Abstract: Water in oil emulsion explosives are prepared by a process in which diazonium salts are incorporated into the explosives matrix and decomposed in-situ.

Abstract: Gas generating compositions contain a non-azide fuel, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) and silicon. These gas generant compositions yield inflation gases having a reduced content of undesirable gases such as NO.sub.x and CO. The gas generanting compositions preferably contain 5-aminotetrazole at a concentration of 15-30 wt. % as the fuel, an oxidizer system at a concentration of 35-80 wt. % which comprises phase stabilized ammonium nitrate, at least 0.5 wt. % silicon, about 1 wt. % iron oxide and at least one material selected from binders and processing aids. The gas generating compositions are useful for inflating vehicle occupant restraint devices and for pyrotechnically operated fire suppression devices. The high level of gases produced by the compositions of the invention allow for smaller inflators which reduce the costs of production and the saving of weight.

Abstract: Inhibited Red Fuming Nitric Acid (IRFNA) type IIIB and monomethyl hydrazine (MMH) ignite when contacted with each other because of a hypergolic chemical reaction and are the preferred oxidizer and fuel for bipropellant rocket propulsion systems. These propellants can deliver a specific impulse of 284 lbf sec/Ibm and density impulse of 13.36 lbf sec/cubic inch when the engine operating pressure is 2000 psi. Special precautions must be used when handling because of its toxic properties. A fuel gel propellant fuel that would be a suitable replacement for MMH must be less toxic and have a competitive density impulse for the same engine operating conditions. Three compounds meeting the specified requirements have been synthesized and their physical and ballistic properties are evaluated herein as shown in Table 1. The chemical names for these compounds are dimethylaminoethylazide (DMAZ), pyrollidinylethylazide (PYAZ), and bis (ethyl azide)methylamine (BAZ).

Abstract: A plasticizer-free propellant for inflating passenger airbags in vehicles mprising from about 78 to about 90 weight percent of cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) and from about 10 to about 22 weight percent of a plasticizer-free polymer binder formed by curing a mixture of a polyoctenamer and a polymer comprising an acrylate polymer or a methacrylate polymer having a glass transition temperature of -30.degree. C. or lower and 0.01 to 5 weight percent based on the total amount of the monomers, of a crosslinking monomer having two or more double bonds of substantially the same reactivity in the molecule or one double bond and a crosslinking functional group such as an epoxide ring, a hydroxyl group, or a carbonyl group. This propellant is useful in hybrid inflators for air/safety bags in vehicles.

Abstract: An autoignition composition for the gas generator of a vehicle occupant restraint system that is thermally stable at temperatures up to 110.degree. C., autoignites between 150.degree. C. and 175.degree. C., produces minimal toxic gases upon combustion, provides for a reduced gas inflator size, and can be safely produced using simple processing methods. By mixing an alkali metal nitrite with a nitrogen-based fuel, the resulting gas generants autoignite at or below 175.degree. C. The addition of an alkaline earth metal nitrite or nitrate provides the stability needed to additionally function as a booster and/or a gas generant.

Abstract: The combination of guanidine nitrate (GN), aminoguanidine nitrate (AGN) and potassium perchlorate (KP) in defined proportions serves as an effective gas generative composition that displays enhanced burning rate performance at 2000 and 4000 psi. Through the addition thereto of small amounts of potassium nitrate (KN) the burning rate and pressure component of the composition is further improved and through the addition of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) both greater dimensional strength and superior stability are provided.

Abstract: Solvent is extracted by distillation from a residue filtrate generated in producing aluminium paste by filtering a slurry of aluminium particles, at least one fatty acid and a solvent. The distillation produces a residue wax. The wax is used to form a coating composition for coating onto prills of ammonium nitrate to provide at least a part substitute or replacement for conventional fuel oil coatings, especially for use in commercial explosives.

Abstract: A liquid oxidizer for propellants or explosives comprising nitric acid (Hsub.3), ammonium nitrate (NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3), and water.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of sensitizing a base emulsion of the water-in-oil type, and the invention provides also a sensitized emulsion explosive comprising an emulsion of the water-in-oil type when produced by the method. The method comprises dispersing, in the base emulsion, a sensitizing solution having a solvent which comprises at most 50% by mass water, the balance of the solvent being organic, and a solute which is a chemical sensitizing agent.

Abstract: Gas generating compositions and methods for their use are provided. Metal complexes are used as gas generating compositions. These complexes are comprised of a metal cation template, a neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen, and sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex. The complexes are formulated such that when the complex combusts, nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced. Specific examples of such complexes include metal nitrite ammine, metal nitrate ammine, and metal perchlorate ammine complexes, as well as hydrazine complexes. A binder and co-oxidizer can be combined with the metal complexes to improve crush strength of the gas generating compositions and to permit efficient combustion of the binder. Such gas generating compositions are adaptable for use in gas generating devices such as automobile air bags.

Abstract: The morphology of multidimensional, thermally stable oligomers is combined with the inclusion of charge carrier linkages within the polymer arms to produce thermally stable advanced composites from cured oligomers that are conductive or semiconductive if suitably doped.

Abstract: Nonazide gas generant compositions, useful for inflating passenger restraint gas inflator bags, comprise a multimetallic coordination complex oxidizer selected from coordination complexes comprised of anionic nitro and nitrito ligands coordinated with a transitional metal template, and a cationic component comprised of two or more different metals. The gas generant compositions generate relatively more gas and are significantly less toxic than known azide gas generant compositions, and furthermore, generate solids that are readily filterable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an autoignition composition for safely initiating combustion of a main pyrotechnic charge in a gas generator or pyrotechnic device exposed to flame or a high temperature environment. The autoignition compositions of the invention include a mixture of an oxidizer composition and a powdered metal, wherein the oxidizer composition includes at least one of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal nitrate, a complex salt nitrate, such as Ce(NH.sub.4).sub.2 (NO.sub.3).sub.6 or ZrO(NO.sub.3).sub.2, a dried, hydrated nitrate, such as Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2.4H.sub.2 O or Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2.2.5 H.sub.2 O, silver nitrate, an alkali or alkaline earth chlorate, an alkali or alkaline earth metal perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate, a nitrite of sodium, potassium, or silver, or a solid organic nitrate, nitrite, or amine, such as guanidine nitrate, nitroguanidine and 5-aminotetrazole, respectively.

Abstract: Liquid nitromalonate polyesters and methods for their preparation are disclosed. Solid propellants are provided which employ as the binder a nitromalonate polyester. These propellants are resistant to plasticizer syneresis and crystallization and provide an increase in the specific impulse of the propellant.

Abstract: A melt cast explosive containing bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)fumarate or 2,2-diropropyl-4,4-dinitropentanoate and a metal fuel such as aluminum, magnesium, boron, hafnium, zirconium or alloys or mixtures thereof. An inert thermoplastic elastomer diluent may be added to improve the strength of the explosive.

Abstract: Composition comprising 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitrohexaazoisonurtitane (CL-20) coated with a shock sensitivity reducing agent whereby the shock sensitivity of the composition is reduced a statistically significant amount.

Abstract: The processing and cure of high solids (>85%) composite propellants at ambient temperature and pressure is accomplished by using a small amount (.ltoreq.0.1 weight percent) of a liquid dialkyl tin catalyst, such as dibutyltindiacetate and dibutyltindilaurate. The propellant binder system is composed of a branched, oxygen-containing polymer, such as polyethers, polypropylene oxide, polybutylene oxide, high homologues or mixtures thereof, and a sterically hindered diisocyanate curing agent. The liquid dialkyl tin catalyst unexpectedly serves as a wetting agent to lower the viscosity of the composite propellant formulation.

Abstract: Composition comprising 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitrohexaazoisonurtitane (CL-20) coated with a shock sensitivity reducing agent whereby the shock sensitivity of the composition is reduced a statistically significant amount.

Abstract: Composition comprising 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitrohexaazoisonurtitane (CL-20) coated with a shock sensitivity reducing agent whereby the shock sensitivity of the composition is reduced a statistically significant amount.

Abstract: A gas generating composition, particularly for inflating devices such as air bag inflators, includes an effective amount of an exploded aluminum powder to both increase the burning rate and lower the composition's pressure exponent.