Abstract: A thermoplastic bonded energetic material which comprises a composition which comprises: Component A: an energetic filler material; and Component B: a polymeric binder for the energetic filler material; wherein the ratio of the weight of Component A present to the weight of Component B present in the composition is in the inclusive range from 1:10 to 1991:1 and wherein Component B comprises an intimate mixture of Ingredients 1 and 2 as follows: Ingredient 1: a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate; Ingredient 2: a copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile; the ratio of the weight of Ingredient 1 present to the weight of Ingredient 2 present in Component B being in the inclusive range from 1:10 to 10:1.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a stable, water-in-oil emulsion phase containing a polymeric emulsifier. The addition of an animal oil or fatty acid additive enhances the long-term stability of the emulsion phase following homogenization.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) and a gas generating material (16) that, when ignited, produces gas to inflate the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20). The gas generating material (16) comprises a polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer and an inorganic salt oxidizer. The polyurethane elastomeric material comprises a physically cross-linked linear copolymer of an aromatic diisocyanate and a linear energetic polymer having a hydroxyl functionality of two or less.

Abstract: Fluoroalkylsilane-coated metal particles having a central metal core, a buffer layer surrounding the core, and a fluoroalkylsilane layer attached to the buffer layer are prepared by combining a chemically reactive fluoroalkylsilane compound with an oxide coated metal particle having a hydroxylated surface. The resulting fluoroalkylsilane layer that coats the particles provides them with excellent resistance to aging. The particles can be blended with oxidant particles to form energetic powder that releases chemical energy when the buffer layer is physically disrupted so that the reductant metal core can react with the oxidant.

Abstract: An insensitive high energy explosive is disclosed which can be processed on high speed loading equipment without significant buildup of explosive material on the tooling of the high speed loading equipment. The insensitive high energy explosive comprises (a) from about eighty to about ninety-six percent (80.0 to 96.0%) by weight of a high energy explosive chosen from the group comprising cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (HMX), cyclotrimethylylene trinitramine (RDX), or hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20); (b) from about two and four-tenths to about twelve percent (2.4 to 12.0%) by weight of an energetic plasticizer, preferably a 1:1 mixture of BIS 2,2-Dintropropylacetate and BIS 2,2-Dinitropropyl formal (BDNPA/F); (c) from about one and six-tenths to about eight percent (1.6 to 8.0%) by weight CAB binder system; and, (d) about one half of one percent (0.5%) fluorocarbon additive, preferable a Teflon-type additive commercially available under the Trade name Zonyl® MP 1100.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high density ammonium nitrate-fuel oil (“ANFO”) blasting composition comprising an organic liquid fuel and porous prilled ammonium nitrate of high bulk density, small particle size and good oil absorption capacity.

Abstract: High temperature incendiary (HTI) devices and methods destroy biological and/or chemical agents. Preferably, such HTI devices include dual modal propellant compositions having low burn rate propellant particles dispersed in a matrix of a high burn rate propellant. Most preferably, the HTI device includes a casing which contains the dual modal propellant and a nozzle through which combustion gases generated by the ignited high burn rate propellant may be discharged thereby entraining ignited particles of the low burn rate propellant. In use, therefore, the high burn rate propellant will be ignited using a conventional igniter thereby generating combustion gases which are expelled through the nozzle of the HTI device. As the ignition face of the propellant composition regresses, the low burn rate particles will similarly become ignited.

Abstract: A solid combustible composition for use in solid fuel air-augmented rocket engines which very substantially increases the temperature efficiency of afterburner fuel combustion with ram air, thereby greatly increasing engine performance. The improvement comprises dispersing in a matrix comprising the solid, fuel-rich organic compositions conventionally utilized in air-augmented rockets, particles containing solid oxidizable element and fluorine oxidizer compound which reacts with the element to produce gaseous subfluoride compound.

Abstract: A method for processing explosives containing a high loading of CL-20 may advantageously include a binder system having naphthenic oil and/or paraffinic oil. Solid energetic ingredients are added into the binder system and mixed to form a free-flowing suspension in which the solid energetic ingredients are homogeneously mixed and coated with the binder system. The binder system is then cured and cast to form a cross-linked explosive.

Abstract: A process is provided in which at least one polyol having a hydroxyl functionality of at least three, preferably four, serves as a polymerization initiator. The polyol initiator is optionally, although preferably, reacted with a catalyst to form a catalyst-initiator complex, which is then used in the polymerization of glycidyl nitrate. The resulting polyfunctional poly(glycidyl nitrate) has a functionality substantially equivalent in number to the hydroxyl functionality of the polyol. The poly(glycidyl nitrate) is cross-linked with at least one aromatic diisocyanate having at least one aromatic ring and two isocyanate moieties bonded directly to the at least one aromatic ring. Examples of the aromatic diisocyanate include toluene diisocyanate, phenylene diisocyanate, and/or methylene di-p-phenylene diisocyanate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an age-stabilized and/or strengthened ammonium nitrate propellant composition wherein the strengthening agent is selected from the group consisting of azodicarbonamide, dicyandiamide, oxamide and mixtures thereof and wherein the age-stabilizing agent is a molecular sieve having a pore size of 13 angstroms or less.

Abstract: A communication system comprises an input-output processor IOP (11) coupled to a plurality of network devices (10) and a protocol processor PP (12), both processors being coupled to a common memory (15). Memory access control means (16) resolves competition between the processors for memory access. Normally, if one of the two processors is accessing the memory, the memory control unit (16) allows that access to be completed before allowing the other processor to access the memory. But if data loss in a network device is imminent, the IOP, is granted a higher priority memory access, the memory access controller aborts (interrupts) any memory access by the PP, allowing the IOP to access the memory immediately.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water-based explosive having detonation properties similar to dynamite. It comprises an emulsion explosive formed by blending an emulsion phase with cast particles. The emulsion phase comprises a continuous organic liquid fuel phase, a discontinuous inorganic oxidizer solution phase and an emulsifier. The cast particles comprise a mixture of sodium perchlorate, water and diethylene glycol. The cast particles can be added to the emulsion phase before the particles are completely cured and thus before they reach final sensitivty.

Abstract: A binder matrix suitable for use in a gas generant composition, a gas generant composition including the binder matrix, and a related method of igniting such a gas generant composition are provided. The binder matrix includes a non-energetic binder material and dimethyl malonate non-energetic plasticizer and has a softening temperature above at least about 125° C. A gas generant composition including the binder matrix includes a non-energetic binder material such as cellulose acetate, dimethyl malonate non-energetic plasticizer, a fuel such as a nitramine fuel such as RDX, HMX or a combination thereof, and a stabilizer such as N-methyl-p-nitroaniline.

Abstract: This invention comprises a new process for developing high regression rate propellants for application to hybrid rockets and solid fuel ramjets. The process involves the use of a criterion to identify propellants which form an unstable liquid layer on the melting surface of the propellant. Entrainment of droplets from the unstable liquid-gas interface can substantially increase propellant mass transfer leading to much higher surface regression rates over those that can be achieved with conventional hybrid propellants. The main reason is that entrainment is not limited by heat transfer to the propellant from the combustion zone. The process has been used to identify a new class of non-cryogenic hybrid fuels whose regression rate characteristics can be tailored for a given mission. The fuel can be used as the basis for a simpler hybrid rocket design with reduced cost, reduced complexity and increased performance.

Abstract: A method for decoying an infrared seeker comprising the steps of providing a plurality of small pyrotechnic pellets, igniting the pellets and dispersing the pellets.

Abstract: Fluoroalkylsilane-coated metal particles. The particles have a central metal core, a buffer layer surrounding the core, and a fluoroalkylsilane layer attached to the buffer layer. The particles may be prepared by combining a chemically reactive fluoroalkylsilane compound with an oxide coated metal particle having a hydroxylated surface. The resulting fluoroalkylsilane layer that coats the particles provides them with excellent resistance to aging. The particles can be blended with oxidant particles to form energetic powder that releases chemical energy when the buffer layer is physically disrupted so that the reductant metal core can react with the oxidant.

Abstract: The compound 3,6-bis(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylamino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine and its salts are provided together with a propellant composition including an oxidizer, a binder and 3,6-bis(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylamino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine or its salts.

Abstract: A method capable of decreasing the amount of NOx generated by the combustion of a gas generating agent for an air bag. A method for reducing NOx generated by the combustion of a gas generating agent of an air bag by a reducing material placed inside an inflator and decreasing its amount. NH2 radical, or the like, is generated by the decomposition of the reducing material. The radical is allowed to react with NOx and a part of NOx is changed to the N2 gas. Thus, the amount of NOx is decreased.

Abstract: Explosive or propellant compositions containing at least one nitrocellulose contain an additive including at least one substituted tetrazine in amounts effective to increase the burning rate of the composition. A preferred additive is 3,6-dihydrazino-s-tetrazine.