Abstract: Nondetonable, or low detonation sensitivity, substantially nontoxic liquid monopropellants are provided. The liquid propellants are formed from aqueous solutions of solid oxidizers in liquid oxidizers and water soluble liquid fuels and formulated to have a freezing point less than ?10° C. Liquid oxidizers may be inorganic or organic aqueous solutions, with hydrogen peroxide being preferred. Preferred solid oxidizers are water soluble nitrates including ammonium dinitramide, aminoguanidine dinitrate, ammonium nitrate, hydroxylamine nitrate, hydrazine nitrate, guanidine nitrate and aminoguanidine nitrate. Preferred liquid fuels are water soluble alcohols, amines and amine nitrates, hydroxyethyl hydrazine, hydroxyethylhydrazine nitrate, cyanoguanidine, guanidines, aminoguanidines, triaminoguanidines, and their nitrate salts, ethanolamine dinitrate, ethylenediamine dinitrate, polyvinyl nitrate, and aziridine.

Abstract: Rocket propulsion or rapid response gas generation systems and methods are disclosed in which a novel one component, single tank storable, low toxicity, low detonation sensitivity liquid monopropellant containing a mixture of aqueous 70% hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and water is catalytically decomposed with an iridium based catalyst. The resulting rapidly formed gaseous decomposition products consisting substantially of carbon dioxide and water vapor are used for rocket propulsion, satellite propulsion, divert attitude control systems for interceptor missiles, and other power control systems where a re-start capability is desired.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions exhibit low autoignition temperatures. In preferred forms, the gas generant compositions include azobisformamidine dinitrate (AZODN) and a eutectic mixture (comelt) of silver nitrate and potassium nitrate. The comelt of silver nitrate and potassium nitrate is most preferably present in the formulations of the invention in an amount to achieve a low autoignition temperature of between about 140° C. (284° F.) to about 160° C. (320° F.). The compositions of the invention may include a variety of auxiliary components typically employed in conventional gas generant compositions for their intended purpose. For example, especially preferred formulations of the present invention will include a powdered metal or metal oxide as a combustion catalyst to speed the decomposition reaction and also as a combustion aid to facilitate the ignition of the primary propellant or gas generant.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions exhibit low autoignition temperatures. In preferred forms, the gas generant compositions include azobisformamidine dinitrate (AZODN) and a eutectic mixture (comelt) of silver nitrate and potassium nitrate. The comelt of silver nitrate and potassium nitrate is most preferably present in the formulations of the invention in an amount to achieve a low autoignition temperature of between about 140° C. (284° F.) to about 160° C. (320° F.). The compositions of the invention may include a variety of auxiliary components typically employed in conventional gas generant compositions for their intended purpose. For example, especially preferred formulations of the present invention will include a powdered metal or metal oxide as a combustion catalyst to speed the decomposition reaction and also as a combustion aid to facilitate the ignition of the primary propellant or gas generant.

Abstract: Solid gas generant compositions produce low particulates of the slightly-soluble or insoluble type when combusted. More specifically the solid gas generants and/or ignition compositions are provided which include an effective combination of phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) as a oxidizer component and azodiformamidine dinitrate (AZODN) as the fuel component. Most preferably, the AN is phase stabilized with a phase stabilizing effective amount of a phase stabilizer selected from potassium perchlorate (KP) and/or potassium nitrate (KN).

Abstract: A pyrotechnic gas generant composition includes a high oxygen balance compound or fuel, preferably, azodiformamidine dinitrate, which is the resulting reaction product of an aminoguanidine salt and nitric acid. Specifically, the high oxygen balance compound or fuel of the present invention is the resulting reaction product of aminoguanidine salts, such as aminoguanidine nitrate, aminoguanidine bicarbonate, or aminoguanidine sulfate with nitric acid. Preferably, the aminoguanidine salt is aminoguanidine bicarbonate. The resulting reaction product is a yellow precipitate that can be used alone, with or without oxidizers or other additives, for very rapid self-deflagration or in combination with oxidizers and additives. In each instance, the gas generant composition provides both high gas output and low production of solid combustion products. Further, the precipitant is relatively non-hygroscopic and has a high burn rate.

Abstract: Solid gas generant compositions produce low particulates (e.g., condensed ash) when ignited. The solid gas generant compositions most preferably include a nitramine, at least one oxidizer selected from nitrates of strontium or cerium, in admixture with or without potassium perchlorate, and a binder. Graphite may optionally be employed. The gas generant compositions are usefully employed in inflatable vehicle occupant passive restraint systems (e.g., air bag systems).

Abstract: A pyrotechnic gas generant composition includes a high oxygen balance compound or fuel, preferably, azodiformamidine dinitrate, which is the resulting reaction product of an aminoguanidine salt and nitric acid. Specifically, the high oxygen balance compound or fuel of the present invention is the resulting reaction product of aminoguanidine salts, such as aminoguanidine nitrate, aminoguanidine bicarbonate, or aminoguanidine sulfate with nitric acid. Preferably, the aminoguanidine salt is aminoguanidine bicarbonate. The resulting reaction product is a yellow precipitate that can be used alone, with or without oxidizers or other additives, for very rapid self-deflagration or in combination with oxidizers and additives. In each instance, the gas generant composition provides both high gas output and low production of solid combustion products. Further, the precipitant is relatively non-hygroscopic and has a high burn rate.

Abstract: Solid pyrotechnic gas generant compositions and monopropellants are provided for use in inflators of automotive air bag restraint systems which, when combusted, produce acceptable burning rates, generate a high concentration of substantially innocuous gases, and a low concentration of substantially water insoluble non-toxic solid combustion products which limits the potential for asthmatic and pulmonary conditions. The propellant compositions provided are based on metal salts of lanthanide and rare earth elements, particularly lanthanide or rare earth nitrate salts and lanthanide or rare earth complexes with nitrogen-containing cations and nitrate anions. Scandium and cerium are preferred lanthanide and rare earth elements for these compositions.

Abstract: Gas generative compositions especially useful in inflators for protective passive restraint devices (e.g., motor vehicle air bags, escape slide chutes, lift rafts, and the like) include a nitrogen-containing fuel and an oxidizer selected from copper (II) oxide (CuO), cupric nitrate, basic copper nitrate (Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2.3Cu(OH.sub.2), strontium nitrate (Sr(NO.sub.3).sub.2) and mixtures thereof. Most preferably the nitrogen-containing fuel is azodicarbonamidine dinitrate (AZODN) and/or 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20). The compositions of the present invention provide high burning rates with acceptable burning rate pressure exponents which allow their operation at lower pressures, thereby resulting in the use of less costly, lower weight, and lower strength materials for design and manufacture of the inflator pressure vessel.

Abstract: Chlorate-free autoignition compositions are disclosed, and may be embodied in compositions comprised of (i) an azodiformamidine dinitrate (ADFD), a self-deflagrating, low ignition temperature fuel, (ii) an oxidizer (e.g., a perchlorate, nitrate or mixture thereof) and (iii) an ignition accelerator/augmentor (e.g., a metal or metal oxide powder). One especially preferred solid AIP composition in accordance with the present invention includes ADFD, a mixture of ammonium perchlorate and sodium nitrate, an iron oxide powder and a binder, such as a poly(alkylene carbonate).

Abstract: A nonazide gas generant that may be used in an inflation device, such as a vehicle passenger restraint system, comprising a hydrated or anhydrous mixture of nonazide fuel, an oxidizer and a quantity of copper phthalocyanine, otherwise known as Monarch Blue and/or azodicarbonamidine dinitrate. Specifically, the nonazide gas generant composition of the present invention may include phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN), high bulk density nitroguanidine (HBNQ), one or more nonazide fuels, a quantity of copper phthalocyanine and/or azodicarbonamidine dinitrate and optionally a binder. The gas generant composition of the present invention is capable of self-sustained burning at low or ambient temperatures and pressures, important for use in dual stage "smart" inflator automotive passenger restraint systems, while exhibiting a relatively high gas volume to solid particulate ratio upon combustion at acceptable flame temperatures.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic gas generant composition including a high oxygen balance compound or fuel which is the resulting reaction product of aminoguanidine nitrate and nitric acid. Specifically, the resulting reaction product is a yellow precipitate that can be used alone, with or without oxidizers or other additives, for very rapid self-deflagration or in combination with oxidizers and additives. In each instance, the gas generant composition provides both high gas output and low production of solid combustion products. Further, the precipitant is relatively non-hygroscopic and has a high burn rate. Specifically, the gas generating composition is useful as a gas generator for an air bag of an occupant restraint system for an automobile, gun propellants, inflation and expulsion devices, flotation devices, pyrotechnics, fire suppression devices and smokeless, reduced smoke and smokey rocket propellants.

Abstract: High nitrogen gas generant compositions, useful for inflating passenger restraint gas inflator bags, comprise a nitrogen rich coordination compound selected from coordination complexes comprised of anionic nitro and nitrito ligands coordinated with a transitional metal template, and nonmetallic or nonmetallic/metallic cations. The gas generant compositions generate relatively more gas and less solids, and are safer than known gas generant compositions. Certain gas generant compositions ignite at lower autoignition temperatures thereby facilitating the use of an aluminum or light weight metal pressure vessel. Other gas generants self-deflagrate eliminating the need for other constituents in the composition. Novel methods for the synthesis of nonmetal derivative coordination complexes, guanidine and hydrazine for example, are also presented.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic gas generant composition including a high oxygen balance fuel that is the resulting reaction product of an aminoguanidine or polyaminoguanidine salt and nitric acid, namely, aminoguanidine dinitrate, diaminoguanidine dinitrate, and triaminoguanidine dinitrate. Specifically, aminoguanidine dinitrate, diaminoguanidine dinitrate, and triaminoguanidine dinitrate can be used as monopropellants or in combination with oxidizers and additives as a solid bipropellant composition. In each instance, the high oxygen balance fuel(s) of the present invention provide(s) both high gas output and low production of solid combustion products. Specifically, the high oxygen balance fuel(s) may be incorporated into gas generators, gun propellants, inflation and expulsion devices, flotation devices, pyrotechnics, fire suppression devices and smokeless, reduced smoke and metallized rocket propellants.

Abstract: A nonazide gas generant that may be used in an inflation device, such as a vehicle passenger restraint system, comprising a hydrated or anhydrous mixture of nonazide fuel, an oxidizer and a quantity of copper phthalocyanine, otherwise known as Monarch Blue and/or azodicarbonamidine dinitrate. Specifically, the nonazide gas generant composition of the present invention may include phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN), high bulk density nitroguanidine (HBNQ), one or more nonazide fuels, a quantity of copper phthalocyanine and/or azodicarbonamidine dinitrate and optionally a binder. The gas generant composition of the present invention is capable of self-sustained burning at low or ambient temperatures and pressures, important for use in dual stage "smart" inflator automotive passenger restraint systems, while exhibiting a relatively high gas volume to solid particulate ratio upon combustion at acceptable flame temperatures.

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: Multicomponent pyrotechnic gas generating compositions are provided which comprise a single or multiple nonazide fuel. The single and multiple fuels are selected from guanidine, azole, and other high nitrogen aliphatic, aromatic, and/or heterocyclic compounds. The fuels are blended with single and multiple oxidizers. Other materials are added to the compositions for processing, aiding ignition, enhancing ballistics, reducing particulates, and scavenging undesirable gaseous decomposition products. A significant amount of nontoxic gas is formed at acceptable flame temperatures when these compositions are combusted, which allow their use in automotive air bag safety systems.

Abstract: Castable and elastomeric explosive compositions containing 82-85% HMX in ypropylene-polyethylene type polyurethane binder systems comprising at least 20% 3-5 .mu.HMX and an endothermically pyrolyzable binder.

Abstract: A solid non-azide composition for generating non-toxic nitrogen gas intended for use in the deployment of inflatable safety crash bags for driver and passenger protection in vehicles consists essentially of a non-hydrogen containing tetrazole compound and a non-oxygen containing oxidizer, examples of the tetrazole being di-alkali metal or mono-alkaline earth metal salts of 5,5'-bitetrazole, and examples of the oxidizer being sulfur, molybdenum disulfide, chromium trichloride and iron trifluoride.