Abstract: The invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises a biaxially oriented, melt-processed image receptive film comprising a) an immiscible blend of at least one semicrystalline polymer component and at least one ink absorptive polymer component and b) at least one inorganic filler. The image receptor medium may further comprise one or more additional layers such as support or adhesive layers.

Abstract: Pyrotechnic compositions which include a fuel material of cobalt III nitrate complex with ammonia or water ligands, a burn rate catalyst of copper bis ethylenediamine dinitrate, and an oxidizer of basic copper nitrate are provided to result in relatively high gas outputs and burn rates. Also provided are corresponding or associated gas generating devices and inflatable vehicle occupant safety restraint systems.

Abstract: An igniter composition for a gas generant and a related method of igniting a gas generant are provided in which, in addition to a boron fuel component and an oxidizer component, the igniter composition additionally includes a gas-forming source of a condensable metal effective for transferring heat to the gas generant.

Abstract: An acoustic stringed instrument body includes a soundboard, a bottom surface and a side surface, wherein the soundboard includes a relief cut, wherein the relief cut is dimensioned to create a more flexible coupling between the soundboard and the sidewall, wherein the relief cut improves the tone of the instrument by allowing the soundboard to vibrate more freely.

Abstract: A receptor medium with an oriented film having at least one microfibrillated surface is described. The receptor medium can receive jettable materials, which include inks, adhesives, particulate dispersions, electrically, thermally or magnetically modifiable materials, biological fluids, chemical reagents and combinations thereof. The microfibrillated surface provides good ink receptive properties particularly for solvent based inks.

Abstract: Gas generant grains, such as tablets, granules or particulates, are coated with a dispersion of oxidizer particulates, metal fuel particulates, a fluoropolymer binder with which at least a portion of the metal fuel is reactive, and a solvent for the fluoropolymer.

Abstract: An acoustic stringed instrument body includes a soundboard, a bottom surface and a side surface, wherein the soundboard includes a relief cut, wherein the relief cut is dimensioned to create a more flexible coupling between the soundboard and the sidewall, wherein the relief cut improves the tone of the instrument by allowing the soundboard to vibrate more freely.

Abstract: A binder matrix suitable for use in a gas generant composition, a gas generant composition including the binder matrix, and a related method of igniting such a gas generant composition are provided. The binder matrix includes a non-energetic binder material and dimethyl malonate non-energetic plasticizer and has a softening temperature above at least about 125° C. A gas generant composition including the binder matrix includes a non-energetic binder material such as cellulose acetate, dimethyl malonate non-energetic plasticizer, a fuel such as a nitramine fuel such as RDX, HMX or a combination thereof, and a stabilizer such as N-methyl-p-nitroaniline.

Abstract: Gas generating compositions containing or including a sufficient quantity of a non-nitrate containing ammonia source whereby, upon reaction of the gas generating composition, NOx products are present in the product gas in a reduced amount as compared to reaction product gas resulting from reaction of the same composition without said quantity of non-nitrate containing ammonia source. Also disclosed are associated methods of reducing NOx products present in an effluent of a gas generating composition that upon combustion forms gas useful for inflating a vehicle occupant safety restraint device.

Abstract: The invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises a biaxially oriented, melt-processed image receptive film comprising a) an immiscible blend of at least one semicrystalline polymer component and at least one ink absorptive polymer component and b) at least one inorganic filler. The image receptor medium may further comprise one or more additional layers such as support or adhesive layers.

Abstract: Inflator device assemblies containing an expandable fluid effective to provide a gaseous inflation medium also advantageously employ or incorporate a pyrotechnic material such as to augment or enhance at least one fill characteristic of the gaseous inflation medium. The pyrotechnic material is provided on a selected non-gas generant surface within the inflator device. Suitable pyrotechnic compositions may include a binder additive effective to adhere the pyrotechnic composition to a surface within the inflator device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed an oriented, foamed article having an ink-receptive surface, and a method of making the article. The invention provides a printable substrate comprising at least one high melt-strength, oriented polypropylene foam layer having an ink-receptive surface. The high melt-strength polypropylene having a melt strength of of 25 to 60 cN at 190° C. The ink-receptive surface may comprise and oxidizing treatment, such as corona or flame-treatment of the foam surface, or may comprise an ink-receptive coating, such as a primer coating, on the foam surface.

Abstract: An igniter composition such as for a gas generant material used in pressure activated restraint system devices such as micro-gas generator applications such as seat belt pretensioners is provided. The igniter composition includes a fuel component containing at least about 3 composition weight percent and less than 15 composition weight percent of boron and an oxidizer component, wherein the fuel component and the oxidizer component are present in stoichiometrically balanced amounts. Associated methods of gas generation are also provided.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions and methods of gas generation are provided whereby desired gas generation can be realized without requiring the presence and use a charge or coating of an associated igniter composition.

Abstract: Incorporating organophilic clay into hot melt adhesive compositions, particularly those comprising semi-crystalline, thermoplastic polymers, greatly improves the adhesive properties in many respects. Some of these improvements are particularly beneficial to the specific use of hot melt adhesives filled with electrically conductive particles for use as electrically conductive adhesives.

Abstract: Inflator device assemblies containing an expandable fluid effective to provide a gaseous inflation medium also advantageously employ or incorporate a pyrotechnic material such as to augment or enhance at least one fill characteristic of the gaseous inflation medium. The pyrotechnic material is provided on a selected non-gas generant surface within the inflator device. Suitable pyrotechnic compositions may include a binder additive effective to adhere the pyrotechnic composition to a surface within the inflator device.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions and methods of gas generation are provided whereby desired gas generation can be realized without requiring the presence and use a charge or coating of an associated igniter composition.

Abstract: A method of making a gas generant formulation which contains a transition metal diammine dinitrate is provided wherein a transition metal ammine carbonate is reacted with nitric acid in the presence of water to form a corresponding reaction mixture. A spray dryable precursor to the gas generant formulation is formed including at least a gas generating fuel and a sufficient quantity of water to render the precursor spray dryable. The precursor is subsequently spray dried to form a gas generant powder. The method may also include a relatively mild heat treatment of the dried material, either as a part of the spray drying or subsequent to such spray drying. A phase stabilized ammonium nitrate and a corresponding method of making the same wherein ammonium nitrate is stabilized through the presence of a stabilizing metal diammine dinitrate are also provided.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions and methods of processing are provided which produce or result in a relatively high burning rate and low burning rate pressure exponent, while also desirably providing a high gas output, as compared to normal or typical gas generant formulations such as used in association with vehicle occupant restraint airbag cushions.

Abstract: A phase stabilized ammonium nitrate and a method of making the same wherein ammonium nitrate is stabilized through the presence of a stabilizing metal diammine dinitrate without requiring or necessitating the isolation of explosive metal tetrammine nitrate complexes.