending silver(Ag) powder and chromium(Cr) powder in a content ratio such that Ag powder forms a matrix and Cr powder being dispersed therein, the blending ratio is prefer to be determined to contain 50 to 95 wt. % of Ag powder and 5 to 50 wt. % of Cr powder, compacting the blended powder to a compacted body, sintering the body at temperatures around melting point of Ag, and regulating density of the sintered article at least 90%. Particle size of Cr to be blended may be determined less than 150 .mu.m, more preferably, less than 60 .mu.m. Sintering temperature may be determined between 800.degree. to 950.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for forming a grain (10) of gas generating material includes the step of forming pieces (86) of gas generating material, and further includes the step of forming the grain (10) as a compacted agglomeration of the pieces (86) of gas generating material. The pieces (86) of gas generating material are formed by pressing a particle mixture (60) under a first pressure. The grain (10) is formed by pressing the pieces (86) together under a second pressure which is less than the first pressure.

Abstract: An improved metal matrix composite which, in a preferred embodiment disclosed herein, utilizes boron carbide as the ceramic additive to a base material metal. The metal matrix composite of the present invention begins with the preparation of the boron carbide powder by particle size selection in a jet mill. The resulting powder and metal powder are then mixed by blending of powder of all the various elements such as by means of a conventional blender to uniformly mix powdered substances and avoid stratification and settling. After the particles have been sufficiently mixed, they are degassed and then placed into a die and then into a cylindrical container where the particulates are subjected to extremely high pressures transforming the elements into a solid ingot. It is from these ingots that the extrusion tubes or other articles of manufacture may then be made.

Abstract: Explosive composition, and method for its manufacture, based on an essentially particulate mixture containing a solid oxidizing salt and optionally a fuel, wherein at least a part of the oxidizing salt contains ammonium ion. The mixture contains an additive of acid and may be used in environments with risk of ammonia liberation.

Abstract: The specification discloses a high density prill particularly useful for in an emulsion explosive composition and a method for making the prill, The prill comprises a porous ammonium nitrate matrix having a density of at least about 54 pounds per cubic foot (0.86 kg/L) and having a concentration of greater than about 99.5 wt.% ammonium nitrate. The high density prill of the invention exhibits an oil absorption of at least about 4 wt.% based on the total weight of the prill and oil.

Abstract: The solvent-free gas generant composition of this invention, comprising an oxidizer and a thermosettable resin, cures in about an hour or less at room temperature and within 5 minutes at 135.degree. F. Void-free and crack-free gas generant grains are formed and cured in an extrusion process in which the temperature may be from about room temperature to about 200.degree. F. The thermosettable resin is at least one of the group consisting of an acrylate-terminated polybutadiene, a hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene/diisocyanate reaction product, an ester of a polybutadiene polycarboxylic acid and an epoxy modified polybutadiene and/or a hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene, and a styrene/polyester copolymer.

Abstract: Cemented carbide inserts are available containing WC and cubic phases of carbide and/or carbonitride in a binder phase based on cobalt and/or nickel with a binder phase enriched surface zone. The binder phase content along a line essentially bisecting the rounded edge surfaces increases toward the edge and cubic phase is present. As a result, the edge toughness of the cutting inserts is improved.

Abstract: A gas generator composition, primarily containing perchlorate and cellulose acetate is provided to generate a large amount of gas without forming any substantial amount of harmful carbon monoxide. A metal oxide is additionally incorporated in an amount of more than 5% by weight and not more than 40% by weight. For example, 50 to 87% by weight of potassium perchlorate and 8 to 26% by weight of cellulose acetate are incorporated in the composition. The gas generator composition contains 36% by weight or less of bitetrazole metal hydrate, preferably bitetrazole manganese dihydrate, since it forms no corrosive residue after burning. The composition contains a nonmetallic compound consisting at least of nitrogen and hydrogen and containing at least 11% by weight of nitrogen. As such compound, nitroguanidine, guanidine nitrate, etc. is employed. The compounds preferably contains 10 to 83% by weight of nitrogen. The compound is preferably incorporated in an amount of 10 to 45% by weight.

Abstract: This invention consists of two parts: "Cemented Carbide with Minimal Amount of Binder Metal", and "Nonmagnetic cemented Carbide".The "Cemented Carbide with Minimal Amount of Binder Metal" is for cemented carbide bodies which are made from less than 2% binder metal powder and more than two kinds of metal carbide powder. Neither kind of carbide powder exceeds 98% of all the carbide powder used as raw material. The raw powder is to be prepared following a conventional powder metallurgy method--especially the conventional method of making cemented carbide--milling, cold pressing and non-high-pressure sintering. During the sintering process, metal carbide powder forms complicated solid solution carbides, and the small amount of binder which initially helped sintering is lost for the most part, if not entirely, during sintering.The "Non-magnetic Cemented Carbide" is cemented carbides which have nickel-tungsten alloy as a binder metal. The process of manufacturing uses said conventional powder metallurgy.

Abstract: The invention is a radiation curable printing ink composition comprising a liquid viscous epoxidized diene polymer and a pigment. Preferred diene polymers are block copolymers comprising at least interior and exterior diene blocks wherein the exterior diene blocks contain a greater concentration of di-, tri-, and tetrasubstituted olefinic epoxides than the interior blocks and wherein the copolymer contains from 0.1 to 3.0 Meq of olefinic epoxides per gram of copolymer and the peak molecular weights as determined by gel permeation chromatography of the exterior blocks of from 300 to 2000 and the peak molecular weights as determined by gel permeation chromatography of the interior blocks are from 2,000 to 10,000. In another preferred embodiment, the polymer is a star polymer having a random distribution of from 0.

Abstract: Compositions consisting essentially of from 60% to 95% by weight of the polymer components of a high flow polypropylene and from 40% to 5% by weight of a polystyrene-hydrogenated polyisoprene-polystyrene block copolymer have excellent low temperature impact strength and high heat distortion temperature for molding large automobile parts.

Abstract: Reduced fat (fat contents range from about 5% to about 20%) confectionery morsels and bars and a method for their preparation are provided. The confection is manufactured by mixing a syrup component comprising a major amount by weight of a crystallizable saccharide and minor amounts by weight of water and emulsifier; with a flavoring component comprising a major amount by weight of flavoring and a minor amount by weight of fat; and a seeding component comprising a major amount by weight of starch and fat and minor amounts by weight of finely milled saccharide and emulsifier. The confection has the proper consistency for shaping with extrusion methods due to crystal formation, starch hydration, and moisture content.