Abstract: A double base propellant modifier uses a combination of a lead component, a tin component and a copper component in physical contact to effect super-rate burning of double base propellants with defined plateau and mesa burning rate characteristics.

Abstract: A double base propellant modifier uses a lead-tin component with a defined amount of lead and a copper component with a defined surface area to effect super-rate burning of double base propellants with defined plateau and mesa burning rate characteristics.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of foamed celluloid molded products, involving three steps for the manufacture of higher density (0.7 to 1.25 gm/cc) foamed celluloid products or simple geometry lower density (0.2 to 0.7 gm/cc) foamed celluloid products, and four steps for the manufacture of lower density foamed celluloid products of any geometry. The three step process involving: (1) providing small, uniform, pieces of celluloid; (2) presoaking the pieces in a physical blowing agent (PBA) under pressure; and (3) foaming at raised temperature a controlled quantity of the presoaked pieces in a mold—to obtain the desired shape and density. For a lower density foamed celluloid product, of any moldable geometry, the steps are to: (1) small pieces of celluloid, that (2) have been presoaked in a PBA, are (3) pre-expanded to an intermediate density, and then (4) foam the desired lower density foamed product in a mold at raised temperature.

Abstract: An economical, low residue, mortar increment propellant container manufactured of foamed celluloid, which is composed of 50 to 84% nitrocellulose, having a nitrogen content of from about 10.5 to about 13.5%, and about 15 to about 50% camphor. The burn rate of the foamed celluloid can be enhanced by the addition of energetic additives, such as energetic plasticizers.

Abstract: By using generally known chemically, physically, or a combination thereof, means to foam celluloid, a foamed celluloid material is invented with a density of less than about 1.25 gm/cm3, which material is relatively low cost, very fast burning, very low residue, easily moldable, and which material exhibits good mechanical strength, and provides a good water barrier. These characteristics make this foamed celluloid a preferred choice for military artillery propellant charge bags, military mortar and civilian fireworks increment charges, combustible cartridges, flare housings, igniter tubes, as well as, closure disks, combustible enclosures and components thereof, among other applications.

Abstract: A low temperature flameless aerosol producing fire extinguishing composition containing potassium nitrate and binding fuel is characterized by using cellulose-fibrous mass as a binding fuel, with potassium nitrate at 30-70% and fibrous cellulose mass making up the remainder. A production method for the composition is further provided.

Abstract: Ignition means for propellant powders include at least one oxidation means, at least one reduction means and at least one binder, and are free from primary explosives.

Abstract: A gun propellant formulation comprising: a nitrocellulose component comprising from about sixty-five percent (65.0%) to about ninety-five (95.0%) of the gun propellant by weight, having a nitrogen proportion of substantially twelve and six-tenths percent (12.6%) nitrogen; an energetic plasticizer component comprising from about 5.0 percent (5.0%) to about 35 percent (35.0%) of the gun propellant by weight, and comprising N-Butyl-2Nitratoethyl Nitramine (BuNena); a burning rate moderator and stabilizer component comprising from about one-half of one percent (0.5%) to about five percent (5.0%) of the gun propellant by weight, and comprising Sym-Diethyl Diphenyl Urea, N,N?-Diethyl Carbanilide (Ethyl Centralite, Centralite I); and a stabilizer component comprising about one-half of one percent (0.5%) to about five percent (5.0) of the gun propellant by weight, and comprising Acetyl triethyl citrate (ATEC).

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the production of casting powder with high ntirocellulose content, and casting multiple-base rocket propellant including nitroglycerin formulated from such casting powder.

Abstract: A precursor composition of a reactive material that comprises a metal material and an energetic material, such as at least one oxidizer or at least one class 1.1 explosive. The metal material defines a continuous phase at a processing temperature of the precursor composition and the energetic material is dispersed therein. The metal material may be a fusible metal alloy having a melting point ranging from approximately 46° C. to approximately 250° C. The fusible metal alloy may include at least one metal selected from the group consisting of bismuth, lead, tin, cadmium, indium, mercury, antimony, copper, gold, silver, and zinc. The reactive composition may have a density of greater than approximately 2 g/cm3. The reactive composition may also include a polymer/plasticizer system.

Abstract: A method for preparing a pyrotechnic composition which comprises preparing a composition in a gel form using nitrocellulose and a nitro compound other than nitrocellulose, adding an oxidizing agent, a combustible material and a color rendering agent to the composition, followed by mixing, forming the resultant mixture into a desired shape, and then drying; and a pyrotechnic composition obtainable by using the method. This method can be used for simplifying a production process while maintaining the effect of a star and a lance used in a pyrotechnic composition, particularly in a firework composition.

Abstract: A communication system comprises an input-output processor IOP (11) coupled to a plurality of network devices (10) and a protocol processor PP (12), both processors being coupled to a common memory (15). Memory access control means (16) resolves competition between the processors for memory access. Normally, if one of the two processors is accessing the memory, the memory control unit (16) allows that access to be completed before allowing the other processor to access the memory. But if data loss in a network device is imminent, the IOP, is granted a higher priority memory access, the memory access controller aborts (interrupts) any memory access by the PP, allowing the IOP to access the memory immediately.

Abstract: Explosive or propellant compositions containing at least one nitrocellulose contain an additive including at least one substituted tetrazine in amounts effective to increase the burning rate of the composition. A preferred additive is 3,6-dihydrazino-s-tetrazine.

Abstract: This rocket motor propellant includes a combustible double-base propellant and non-carbonized, non-graphitized polymeric fibers dispersed in the double-base propellant. The double-base propellant is formed from a composition comprising nitrocellulose and at least one nitrate ester. Representative polymeric fibers include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyesters, polyamides, polyacrylonitriles and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A low-smoke pyrotechnic composition comprising nitrocellulose; nitroguanidine; an oxidizing agent; and, at least one of a flame coloring agent and metal powder, and a method of processing the same is disclosed.

Abstract: An electrically actuatable igniter (24) comprises a pair of electrodes (40) and (42). A heating element (44) is electrically connected between the electrodes (40) and (42). An ignition material (48) is in contact with the heating element (44). The ignition material (48) includes an energetic composition. The energetic composition comprises, by weight of the energetic composition, about 60% to about 90% basic copper nitrate, up to about 20% supplemental oxidizer, about 5% to about 20% charcoal, and up to about 10% supplemental fuel.

Abstract: A low-smoke pyrotechnic composition comprising nitrocellulose; nitroguanidine; an oxidizing agent; and, at least one of a flame coloring agent and metal powder, and a method of processing the same is disclosed.

Abstract: An electrically actuatable igniter (24) comprises a pair of electrodes (40) and (42). A heating element (44) is electrically connected between the electrodes (40) and (42). An ignition material (48) is in contact with the heating element (44). The ignition material (48) includes an energetic composition. The energetic composition comprises, by weight of the energetic composition, about 60% to about 90% basic copper nitrate, up to about 20% supplemental oxidizer, about 5% to about 20% charcoal, and up to about 10% supplemental fuel.

Abstract: 2,2-dinitro-1,3-propanediol-diformate is a novel low sensitivity, energetic plasticizer that is useful in explosive and propellant compositions. 2,2-dinitro-1,3-propanediol-diformate can be made by reacting 2,2-dinitro-1,3-propane diol with acetic formic anhydride in the presence of pyridine and at least one solvent.

Abstract: An apparatus (2) for inflating an air bag (4) including a container (12) and a combustible material (20) disposed in the container. The combustible material (20) comprises a binder selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate butyrate and cellulose acetate propionate. The binder has a melting point in the range of about 230° C. to about 260° C. An igniter (32) ignites the combustible material (20) to generate combustion products. A conduit directs the combustion products towards the air bag (4).

Abstract: A pyrotechnical object is made by compressing a pyrotechnical mass, and introducing into the mass an ignition and combustion accelerator in the form of a propellant powder. The propellant powder could be mixed with the mass prior to compression. Alternatively, the propellant powder could be pressed into an ignition surface of the mass after the pressing. The propellant powder may comprise basic cellulose and/or nitro-cellulose.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a propellant composition made from a lacquer, the lacquer comprising: (a) from about 15 to about 70 wt % of an organic solvent; (b) from about 0.1 to about 2.5 wt % of a stabilizer; (c) optionally, from about 0% to about 40 wt % of an energetic plasticizer; (d) optionally, from about 0 to about 10 wt % of a nonenergetic plasticizer; (e) optionally, from about 0 to about 10 wt % water; (f) optionally, from about 0 to about 15 wt % of additional additives; and balance being nitrocellulose; all weight percents based on the total weight of the composition, and wherein the lacquer has a viscosity of less than 10 million centipoise when processed. The present invention is also directed to an efficient and safe method of making perforated propellant grains using the above lacquer composition, as well as propellant grains having ellipsoidal cross sections or outwardly extending ridges.

Abstract: A propellent charge powder for barrel-type weapons having a plasticizer on the basis of nitramine and nitrocellulose, nitramine and energetic and non-energetic plastic binders, or nitrocellulose or an explosive, and wherein the plasticizer is a mixture of at least two chemically different dinitro diaza compounds. The plasticizer facilitates the production and use of the propellent charge powder possessing a low temperature coefficient.

Abstract: A low sensitivity gun propellant is disclosed having improved impetus and ballistic potential comprising RDX particles combined with at least one matrix component and plasticizer components including nitroglycerin and amounts of methyl nitrato ethyl nitramine and ethyl nitrate ethyl nitramine.

Abstract: A family of Class 1.3 propellant compositions comprising nitrocellulose, at least one of a selected group of plasticizing nitrate esters, a thermal stabilizer, carbon and an energetic solid, and a method of making the family of propellant compositions is provided.

Abstract: Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane-containing compositions which comprise hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane, polynitropolyacetylhexaazaisowurtzitanes and one or more of oxaisowurtzitane compounds represented by the specified formulae. The explosive compositions which contain the hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane-containing compositions have improved handling safety by lowering their sensitivity without degrading combustibility and detonability.