Abstract: An apparatus for the deployment of a visible plume to alert other motorists that a proximate motor vehicle has been involved in a collision is described as having a tube which is open at one end disposed at the top and closed at a distal end. The distal end houses an activation device that is used to detonate an explosive charge in response to the detection of an output signal. The output signal is generated by a sensor subsequent to the motor vehicle experiencing an impact of sufficient magnitude. Both the sensor and the output signal are compatible with current technologies used to detect impacts which result in the deployment of air bags, and accordingly the device may rely upon these systems as may already be installed in the motor vehicle. The explosive charge expels a signaling media above the motor vehicle in a plume above the motor vehicle to visually alert other motorists that a collision has occurred.

Abstract: A new family of transition metal boride coatings having excellent wear and corrosion resistance is disclosed. The coatings comprise hard, ultrafine, transition metal boride particles dispersed in a metal matrix, the particles constituting from about 30 to about 90 volume percent of the coating, the balance being metal matrix. The average size of the particles ranges from about 0.5 to about 3.0 microns. The metal matrix contains at least one metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and iron. The coatings may be prepared by a process which comprises depositing a mechanically blended powder mixture of a transition metal and a boron-containing alloy onto a substrate and then heat treating the as-deposited coating. The heat treatment effects a diffusion reaction between the deposited elements resulting in the formation of ultrafine particles of a transition metal boride dispersed in the metal matrix. The coating can be deposited onto the substrate using any of the known deposition techniques.

Abstract: A launcher for launching aerial firework shells into the air includes a base and an upright tubular member. The tubular member is constructed of a plastic that resists damage from the explosive force of the fireworks and allows substantial reuse of the launcher for multiple shells. The tubular member is seated in an indentation in the base that snugly receives the sides of the tubular member. The tubular member is preferably secured to the base by stainless steel staples to allow for use of the launcher in a damp environment and over multiple years.

Abstract: A device and process for plugging an explosives blasthole, the device having an inner member (7a, 7b) in the form of a conduit having a valve (9) and being adapted for the passage of fluid bulk explosives and an outer member (1) adapted to engage the walls of the blasthole. The outer member may be made of deformable material or be inflatable. The inner and outer members may be detachable.

Abstract: A coating for a gun propellant powder wherein the graphite commonly used to coat a gun propellant powder is totally or partially replaced with molybdenum disulfide in an amount equal to or less than five tenths percent by weight of the propellant powder.

Abstract: A new family of titanium carbide/tungsten boride coatings having excellent wear and corrosion resistance is disclosed. The coatings comprise hard, ultrafine, titanium carbide particles and tungsten boride precipitates dispersed in a metal matrix, the two phases constituting from about 30 to about 80 volume percent of the coating, the balance being metal matrix. The metal matrix contains at least one metal selected from a group consisting of nickel, cobalt and iron. The coatings may be prepared by a process which comprises depositing a mechanically blended powder mixture composed of separate components including a first component containing tungsten carbide and a second component containing boron and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and iron, the powder mixture including titanium in the first or second component or in a separate third component, at least one of the first, second or third components having a melting point below about 1200.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for producing substantially spherical energetic compounds such as ammonium dinitramide (ADN) which minimizes the time during which the ADN is melted involves providing solid ADN, feeding the ADN at a controlled continuous rate to a heating means, melting the ADN, the melted ADN being fed continuously to a non-solvent cooling fluid maintained at a temperature below the temperature of solidification of the ADN, the cooling fluid agitated in a manner which promotes the formation of droplets of controlled size which solidify in the cooling fluid to produce substantially spherical ammonium dinitramide in a particle size corresponding to the droplet size.

Abstract: An improved cast explosive charge and a method of manufacturing said cast explosive charges utilizing an automated assembly system. The explosive charges are produced by combining two elongate cast segments, thereby abutting an exterior surface of one segment, formed by explosive material into an exterior surface of a second segment formed by explosive material, and attaching the cast segments together with wrapping material. The cast explosive charge produced by this method of manufacturing exhibits a markedly improved detonation velocity.

Abstract: A coating for sealing carbon--carbon composites against hydrogen. The coating comprises a first layer of silicon carbide and a second layer of a glass, glass-ceramic or a low-melting-point metal such as tin or an alloy thereof. Particularly when such second layer is a glass, e.g. an SiO.sub.2 -containing glass, or a glass-ceramic, preferably the silicon carbide coating is pretreated, e.g. by oxidation thereof to form a thin layer of SiO.sub.2 prior to application of the glass layer. The glass layer can be an SiO.sub.2 glass formed by sputtering or by decomposition of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) applied to the oxidized silicon carbide coating. An alkali metal oxide, e.g. Na.sub.2 O, or an alkaline earth metal oxide, e.g. BaO, can be added to the SiO.sub.2 glass.

Abstract: A loading tube of a perforating gun includes a plurality of mating holes, where each mating hole has a specific and predetermined contour, and a case of a shaped charge, adapted to fit within the mating hole, includes a pair of retaining lugs and a pair of shoulder lugs, which lugs are adapted to uniquely cooperate with the contour of the mating hole of the loading tube for securing the shaped charge to the loading tube. The predetermined contour of each mating hole includes a pair of slots disposed opposite one another in the mating hole, and a pair of grooves disposed opposite one another in the mating hole but offset from the pair of slots. Each pair of grooves includes a large radius groove and a small radius groove. The pair of retaining lugs of the shaped charge case are adapted to be received, respectively, in the pair of slots of the contour of the mating hole; whereas the pair of shoulder lugs are adapted to be initially received in the pair of large radius grooves of the contour of the mating hole.

Abstract: In-hole and surface detonators are provided which are essentially free from primary explosives. The detonators utilize a high energy pyrotechnic mixture of a fuel and an oxidizer for initiation of a base charge enclosed in the detonator, or for the initiation of an adjacent shock tube. Improved safety during manufacture of detonators is achieved.

Abstract: An explosive particle-containing carrier material (24b) and a fully jacketed finished explosive material (33, 33') containing it, e.g., detonating cord, are produced in a high-speed continuous process by impregnating an absorbent carrier material such as cotton yarn (14) with a solution (12) of an explosive. Explosive particles (46) are precipitated from solution within the solution-impregnated carrier material (20) either by contacting the latter with a non-solvent fluid and/or subjecting it to flash evaporation under a vacuum. Rapid precipitation yields superfine explosive crystals (particles 46) within the carrier material (24b). Residual liquid non-solvent and/or solvent is removed from the carrier material, which may be encased in a plastic cover (38, 38') to provide a finished article (33, 33').

Abstract: A stemming plug constructed from a durable, resilient material and comprising a circumferential wall defining an inner cavity, an end wall at the first end and an open second end. In the preferred embodiment, the circumferential wall is fluted so that it can easily compress and seat in a borehole while maintaining a snug friction fit. The plug is inserted in the borehole over the explosive charge. Stemming material, preferably rock, is placed on top of the plug. The stemming material covers the top and slides down around the circumferential wall and is lodged between the circumferential wall and the borehole. Upon explosion, the blast energy is forced into the inner cavity causing the circumferential wall to expand outwardly and thereby engaging the stemming material and the borehole wall to secure the plug in place. The stemming material can also be placed inside the plug, with blast energy inverting the plug end wall to wedge stemming material within the borehole.

Abstract: Thickened emulsion compositions comprising a discontinuous oxidizer phase, continuous fuel phase, an emulsifier and a thickener composition comprising a carboxyl-containing polymer and a promoter selected from the group consisting of sodium thiocyanate and thiourea are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for fabricating weapons-grade plutonium into mixed-oxide fuel for use in a nuclear reactor. The plutonium is converted into plutonia powder at a site remote from the fuel fabrication facility and then the plutonia powder is pressed and fired into high-density plutonia pellets for transport to the fuel fabrication facility. The high-density plutonia pellets serve as a diversion-resistant and environmentally sound method of shipping the plutonia for use as a feed material. Comminution methods are employed to reduce the plutonia pellets to a fine powder for blending with urania feed to produce mixed oxide acceptable for reactor operation.

Abstract: A watergel explosive composition is described which contains an oxidiser salt, a sensitiser, a thickener, a crosslinking agent, a fuel and less than 8%, by mass, of the composition of water. The explosive composition is cap sensitive in packages or cartridges having a diameter of about 26 mm or less at temperatures below about 5.degree. C. when detonated with a standard number 6 strength detonator. The explosive composition does not require a supplementary sensitisor or a perchlorate salt to achieve this cap sensitivity. A method of producing the explosive composition by separately preparing a thickened aqueous phase and a dry phase, and allowing the thickened phase to stand for a period of time before the mixing of the two phases, as well as explosive paper cartridge containing the watergel explosive composition, are also described.

Abstract: An assembly for generating an optical marking of the flight path of an air/space vehicle propelled by a power unit is associated with the power unit, and mixes the marking output of the generator with either the exhaust of the power unit or air streaming past the vehicle. The generator may generate smoke or steam. In the case of a smoke generator, the assembly may include an annular chamber surrounding a central passageway through which the power unit exhaust passes. The exhaust ignites a smoke-generating charge in the annular chamber, the smoke generated passing through bores in the annular chamber.

Abstract: A method of increasing the water resistance of a blasting explosive comprising an organic carbonaceous fuel, an inorganic oxidizing salt having a particular particle size distribution and a gelling agent comprising the step of adding to the blasting explosive a particulate filler material. The particle size distribution of the particulate filler material and the inorganic oxidizing salt are selected to increase the water resistance of the blasting explosive.

Abstract: Multiphase ceramic composites containing single phase silicon aluminum oxynitride and boron nitride wherein the boron nitride is one phase in the composite and the single phase silicon aluminum oxynitride is the matrix phase in the composite. The boron nitride phase is uniformly distributed in the form of discrete particles throughout the single phase silicon aluminum oxynitride matrix. A window transparent to electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined frequency spectrum is made by forming a homogeneous, finely-divided mixture of boron nitride and single phase silicon aluminum oxynitride matrix-forming compound and compacting the homogeneous, finely-divided mixture at an elevated temperature and pressure for a sufficient time to form the composite. In a preferred embodiment, about 75% by weight homogeneous, finely-divided mixture of single phase silicon aluminum oxynitride matrix-forming compound and the balance boron nitride is densified at a temperature of 1,760.degree. C.

Abstract: Clean burning, non-self extinguishing propellant compositions for use in hybrid automotive air bag systems are disclosed. The propellant compositions are based on a mixture of a crystalline nitramine propellant, an energetic or non-energetic binder and one or a combination of an oxidizing propellant and an energetic plasticizer.