Abstract: The invention generally relates to an energetic composition including adjacent layers of an explosive and a combustible fuel, and making of the energetic composition. Specifically, making the energetic composition includes vapor deposition of an explosive layer on a combustible fuel surface; alternatively, a combustible fuel layer may be chemically or physically deposited on an explosive surface to make the energetic composition.

Abstract: Applicants have discovered new composite materials and have developed a variety of new ways of making reactive composite materials (RCMs) and methods of controlling the properties and characteristics of the materials that are pertinent to numerous new or improved applications. This patent application is directed to new and improved ways of making reactive composite materials using mechanical deformation and making such materials with controlled, predictable characteristics. This application is also directed toward useful applications of the resulting materials. In accordance with the invention, RCMs are fabricated by a series of mechanical deformation steps. In the first deformation step, an assembly of reactive layers and/or particles is plastically deformed to reduce its cross sectional area by one-half or more. This severe initial deformation substantially eliminates the tendency of deformed layers to delaminate and eliminates the necessity of using specially cleaned metal layers.

Abstract: A multi-component three dimensional energetic device and the method of maacturing it. The method includes the steps of forming a quantity of an energetic material into a plurality of sheets having relatively no appreciable thickness, and then cutting at least one required shape from the surface of a portion of each of the plurality of sheets to define an opening for at least one inlay of a different material. An inlay of the different material is placed in the openings to form a plurality of stackable shapes that are then bonded together to form the multi-component three dimensional energetic device. The preferred embodiment includes forming the inlay from an energetic material that is different from the sheet energetic material. Optionally a bonding agent may be admixed with at least one of the materials to facilitate bonding to form the device. The bonding agent may or may not be an energetic material, as desired.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a body of material which is ignitable to generate a gas for inflating an air bag. The body of material comprises at least two layers of ignitable gas generating material which are pressed together. One of the layers comprises a nitrogen generating composition which is easily ignited and burns rapidly. The other of the layers comprises a nitrogen generating composition which is less easily ignited and burns less rapidly than the one layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a primer/detonator acceptable for use in an automobile air bag system.

Abstract: A mixture of about from 60 to 40 percent amorphous boron and about from 94 to 60 percent ferric oxide, useful as an ignition composition for electrically actuated blasting caps and squibs, has outstanding thermal stability, i.e., up to about 500.degree. C. making it especially suitable for use in blasting caps in oil wells that are deep and hot, e.g., in the liquid-disabled cap described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 469,954. Bridgewire-sensitive compositions containing about from 10 to 20 percent boron are preferred. The compositions can be self-grained, or they may be grained preferably with a water-soluble polymeric binder.

Abstract: Detonators, such as electrical, mechanical and flame-sensitive detonators, and the production thereof, for utilization at low and high temperatures through the use of explosives with high temperature-resistant, thermoplastic materials as binder mediums. The explosive is present as a ruboff-resistant shaped member in cylindrical form or within a cup, while the primary igniting medium in the detonator housing is compressed alone or through the shaped member.

Abstract: A round of ammunition is formed by molding multiple layers of propellant about the sides and rear of a projectile providing an inner layer of conventional propellant enclosed within an outer layer composed of a mixture of a polynitroaromatic material, such as diaminotrinitrobenzene (DATB), as the primary oxidizer, and a phosphorus-containing hydroxy-terminated polyether binder.

Abstract: A method for mass producing and loading explosive charges in detonators, ds, relays, primers, etc., utilizing the explosive charges each in sheet form. Sheets corresponding to the various increments, each containing the finely divided high explosive and binder therefor, are superposed in the proper order preferably on a sheet of closing disc material, and the resulting structure of layered sheets is cored to produce the explosive train. The coring can be accomplished with a battery of cutters so that large numbers of explosive trains can be cut to size simultaneously. The explosive train cores thus obtained can be pushed out of the cutters into cups, which are then crimped and sealed.