Abstract: Pyrotechnic compositions are provided herein. The pyrotechnic composition includes potassium nitrate (KNO3), potassium perchlorate (KClO4), an inorganic fuel including boron, an organic fuel including one or more of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and one or more binders. The pyrotechnic composition may have one or more of: a heat of explosion (HEX) of greater than or equal to about 5.000 J/g, a maximum flame temperature at combustion (Tc) of greater than or equal to about 2,500 K (2,227° C.), and a gas yield of greater than or equal to about 15 moles/kg. Methods of preparing the pyrotechnic composition are also provided including wet granulation methods.

Abstract: Cool burning hydrate fuels are provided for gas generant compositions for automotive inflatable restraint systems. The cool burning hydrate fuel is a compound comprising carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, a transition metal, and optionally nitrogen. The cool burning hydrate fuel is a transition metal salt of an organic compound or transition metal complex salt having (i) at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of: amide, imide, hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, and combinations thereof, (ii) an oxygen-to-carbon mole ratio of greater than or equal to about 0.5, (iii) at least one-half a water molecule of hydration, and (iv) an exothermic heat of formation of at least about ?400 KJ/mole. The fuel may have a water release temperature of ?about 140° C. The cool burning hydrate fuel may be one or more of copper cyanurate dihydrate, a copper melamine oxalate dihydrate, and a copper malonate hydrate.

Abstract: A gas generant composition for an automotive inflatable restraint system is provided with a fuel having a thermally stable crystalline hydrate compound with a water release temperature of greater than or equal to about 140° C. The thermally stable crystalline hydrate compound serves as a ballistic modifier, which can serve to increase burn rate, reduce pressure sensitivity, reduce temperature sensitivity, and the like. The thermally stable crystalline hydrate compound may be selected from the group consisting of: a copper phthalate hydrate, copper pyromellitate dihydrate, copper fumarate dihydrate, copper (3-nitrophthalate) dihydrate, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Cool burning gas generant compositions for an automotive inflatable restraint system are provided that include a bismuth-containing compound selected from the group consisting of: bismuth citrate, bismuth subsalicylate, bismuth hydroxide, copper bismuth hydroxy nitrate, bismuth subcarbonate, bismuth suboxalate, and combinations thereof. The gas generant comprises at least one copper-containing component. The gas generant includes at least one oxidizer, fuel, and optional coolant. The maximum flame temperature at combustion (Tc) of less than or equal to about 1700K (1,427° C.). The cool burning gas generant composition generates liquid phase combustion products making it suitable for use in a filterless inflatable restraint system. Copper and bismuth present in the cool burning gas generant composition react to form an alloy having a melting point at or near the maximum flame temperature at combustion (Tc).

Abstract: Cool burning gas generant compositions for an automotive inflatable restraint system are provided that include a bismuth-containing compound selected from the group consisting of: bismuth citrate, bismuth subsalicylate, bismuth hydroxide, copper bismuth hydroxy nitrate, bismuth subcarbonate, bismuth suboxalate, and combinations thereof. The gas generant comprises at least one copper-containing component. The gas generant includes at least one oxidizer, fuel, and optional coolant. The maximum flame temperature at combustion (Tc) of less than or equal to about 1700K (1,427° C.). The cool burning gas generant composition generates liquid phase combustion products making it suitable for use in a filterless inflatable restraint system. Copper and bismuth present in the cool burning gas generant composition react to form an alloy having a melting point at or near the maximum flame temperature at combustion (Tc).

Abstract: A gas generant composition for an automotive inflatable restraint system includes one or more: fuels, such as guanidine nitrate; oxidizers, such as basic copper nitrate; and an alkaline earth zirconium oxide. The gas generant composition is substantially free of potassium perchlorate. The alkaline earth zirconium oxide may be barium zirconate (BaZrO3), calcium zirconate (CaZrO3), and/or strontium zirconate (SrZrO3). The alkaline earth zirconium oxide may be present at ?about 0.1% by mass to ?about 6% by mass of the gas generant composition. Such gas generants may be cool burning (e.g., a maximum flame temperature at combustion (Tc) of ?about 1700K (1,427° C.)), have a linear burn rate of ?about 20 mm per second at a pressure of about 21 MPa and a linear burn rate pressure exponent (n) of ?about 0.35. Method of making such gas generants are also provided.

Abstract: An igniter composition has (i) a source of copper selected from basic copper nitrate, copper oxide, copper hydroxide, and/or copper complex of guanylurea nitrate, (ii) one or more oxidizers, (iii) a binder selected from guanidine nitrate and/or guanylurea nitrate, and (iv) an inorganic fuel comprising an elemental metal or metal hydride selected from the group consisting of: titanium, silicon, aluminum, magnesium, iron, and combinations thereof. The igniter composition may be substantially free of boron or contain minimal amounts of boron. A minimum flame temperature at combustion (Tc) of ?about 2300K (2,027° C.). Such a mixture may be spray dried to form a powder that is compacted to form a solid igniter composition, such as a pellet or grain. The mixture that is spray dried may have a heat of explosion (HEX) of ?about 1,000 calories per gram (cal/g). Inorganic fuel can then be added to the spray-dried powder.

Abstract: A gas generant composition for passive inflatable restraint systems (e.g., airbags) for automobiles is provided that comprises a melamine oxalate compound. The gas generant may be a cool burning gas generant composition that comprises a melamine oxalate compound, a co-fuel, such as guanidine nitrate, and an oxidizer, such as basic copper nitrate. The gas generant composition has advantageous combustion properties, including a maximum flame temperature at combustion (Tc) of ?about 1700 K (1,427° C.), a linear burn rate of ?about 18 mm per second at a pressure of about 10 megapascals (MPa), a gas yield of the gas generant composition of ?about 5.7 moles/100 cm3, and a linear burn rate pressure exponent of ?about 0.35.

Abstract: A gas generant composition for an automotive inflatable restraint system is provided with a fuel having a thermally stable crystalline hydrate compound with a water release temperature of greater than or equal to about 140° C. The thermally stable crystalline hydrate compound serves as a ballistic modifier, which can serve to increase burn rate, reduce pressure sensitivity, reduce temperature sensitivity, and the like. The thermally stable crystalline hydrate compound may be selected from the group consisting of: a copper phthalate hydrate, copper pyromellitate dihydrate, copper fumarate dihydrate, copper (3-nitrophthalate) dihydrate, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Cool burning hydrate fuels are provided for gas generant compositions for automotive inflatable restraint systems. The cool burning hydrate fuel is a compound comprising carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, a transition metal, and optionally nitrogen. The cool burning hydrate fuel is a transition metal salt of an organic compound or transition metal complex salt having (i) at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of: amide, imide, hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, and combinations thereof, (ii) an oxygen-to-carbon mole ratio of greater than or equal to about 0.5, (iii) at least one-half a water molecule of hydration, and (iv) an exothermic heat of formation of at least about ?400 KJ/mole. The fuel may have a water release temperature of ?about 140° C. The cool burning hydrate fuel may be one or more of copper cyanurate dihydrate, a copper melamine oxalate dihydrate, and a copper malonate hydrate.

Abstract: A fire suppression system for producing an inert gas mixture having a minimal amount of carbon monoxide, particulates, or smoke. The inert gas mixture may be generated by combusting a gas generant. The gas generant may be a composition that includes hexa(ammine)-cobalt(III)-nitrate. The fire suppression system also includes a heat management system to reduce a temperature of the inert gas mixture. In one embodiment, the system includes multiple gas generators and is configured to ignite the respective gas generant of each gas generator in a predetermined, time based sequential order. For example, the gas generant of each gas generator may be ignited in a sequential order at specified time intervals. Methods of extinguishing fires are also disclosed.

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 amine, metal nitrate amine, and metal perchlorate amine 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: Bonding agents for use in formulating solid propellants are described. The bonding agents have a Schiff base, or Schiff base and hydroxyl or amine functionality. These materials are synthesized by reacting a primary amine with an aldehyde to form a Schiff base. By definition, a Schiff base comprises the reaction product of a primary amine and an aldehyde. In one embodiment of the invention, such a product is produced by the reaction of a polyoxyalkyleneamine (JEFFAMINE®) with p-nitrobenzaldehyde and glycidol. The result is a polyether having both hydroxyl and Schiff base functionality. The bonding agents provide superior performance, while avoiding problems, such as ammonia production during processing, encountered when using existing bonding agents. Propellants formulated using these bonding agents have mechanical properties within acceptable ranges.

Abstract: A gas generating pyrotechnic composition that in addition to a primary fuel component and a primary oxidizer component includes critical relative amounts of elemental carbon and cupric oxide. Also provided are associated methods for producing an inflation gas for an occupant restraint system of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to gas generants used in inflatable restraint systems. The gas generant grains formed via spray drying techniques of the present disclosure provide superior performance, including high burn rates and high gas yields. Further, processing of the gas generant grain products can be streamlined. Such gas generants include by way of non-limiting example, guanidine nitrate, basic copper nitrate, and a secondary oxidizer, such as potassium perchlorate.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relate to gas generants used in inflatable restraint systems. The gas generant grains include a fuel mixture having at least one fuel and at least one oxidizer, which have a burn rate that is susceptible to pressure sensitivity during combustion. The gas generant composition further includes a plurality of pressure sensitivity modifying glass fiber particles distributed therein to lessen the pressure sensitivity and/or to increase combustion stability of the gas generant. Such gas generants can be formed via spray drying techniques.

Abstract: Methods and systems of providing a source of hydrogen and oxygen with high volumetric energy density, as well as a power systems useful in non-air breathing engines such as those in, for example, submersible vehicles, is disclosed. A hydride reactor may be utilized in forming hydrogen from a metal hydride and a peroxide reactor may be utilized in forming oxygen from hydrogen peroxide. The high temperature hydrogen and oxygen may be converted to water using a solid oxide fuel cell, which serves as a power source. The power generation system may have an increased energy density in comparison to conventional batteries. Heat produced by exothermic reactions in the hydride reactor and the peroxide reactor may be transferred and utilized in other aspects of the power generation system. High temperature water produced during by the peroxide reactor may be used to fuel the hydride reactor.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an inflator device for a passive restraint device, like an airbag. In certain aspects, a fuel-rich gas generant grain is located in actuating proximity to an initiator device. The grain has at least one flow channel through which a shock wave generated by the initiator device passes. The shock wave opens a burst disc between the inflator housing and downstream airbag to permit gases to flow into the airbag. A chamber storing pressurized gas (having at least one oxidant, e.g., O2) is also disposed within the inflator. Upon initiator actuation, the oxidant can react with combustion products of the initiator and the fuel-rich gas generant and flow into the airbag for rapid inflation. Methods of inflating airbags and improving airbag deployment reliability are provided. Such inflators are particularly suitable for large volume (greater than 60 liter) airbags.

Abstract: A fire suppression system for producing an inert gas mixture having a minimal amount of carbon monoxide, particulates, or smoke. The inert gas mixture may be generated by combusting a gas generant. The gas generant may be a composition that includes hexa(ammine)-cobalt(III)-nitrate. The fire suppression system also includes a heat management system to reduce a temperature of the inert gas mixture. A method of extinguishing fires is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ionic liquid is disclosed. A precursor composition that comprises at least one ionic liquid and at least one energetic material is also disclosed, as is a method of synthesizing an ionic liquid and a method of desensitizing an explosive composition.