Abstract: Polybutadiene-compatible, energetic nitrate ester plasticizers of aliphatic hydroxyl compounds, having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms per molecule, and a carbon/nitrate-group (C/NO.sub.3) ratio of 3 to 8 are described. The plasticizers allow to reduce the solids content of PBD-propellant compositions, resulting in significantly improved processabilty and, in many instances, also better mechanical properties. The very low viscosity of the uncured propellant binders permits processing and cure at ambient temperature, yielding essentially stress-free grains, thus lessening the danger of grain-cracking and/or propellant insulation debonding during long-term storage. Another benefit of the energetic plasticizers is a substantially reduced cure-rate, making an exceptionally long potlife feasible. Specific impulse, density, and burning rate are slightly increased, while NOL-sleeve detonability remains negative at zero cards.

Abstract: A phase-stable, oxidizer-grade zinc diammine complex stabilized ammonium nitrate that retains its phase-stability, has a minimum hygroscopicity and cure interference, is prepared by dissolving an anhydrous zinc diammine complex, which may be either the sulfate, perchlorate or nitrate, in dry molten ammonium nitrate. The complex is best prepared in a separate step by melting a 3/1 molar mixture of ammonium nitrate with zinc oxide which produces the zinc diammine dinitrate complex contaminated with the water of the reaction. The melt is dried by driving off the water. First by simple boiling, and the final traces by means of purging with dry air or nitrogen gas. The ammonia lost in this drying operation is exactly replenished by purging with anhydrous ammonia gas. The sulfate complex is obtained by co-dissolving an essentially stoichiometric quantity of ammonium sulfate in either the melt of the complex or the bulk of the molten ammonium nitrate.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved cure catalyst, ferric-bis(acetylacetonato)oxinate, for urethane polymers derived form polyetherdiols and thiols, polybutadienediols and triols, polyesters and the like.

Abstract: An improved bonding agent for a solid rocket propellant, having the general formula[X.sub.2 N(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NX).sub.n CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NX.sub.2 ] (HO.sub.3 SC.sub.6 H.sub.4 CH.sub.3).sub.zwherein n is an integer having a value of 1 to 11, X is --H or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CN; wherein the amount of --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CN, expressed as y, is in the approximate range of 0.15 (n+4) to 0.45 (n+4), the amount of HO.sub.3 SC.sub.6 H.sub.4 CH.sub.3, expressed as z, is in the approximate range of 0.01 (n+4) to 0.25 (n+4), and the ratio y:z is in the range of 1.5:1 to 3:1.

Abstract: A system for improving the mechanical properties of high energy propellants utilizing solid poly(ethylene oxide) diol polymeric binders by adding minor amounts of soluble perchlorate salts to the propellant formulation.

Abstract: A catalytic system for use in the formation of polyurethane propellants in which compounds of the type Fe (AA).sub.2 X, where AA is the acetylacetonate radical and X is an acid radical. These compounds have been found to be valuable catalysts for promoting the alcohol-isocyanate reaction at room temperature.

Abstract: A catalyst system for promoting the room temperature of isocyatic cured polyurethane based propellants. The system is composed of a metal catalyst; a chelating agent or an acid as a suppressor component; and zinc oxide as a scavenger component. The suppressor inactivates the catalyst, thus providing the necessary potlife, while the scavenger slowly consumes the suppressor, thus restoring the activity of the catalyst, which then promotes an effective cure.

Abstract: A two component catalyst system for use in promoting the cure of polyurethane propellants composed of zinc oxide as the first component and either acetylacetone, linoleic acid, .alpha.-bromotetradecanoic acid or p-toluensulfonic acid as the second component.

Abstract: This patent describes a novel solid rocket propellant comprising a polyurethane binder, a solid ammonium perchlorate oxidizing agent, and an effective bond improving amount of a bonding agent having the general formula:X.sub.2 N(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NX).sub.n CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NX.sub.2wherein n is an integer and can assume values from 1 to 12, and X is hydrogen, cyanoethyl, hydroxypropyl or mixtures thereof with the proviso that at least one of said X groups is hydrogen.