Abstract: A laboratory-scale device for assisting in the simulation of heat setting conditions includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart flexible heat-resistant cords (e.g., formed of aramid fibers) tensioned between forward and rearward rigid cross-support bars. At least one rigid tensioning bar is provided parallel to the support cords and extending between the cross-support bars so as to maintain the desired tension on the flexible heat-resistant cords. The tensioning bar thus allows for manual or automated lateral winding of the synthetic heat-settable fibers or yarns about the spaced-apart heat-resistant cords during preparation of the device for a laboratory test run. The tensioning bar may thereafter be removed once the device has been secured in position with the laboratory heat-setting oven. In such a manner, therefore, various effects on heat-setting conditions simulating can be investigated.

Abstract: A process for preparing triaminoguanidine nitrate from relatively impure -99 percent)/commercial guanidine nitrate and commercial grade aqueous hydrazine (50-64 weight percent) in alcohol by: (1) adding enough hydrazine to form monoaminoguanidine nitrate, diaminoguanidine nitrate, or mixtures thereof, (2) physically removing the alcohol insoluble, solid impurities from the solution, (3) adding the remainder of the hydrazine needed to form triaminoguanidine nitrate, (4) adding nitric acid to adjust the pH to from 4.5 to 5.5, and (6) isolating the product triaminoguanidine nitrate.

Abstract: A mixing arrangement (113) for mixing volatile materials (118, 119) in a mixing container (114), including mixing blades (118, 119) and a drive mechanism (117), at least one of said blades (118, 119) holding a temperature detection arrangement (250) effective for detecting bulk temperature levels in said materials during mixing operation and thereby enabling control of the velocity of the mixing blades (118, 119) in the materials being mixed, said temperature detection arrangement being effective for external communication of information developed during detection operation.

Abstract: An explosive ternary nitrate mixture of ethylenediamine dinitrate, ammonium itrate, and potassium is prepared by mixing together approximately stoichiometric amounts of aqueous nitric acid, ethylenediamine, ammonia, and potassium hydroxide at a temperature of less than about 130.degree. C. The additions can be made simultaneously or sequentially in any order.

Abstract: 3-Buten-1-ol is synthesized from 1,3-butanediol by heating a polyol in the resence of a trivalent metal sulfate to a temperature from about 70.degree. C. below to about 100.degree. C. above the boiling point of 1,3-butanediol.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing crosslinked double base propellants which incls compounding the propellant with no more than 0.1 weight percent of a crosslinking catalyst, partially curing the propellant by a mild heat prior to extrusion until the energetic binder is plasticized but not crosslinked, and extruding the propellant in a ram extruder at a temperature from 120.degree. F. to 150.degree. F. before the crosslinking mechanism has become too advanced for extrusion.

Abstract: A process for extracting essentially pure unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine UDMH) from a solution containing UDMH, water, and other volatiles and non-volatiles, comprises charging a distillation stillpot with the UDMH solution, mixing into the solution sufficient caustic sodium hydroxide so as to cause the solution to separate into a two layer system, mixing isopropanol into the two layer system, and distilling off the essentially pure UDMH distillate.

Abstract: Ballistic modifiers of up to one micron in size are slurried and mixed with high impulse propellant slurry in order to produce a high impulse propellant having a plateau or mesa burning characteristic.