Abstract: An emulsifier comprising at least one ester of a polyhydric composition and a mono-or poly-basic organic acid, the polyhydric composition preferably comprising a sorbitol and/or sorbitan derivative and the acid PIBSA.

Abstract: A non-toxic primer mix including both bismuth sulfide and potassium nitrate as the pyrotechnic portion of the primer is disclosed. In a further embodiment, a non-toxic primer mix comprising zinc sulfide and aluminum nitrate as the pyrotechnic portion of the primer mix is disposed. Bismuth and zinc sulfide act as fuels for the oxidizers of potassium and aluminum nitrate in providing an ignition flame for the primer. The non-toxic primer mix further contains a lead-free explosive material, and additionally can include added fuels, sensitizers, explosives and binders.

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 pyrotechnic gas generant composition includes a high oxygen balance compound or fuel, preferably, azodiformamidine dinitrate, which is the resulting reaction product of an aminoguanidine salt and nitric acid. Specifically, the high oxygen balance compound or fuel of the present invention is the resulting reaction product of aminoguanidine salts, such as aminoguanidine nitrate, aminoguanidine bicarbonate, or aminoguanidine sulfate with nitric acid. Preferably, the aminoguanidine salt is aminoguanidine bicarbonate. The resulting reaction product is a yellow precipitate that can be used alone, with or without oxidizers or other additives, for very rapid self-deflagration or in combination with oxidizers and additives. In each instance, the gas generant composition provides both high gas output and low production of solid combustion products. Further, the precipitant is relatively non-hygroscopic and has a high burn rate.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) 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) includes an inorganic salt oxidizer, a water-soluble binder, and about 1 to about 10% of a supplemental fuel selected from the group consisting of 3,6-dihydrazino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine, 3,6-diamino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine-1,4-dioxide, and 3,6-diamino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: 2,2-dinitro-1,3-propanediol-diformate is a novel low sensitivity, energetic plasticizer that is useful in explosive and propellant compositions. 2,2-dinitro-1,3-propanediol-diformate can be made by reacting 2,2-dinitro-1,3-propane diol with acetic formic anhydride in the presence of pyridine and at least one solvent.

Abstract: A process for the production of an exothermically reacting composition, such as a propellant or explosive, containing at least one normally solid reactive constituent comprises the steps of: forming a uniform dispersion of the ingredients of the said composition in a carrier liquid; forming droplets of said dispersion; feeding said droplets into a cooling medium at a temperature below the freezing point of said carrier liquid to form solidified droplets; and freeze-drying said solidifed droplets.

Abstract: A high temperature incendiary composition having a reactive material of titanium, a second reactive material of boron, an oxidizer of polytetrafluoroethylene in an amount of from about 10 weight percent or less of the composition and a binder of carboxyl-terminated polybutadiene acrylonitrile in an amount of from about 5 weight percent or more. The composition is safe to handle, ignites readily, burns at a low and controlled rate and produces a very high flame temperature.

Abstract: A high temperature incendiary composition having a reactive material of titanium, a second reactive material of boron, an oxidizer of polytetrafluoroethylene in an amount of from about 20 weight percent or greater of the composition and a binder of CTBN in an amount of from about 10 weight percent or less. The composition is safe to handle, ignites readily, produces low slag, burns at a low and controlled rate and produces a very high flame temperature.

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 method of preparing 3,3′-diamino-4,4′-azofurazan is provided together with a composition of matter including a mixture of 3,3′-diamino-4,4′-azofurazan and 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene.

Abstract: An air bag igniter including a foamed material, and an air bag assembly containing the same are disclosed. The foamed material is formed from a composition including, as ingredients, a polyfunctional isocyanate, a polymeric binder having a plurality of hydroxyl groups which are reactive with the polyfunctional isocyanate, a fuel source, an oxidizer, and a foaming agent which may or may not be retained in the foamed material.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic gas generant composition includes a high oxygen balance compound or fuel, preferably, azodiformamidine dinitrate, which is the resulting reaction product of an aminoguanidine salt and nitric acid. Specifically, the high oxygen balance compound or fuel of the present invention is the resulting reaction product of aminoguanidine salts, such as aminoguanidine nitrate, aminoguanidine bicarbonate, or aminoguanidine sulfate with nitric acid. Preferably, the aminoguanidine salt is aminoguanidine bicarbonate. The resulting reaction product is a yellow precipitate that can be used alone, with or without oxidizers or other additives, for very rapid self-deflagration or in combination with oxidizers and additives. In each instance, the gas generant composition provides both high gas output and low production of solid combustion products. Further, the precipitant is relatively non-hygroscopic and has a high burn rate.

Abstract: A process for preparing a gas generating composition (62) for a vehicle occupant protection apparatus (110) comprises the following steps. Desired quantities of ingredients of the gas generating composition (62) measured in predetermined amounts according to the percentage of the ingredients in the gas generating composition (62) are obtained. The ingredients include an elastomeric binder (16), an oxidizer (12), and a fuel (14). The ingredients are mixed with an azeotrope (28) to form a suspension. The suspension is atomized to form a stream (48) of spheroid droplets. The spheroid droplets are contacted with a hot gas to remove the azeotrope (28) from the spray droplets and produce solid spheroid particles of the gas generating composition (62) in which the oxidizer and fuel particles are intimately mixed with each other and bound together by the elastomeric binder.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the preparation of very small particle size, relatively pure 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB). Particles of TATB prepared according to the disclosed method are of submicron size and have a surface area in the range from about 3.8 to 27 square meters per gram.

Abstract: An electrically actuatable igniter (24) includes a header (50), a pair of electrodes (40) and (42) in the header (50), a heating element (44) electrically connected between the electrodes (40) and (42), and a dome shaped ignition droplet (46) covering and adhering to the heating element (44). The ignition droplet (46) comprises an intimate mixture of a cured free-radical resin binder, which is at least a substantially cured in situ by ultraviolet radiation, and an ultraviolet radiation absorbing particulate pyrotechnic material in a substantial proportion effective for sustained combustion in the mixture. The resin binder prior to curing is a liquid and has a surface tension, viscosity, and wetability with the heating element (44) to achieve the dome configuration.

Abstract: The 1,5′-bitetrazole of the invention comprises 1,5′-bitetrazole, and ammonia or an amine. The 1,5′-bitetrazole of the invention decomposes sharply and generates a nontoxic gas.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) and a gas generating composition (16). The gas generating composition (16), when ignited, produces gas to inflate the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20). The gas generating composition (16) comprises phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) and an organic fuel. The organic fuel comprises nitroguanidine (NQ) and a supplemental, non-salt fuel selected from the group consisting of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole-5-one (NTO) and cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX).

Abstract: Storage-stable sols are comprised of a colloidal dispersion of at least one compound of an acidic metal cation, Mn+, for example, cerium (IV) and/or iron (III), in an organic phase which comprises an organic liquid medium and an organic acid. The title sols are conveniently prepared via the phase transfer of colloidal particulates from a counterpart aqueous colloidal dispersion.

Abstract: Batch-mode and continuous-mode decomposition of nitrous oxide is used to provide multiple ignitions of a solid-propellant gas generator and subsequently control its output gas temperature and flow rate, respectively. To reignite the solid-propellant gas generator, a controlled mass of a reactive oxidizer, such as hot nitrous oxide decomposition products, is injected into the gas generator chamber.