Abstract: A method to substantially desensitize a metastable intermolecular composite material to electrostatic discharge and friction comprising mixing the composite material with an organic diluent and removing enough organic diluent from the mixture to form a mixture with a substantially putty-like consistency, as well as a concomitant method of recovering the metastable intermolecular composite material.

Abstract: A method is provided for making blast explosive molding powder. According to an aspect of the invention, energetic solids and a metal powder are suspended in a bulk phase fluid. Lacquer is added to an energetic solids and metal powder suspension to achieve a super-saturated solution. Final granulation of the super-saturated solution is optimized to form a fluidized metallized energetic molding powder. The fluidized metallized energetic molding powder is distilled to remove an organic solvent component of the lacquer, which is reclaimed through distillation. The bulk phase fluid is decanted to recover a wet metallized energetic molding powder. The bulk phase fluid is reclaimed through distillation. The wet metallized energetic molding powder is dried to form a dry metallized energetic molding powder. This method is especially useful in making insensitive enhanced blast explosive molding powders with high metal powder content.

Abstract: A method for supplying a pyrotechnic material slurry to a container, includes, taking out a pyrotechnic material slurry, stored inside a storage container, from the bottom portion of the storage container or a vicinity thereof, sealing the exposed surface of the pyrotechnic material slurry with a sealing material, and maintaining the sealed state of the pyrotechnic material slurry in the process of supplying the pyrotechnic material slurry to the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of novel ammonium dinitroamide (ADN) crystals and to said novel ADN crystals. Said novel crystals have an original morphology factor, namely a low shape factor. They are obtained in the presence of at least one crystal habit modifier.

Abstract: Explosives containing aqueous oxidizer solution, fuel, and a nanoparticle-stabilized foam sensitizer. The explosives may also further contain an emulsifier.

Abstract: A polyvinyl(tetrazole) is formed by a water-based method. A gas generating composition 12 containing the polyvinyl(tetrazole) is contained within an exemplary gas generator 10. An article or gas generating system 200 incorporates the polyvinyl(tetrazole) therein. A vehicle occupant protection system 180 incorporates the gas generating system 200. An article or substrate 300 containing a coating 302 formed from the product of the water-based method is also described.

Abstract: A method for manufacture and delivery of an emulsion explosive having a discontinuous oxidizer solution phase, a continuous fuel phase, and an emulsifier, the method comprising: (a) providing an emulsion manufacturing system; (b) conveying an oxidizer solution phase to the emulsion manufacturing system at a pre-determined pressure; (c) conveying a fuel phase to the emulsion manufacturing system at a pre-determined pressure; (d) forming an emulsion from the oxidizer solution and the fuel phases using only a portion of the pre-determined pressures so as to provide a usable residual pressure after the formation of the emulsion; and (e) utilizing the residual pressure to non-mechanically deliver the emulsion to a pre-determined location.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of composite thermite particles, and thermite particles and consolidated objects formed from a plurality of pressed composite particles. The process includes providing one or more metal oxides and one or more complementary metals capable of reducing the metal oxide, and milling the metal oxide and the metal at a temperature below ?50° C., such as cryomilling, to form a convoluted lamellar structure. The average layer thickness is generally between 10 nm and 1 ?m. The molar proportions of the metal oxide and metal are generally within 30% of being stoichiometric for a thermite reaction.

Abstract: A blasting agent comprised of an ammonium nitrate component and an organic carbonaceous fuel component. The ammonium nitrate component includes ammonium nitrate crystals having a particle size of from about 1 to about 500 microns and further includes one or more crystal habit modifiers.

Abstract: A method of transporting a liquid product down a vertical conduit having an inlet provided at the top of the conduit and an outlet provided at the bottom of the conduit, which method comprises feeding the liquid product into the inlet of the conduit and contacting the liquid product with means for dissipating potential energy released by the liquid product as it is transported down the conduit so that turbulence in the liquid product at the outlet of the conduit is reduced.

Abstract: A pressable explosive composition is provided. The composition includes at least 40 weight percent of substantially uncoated fuel particles, a nitramine mechanically blended with the substantially uncoated fuel particles, and a binder coating the nitramine. The binder constitutes about 1 to about 6 weight percent of the pressable explosive composition. Also provided are a pressed thermobaric explosive, weapons containing the pressed thermobaric explosive, and methods for making the composition and thermobaric explosive.

Abstract: A method of making pelletized nitrocellulose (PNC) includes preparing a lacquer, the lacquer comprising nitrocellulose (NC), ethyl acetate and ethyl centralite, the NC having a nitrogen content of at least about 12.2%; mixing the lacquer with an antisolvent to thereby emulsify the lacquer and form PNC; drowning the PNC with the antisolvent; and separating the antisolvent and ethyl acetate from the PNC.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method that can be used to scientifically fabricate pseudoscents of explosives, which, in their entirety, are comprised of non-energetic materials. It also discloses specific compositions of such pseudoscents, which can be used as energetically-inert-but-odoriferously-identical simulants for a range of explosives and are comprised of non-energetic components of the scent signature of an explosive and/or energetic scent components of the same headspace scent signature that have been rendered non-energetic. The scents achievable by the groups of formulations generated by this method encompass the different types of military and commercial explosives, and the components within the pseudoscents can be tuned to generate simulants representative of different qualities and quantities of such explosives.

Abstract: A process for mitigating shear induced particle migration of highly filled explosive suspensions during injection loading of the explosive suspension into a confined container that includes monitoring particle migration within the highly filled explosive suspension and correcting flow parameters effective to reduce the particle migration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel component for an explosive, in which case the fuel component contains a volume-expanded molecularly dispersed hydrocarbon, and a method for its production. Furthermore, the invention relates to an explosive formed of the fuel component and an oxidizer, an explosive body filled with the explosive as well as an explosion method.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing metastable nanoenergetic composites (MNC) and for wet loading those MNCs into percussion primer cups. The method involves dispersing nanosize reactants in an inert liquid or, alternatively, making a nanosize reactant surface modification for improvement of reactant's chemical inertness towards water, followed by application of additives supporting a solid reactant particle dispersion in water or water solution prior to mixing. After mixing of the reactants, one maintains the presence of liquid water together within an energetic material in order to enhance safety during pre-loading of the primer mixture into the primer cups and during the final drying.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pyrotechnic time delay composition includes admixing together a solid oxidizer, a solid fuel and water to form an aqueous slurry. The slurry is transformed into droplets. The droplets are gas-dried to form particles comprising the oxidizer and the fuel, with the particles thus constituting a pyrotechnic delay composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a gas generating agent capable of constantly producing a gas generating agent with a high quality. The process for producing a gas generating agent comprises the first step of feeding nitroguanidine, a basic copper nitrate and guar gum and stirring and mixing them in the presence of moisture, the second step of extrusion-molding and cutting the mixture, and the third step of drying it.

Abstract: High explosives suitable for filling very small volume loading holes in micro-electric initiators for micro-electro-mechanical mechanisms, used as safe and arm devices, are prepared from slurries of crystalline energetic materials including organic liquid and applied using various methods. These methods include swipe loading, pressure loading and syringe loading. The organic liquid serves as a volatile mobile phase in the slurry so as to partially dissolve the energetic material so that, upon evaporation of the mobile phase, the energetic material precipitates and adheres to the loading hole.

Abstract: A process for producing a pyrotechnic delay composition includes admixing an oxidizer, a fuel, a surfactant and a liquid, to form a paste or slurry. The paste or slurry is dried to remove the liquid and to obtain a solid product which, if necessary, is rendered into particulate form. Optionally, the solid particulate product is classified to obtain a pyrotechnic delay composition in particulate form.

Abstract: An energetic composite material is provided that includes inorganic particles and self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed on the inorganic particles. The SAMs include multifunctional linking molecules and optionally non-linking molecules. The multifunctional linking molecules have linking functional groups respectively chemically bonding to a corresponding pair of the inorganic particles so that the multifunctional linking molecules interconnect the inorganic particles to one another to form a network of inorganic particles. The optional non-linking molecules include a non-linking functional group chemically bonded to a corresponding one of the inorganic particles. Preferably, the multifunctional linking molecules and/or the optional non-linking molecules are fluorinated. Also preferably, bare aluminum particles are selected as the inorganic particles and are passivated with the SAMs.

Abstract: Methods for the separation of targeted components from gun propellant formulations. In particular, the methods separate targeted components in a usable/useful form. Preferred methods are directed to the separation of nitrocellulose, nitroguanidine and/or nitroglycerine from a formulation containing one or more of these components.

Abstract: A method of making a thin film explosive detonator includes forming a substrate layer; depositing a metal layer in situ on the substrate layer; and reacting the metal layer to form a primary explosive layer. The method and apparatus formed thereby integrates fabrication of a micro-detonator in a monolithic MEMS structure using “in-situ” production of the explosive material within the apparatus, in sizes with linear dimensions below about 1 mm. The method is applicable to high-volume low-cost manufacturing of MEMS safety-and-arming devices. The apparatus can be initiated either electrically or mechanically at either a single point or multiple points, using energies of less than about 1 mJ.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dry process for the manufacture of pyrotechnic objects from at least one reducing charge selected from guanidine derivatives, metal hydrides, alkali metal hydrides and alkaline earth metal hydrides, and at least one oxidizing charge selected from alkali metal nitrates, alkaline earth metal nitrates and basic metal nitrates, at least one of said reducing and oxidizing charges having the property of flowing under stress. Said process makes it possible to obtain pellets and small tablets directly by compaction/compression, to obtain granules, usable as such, by compaction and then granulation, and to obtain compressed objects by compaction, granulation and then compression. The high-performance pyrotechnic objects obtained constitute a further subject of the invention.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic charge for producing IR radiation is proposed, in which a deuterated compound is contained as fuel and/or as oxidizing agent or as fuel, as oxidizing agent and/or as binder. The use of such a pyrotechnic charge leads to a greater selective radiant emission in the ?-band and at the same time to a reduced selective radiant emission in the ?-band, so that the signature of a decoy is adapted to that of an aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for producing perforated propellant in the geometric form of block, stick, slab, cylindrical or tubular propellant (2) with high charge density and high progressivity. The propellant as claimed in the present invention is characterised by a large number of perforations, densely and evenly distributed over the entire propellant segments, made by perforation members (6) that are pressed down into the propellant. The perforations are thereby made in a plurality of steps with a predetermined step feed between each perforation operation. The device as claimed in the present invention also comprises a mobile pin die (5) away from but facing the feed path (1) for the propellant (2), and containing at least on one row of pins for perforation of the propellant whereby each such row of pins comprises the number of pins (6) required to cover the complete width of the propellant segment across its direction of advance.

Abstract: There is provided a tubular molded article of a gas generating agent consisting of a non-azide-based composition. Both ends of the molded article are squashed. A gas-generating-agent producing process is to obtain a gas generating agent which is molded into the form of a tube both ends of which are squashed in such a way that the tubular molded article of the gas generating agent being in a wetted state is passed through a gap between a pair of molding gears that are rotatable so that each convex tooth of one of the molding gears can face that of the other molding gear, thereafter the molded article is squashed with the convex teeth at predetermined intervals, thereafter the molded article is cut off at the squashed concave parts in such a way as to be folded, and the resultant cut pieces are dried.

Abstract: The method for producing a propellant powder (TLP) with a layered grain structure starts with a green powder, which is impregnated in a watery emulsion with an energetic plasticizer and a polymeric deterrent. Propellant powders (TLP) can be produced in industrial quantities by avoiding the dangerous direct introduction of a blasting oil. The propellant powders (TLP) produced in this way have similar characteristics and a similar structure as the known propellant powders (TLP).

Abstract: A compound including at least one copper II complex of a material selected from the group of imidazole and imidazole derivatives is provided for use in a gas generant composition. An associated burn rate enhanced gas generant composition, in addition to such copper complex-containing compound, also includes a nitrogen-containing non-azide fuel. Additionally provided are methods for improving the combustion performance of a non-azide gas generant composition in at least one aspect selected from the group consisting of ignitability, burn rate and burn rate pressure sensitivity, through the addition of such copper complex-containing compound to the non-azide gas generant composition.

Abstract: A thermobaric self-sustaining reactive composition, method and device for defeating chemical or biological agents includes a first material including at least one of a Group IV or Group V metal; a second material reactive with the first material in an exothermic intermetallic reaction to generate heat sufficient to vaporize a third material; and the third material that when vaporized combusts with air producing an elevated temperature sufficient to destroy the chemical and biological agents. The device includes a container having a center core explosive driver with the self-sustaining reactive composition surrounding the center core explosive driver.

Abstract: Methods for making a pressed monolithic gas generant for an inflatable restraint device (for example, an airbag system for a vehicle) are provided. The methods include admixing a gas generant material with a ballistic performance modifier to form a mixture. The mixture is granulated. Then, a pressed monolithic gas generant grain is formed by applying pressure to the granulated mixture, where the grain has an actual density of at least about 95% of the maximum theoretical density. The pressure may be applied in a controlled manner to both side of the gas generant material in a die cavity, and removing formed grain from die cavity while maintaining some pressure to both sides of the grain, thereby further improving various pyrotechnic properties.

Abstract: Nitramines are one of the more expensive and often the more plentiful ingredients found in energetic materials, such as solid rocket motor propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics. By treating aluminized energetic material with an aqueous nitric acid solution containing not more than 55% by weight aqueous nitric acid at a weight ratio of aqueous nitric acid to energetic material of about 4:1 to about 6:1, most constituents of conventional aluminized energetic materials are digested into solution, with the exception of nitramines, which remain substantially insoluble in the aqueous nitric acid and can be recovered without requiring recrystallization of the nitramines. A mineral acid other than nitric acid, preferably hydrochloric acid, may be added to increase the rate of aluminum digestion. Treatment of the energetic material can be performed without volatile organic solvents, thus obviating ecological, cost, and safety concerns raised by the use of volatile organic solvents.

Abstract: Novel catalysts capable of rendering both polar and non-polar organic fuels hypergolic with rocket-grade hydrogen peroxide are disclosed. These catalysts are complexes formed by reacting alkyl-substituted diamines or triamines, with metal salts of an aliphatic carboxylic acid or metal 1,3 dione chelates. In addition, the use of various acetylenic compounds as stability enhancing additives and/or promoters is described.

Abstract: A high energy propellant, comprising an oxetane thermoplastic elastomer energetic binder admixed with a high energy explosive filler. The oxetane thermoplastic elastomer energetic binder preferably comprises from about five percent to about thirty percent by weight and the high energy explosive filler comprises from about seventy percent to about ninety-five percent by weight of the composition. A preferred propellant further includes an explosive plasticizer, preferably in an amount of about four percent to about seven percent of the plasticizer by weight of the propellant. The preferred filler is selected from the group consisting of CL-20, TNAZ, RDX and mixtures thereof. The preferred plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of TNAZ, BTTN, TMETN, TEGDN, BDNPA/F, methyl NENA, ethyl NENA and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method of preparing energetic metal-oxide-based energetic materials using sol-gel chemistry has been invented. The wet chemical sol-gel processing provides an improvement in both safety and performance. Essentially, a metal-oxide oxidizer skeletal structure is prepared from hydrolyzable metals (metal salts or metal alkoxides) with fuel added to the sol prior to gelation or synthesized within the porosity metal-oxide gel matrix. With metal salt precursors a proton scavenger is used to destabilize the sol and induce gelation. With metal alkoxide precursors standard well-known sol-gel hydrolysis and condensation reactions are used. Drying is done by standard sol-gel practices, either by a slow evaporation of the liquid residing within the pores to produce a high density solid nanocomposite, or by supercritical extraction to produce a lower density, high porous nanocomposite.

Abstract: An explosive composition comprises a porous fuel and an oxidizer. The porous fuel is a solid with a structure size measuring between about 2 nm and 1000 nm and has a porosity that lies between 10% and 98%. The oxidizer is solid or liquid at room temperature and is incorporated into the pores of the porous fuel. The oxidizer is selected, in an amount of at least 50% by weight relative to a total quantity of the oxidizer, from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl ammonium nitrate, organic nitro compounds or nitrates, alkali metal nitrates or earth alkali metal nitrates as well as metal nitrites, metal chlorates, metal perchlorates, metal bromates, metal iodates, metal oxides, metal peroxides, ammonium perchlorate, ammonium nitrate and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reducing the energy of an emulsion blasting agent as it is being loaded into a borehole and to an improved method of perimeter blasting wherein an energy reducing agent is added to and mixed uniformly throughout an emulsion blasting agent as it is being pumped or conveyed into a perimeter borehole to reduce the energy of the blasting agent to a desired level. In addition, by adding varying amount of gassing agents, the density and sensitivity of the emulsion blasting agent also can be controlled.

Abstract: A multi-component liquid explosive composition and method of mixing thereof. The steps include (a) providing a powder consisting of aluminum preferably having an average particle size of 5 to 50 microns and a surface area of 0.5 to 2 square meters per cubic centimeter containing 0.1 to 5% stearic acid by weight; (b) providing a liquid consisting of nitromethane; and (c) mixing said aluminum powder with the nitromethane to form a liquid explosive formulation detonable at a wide range of temperatures and diameters with a standard commercial number 8 blasting cap.

Abstract: An explosive composition is provided that is comprised of a Heavy ANFO and grain hulls. In one embodiment, the grain hulls are comprised of rice hulls. The grain hulls serve both as an inert bulking additive that reduces the density of the composition and as a sensitizer that reduces the energy needed to reliably detonate the composition. Also provided is a method for manufacturing an explosive composition comprised of Heavy ANFO and grain hulls, such as rice hulls. Additionally, a method of using an explosive comprised of ANFO and grain hulls in a mining operation is disclosed.

Abstract: The manufacture is carried out in a continuous manner simultaneous to the filling of the shot holes, in a mixer, preferably a rotating mixer, wherein a water-based, non-explosive or low sensitivity matrix, an air bubble stabilizing agent, and optionally, an oxidant in granular form and a combustible material are mixed together. The nature of the water-based matrix, together with the use of an air bubble stabilizing agent, allows the incorporation of air during the mixing, regulating the density of the final product and acting on the variables of the process. On coming out of the mixer, the explosive is totally sensitized and has reached its final density, allowing for quality control before filling the shot hole. The process may be carried out on the explosives pumping truck, with compartments for the transportation of a water-based matrix, an oxidant in granular form, a combustible material and a gas bubble stabilizing agent.

Abstract: An emulsion explosive composition is especially suited to being pneumatically loaded into a blasthole. The emulsion explosive composition includes a base emulsion phase which has a continuous fuel phase and a discontinuous oxidiser phase, wherein the viscosity of the base emulsion phase is less than 2000 cP (Brookfleld viscosity #4 spindle at 50 rpm) at 25°C.

Abstract: A process for casting propellant paste into a mould to manufacture a block of solid propellant includes first mixing two groups of components briefly at low pressure, mixing the two groups of components at high pressure, and casting the mixture in a mould. The first group of components represents about 80% to about 99% of the finished product and essentially comprises a liquid prepolymer, at least one pulverulent solid charge and some of the various additives of the propellant paste. The second group of components represents about 20% to about 1% of the finished product and comprises the crosslinking agent and the rest of the additives.

Abstract: A process for producing a mixture of particulates using compressed gas and sonication. The process is particularly useful to mix reactive particulates, such as thermites.

Abstract: In the military field of explosive munitions, a semi-continuous process produces a composite explosive charge composing a charged solid polyurethane matrix, the charge of which is pulverulent and comprise at least one nitro-organic explosive, by introduction into a mould of a pastry explosive composition and then thermal crosslinking of this composition. The composition is obtained by mixing constituents essentially comprising a polyol prepolymer, a plasticizer, a polyisocyanate monomer and a pulverulent solid charge comprising at least one nitro-organic explosive. This simple and economic process makes it possible to dispense, without disadvantage, with the pot life/curing time of the composition compromise.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an age-stabilized and/or strengthened ammonium nitrate propellant composition wherein the strengthening agent is selected from the group consisting of azodicarbonamide, dicyandiamide, oxamide and mixtures thereof and wherein the age-stabilizing agent is a molecular sieve having a pore size of 13 angstroms or less.

Abstract: A process for preparing free-flowing, phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate comprises the following steps. A solution of ammonium nitrate (12), a surfactant (13), a phase stabilizer (26), and an inert liquid (20) is prepared. The solution is atomized to form a stream of droplets. The droplets are freeze-dried to form agglomerates (54) of crystals of phase stabilized ammonium nitrate. The crystals of phase stabilized ammonium nitrate in the agglomerates are coated with a film comprising the surfactant. The agglomerates are disintegrated into separated free-flowing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate in the agglomerates crystals coated with a film comprising the surfactant.

Abstract: A propellant composition including a fuel, an oxidizer, and a latex binder and method of making, wherein the method of making eliminates the need for the large amounts of volatile, flammable solvents that are typically associated with the traditional process.

Abstract: A process for producing compacted free-flowing nitrocellulose based lacquer raw materials is described. The process involves pressing a nitrocellulose based lacquer feed material, which is moistened with alcohol or water, through the holes of a die. The pressing step may be performed by means of at least one circulating breaker. The process optionally comprises shearing off the compacted lacquer raw material into pieces of selected length, below the die. The compacted nitrocellulose based lacquer raw materials prepared by the process of the present invention are free flowing and have a moisture content of at least 25%.

Abstract: Sol-gel chemistry is used for the preparation of energetic materials (explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics) with improved homogeneity, and/or which can be cast to near-net shape, and/or made into precision molding powders. The sol-gel method is a synthetic chemical process where reactive monomers are mixed into a solution, polymerization occurs leading to a highly cross-linked three dimensional solid network resulting in a gel. The energetic materials can be incorporated during the formation of the solution or during the gel stage of the process. The composition, pore, and primary particle sizes, gel time, surface areas, and density may be tailored and controlled by the solution chemistry. The gel is then dried using supercritical extraction to produce a highly porous low density aerogel or by controlled slow evaporation to produce a xerogel. Applying stress during the extraction phase can result in high density materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of reducing density in an ammonium nitrate product. The method comprises providing a gas generating agent in the form of a water-insoluble solid compound capable of generating gas by chemical reaction and providing an ammonium nitrate product. The water-insoluble solid gas generating agent is introduction into the ammonium nitrate product under conditions causing gas generation by the gas generating agent in the ammonium nitrate product. The ammonium nitrate product is particulated to form a particulated prilled ammonium nitrate product with reduced density. The invention also relates to a particulated ammonium nitrate product produced by this method and to the use of a gas generating agent in the form of a water-insoluble solid compound reduce density in a particulate ammonium nitrate product.