Abstract: The reaction product of a nitro aromatic and a metal hydroxyl nitrate is presented. Gas generating compositions containing the reaction product are also presented. Gas generators and vehicle occupant protection systems containing the reaction product are also presented.

Abstract: A pyrophoric material comprises a pyrophoric metal coated onto a wire mesh substrate. Iron and nickel are the preferred metals and a steel wire mesh is suitable. A process for making the pyrophoric material involves spraying an alloy of iron and/or nickel with aluminium onto a mesh using a high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) process following by leaching out at least a proportion of the aluminium by treatment with an alkaline solution. The product has application as a supported catalyst or as either an ignition medium or as a flare material in military countermeasures in which applications it is capable of burning at a high temperature.

Abstract: Pyrotechnic priming charge (1) intended to be used preferably for starting up one or more ignition chains, comprising a coherent porous fuel structure (2) and at least one oxidizer (4). According to the invention, the primer also comprises a moisture inhibitor (5) applied to the surface of the primer with a view to increasing the safety of the primer and reducing the risk of unintentional ignition due to breakdown of the oxidizer under the influence of ambient moisture and temperature.

Abstract: A priming mixture is provided having a primary explosive and an oxidizer system containing bismuth oxide. The priming mixture generally is applicable to any application or device that employs ignition of a propellant or fuel, including, but not limited to, air bag gas generator systems, signaling devices, ejection seats, small or large arms ammunition primers, and the like.

Abstract: The invention provides a chlorine-containing pyrotechnic composition which comprises a binder, an oxidator, a pyrotechnic fuel, and a colorant comprising a metal salt of 5-aminotetrazole. The invention further relates to a firework article comprising such a pyrotechnic composition. In addition, the invention provides a method for preparing said colorant.

Abstract: Methods of making and resultant compositions thereof, which include copper-oxalyldihydrazide-based complexes, such as pyrotechnic compositions, gas generants, and ignition materials, which are useful, for example, in inflatable restraint systems. Synthesis of one or more copper-oxalyldihydrazide complexes with nitrate and/or hydroxide counter ions provides a composition that may auto-ignite at a low enough temperature to be based with thermally sensitive gas generants. The present copper-oxalyldihydrazide complexes may also be used in conjunction with various oxidizers to produce compositions with sufficient energy to auto-ignite practically any known pyrotechnic composition.

Abstract: A gas generant for an inflatable restraint device (for example, an airbag system for a vehicle) is a monolithic compressed solid that has a linear burn rate of greater than or equal to about 1.6 inches per second at a pressure of about 3,000 pounds per square inch. The gas generant can be in the form of an annular disk having a plurality of apertures. The gas generant may be substantially free of binder and may have a low initial surface area which progressively increases during burning. The gas generant provides a gas generation profile that improves restraint of vehicle occupants, including those occupants that are out-of-position. Additionally, the shaped gas generant decreases occupant exposure to toxic effluent combustion products and solid respirable particulates.

Abstract: A lead-free primer energetic composition including Cyanuric Triazide (60%), Tetracene (5%), Barium Nitrate (20%) and Antimony Trisulfide (15%) is produced. The lead-free primer energetic composition is used to construct a primary detonator including a transfer charge of Cyanuric Triazide, which produces a further initiation train that may subsequently detonate a secondary explosive, i.e., HDX, RDX, or a pyrotechnic device.

Abstract: Methods of making and resultant compositions thereof, which include copper-oxalyldihydrazide-based complexes, such as pyrotechnic compositions, gas generants, and ignition materials, which are useful, for example, in inflatable restraint systems. Synthesis of one or more copper-oxalyldihydrazide complexes with nitrate and/or hydroxide counter ions provides a composition that may auto-ignite at a low enough temperature to be based with thermally sensitive gas generants. The present copper-oxalyldihydrazide complexes may also be used in conjunction with various oxidizers to produce compositions with sufficient energy to auto-ignite practically any known pyrotechnic composition.

Abstract: A highly heat-resistant gas generating agent is provided. The gas generating agent is for a gas generator for an airbag system that is installed at least outside a vehicle cabin and that protects an individual subjected to impact by the vehicle, and has a mass loss rate of not more than 1% after holding for 400 hours at 130° C. in a sealed system. The gas generating agent preferably comprises fuel and oxidizing agent and the melting point of the fuel is preferably at least 250° C.

Abstract: Pyrotechnic priming charge (1) intended to be used preferably for starting up one or more ignition chains, comprising a coherent porous fuel structure (2) and at least one oxidizer (4). According to the invention, the primer also comprises a moisture inhibitor (5) applied to the surface of the primer with a view to increasing the safety of the primer and reducing the risk of unintentional ignition due to breakdown of the oxidizer under the influence of ambient moisture and temperature.

Abstract: A gas generant for an inflatable restraint device (for example, an airbag system for a vehicle) is a monolithic compressed solid that has a linear burn rate of greater than or equal to about 1.6 inches per second at a pressure of about 3,000 pounds per square inch. The gas generant can be in the form of an annular disk having a plurality of apertures. The gas generant may be substantially free of binder and may have a low initial surface area which progressively increases during burning. The gas generant provides a gas generation profile that improves restraint of vehicle occupants, including those occupants that are out-of-position. Additionally, the shaped gas generant decreases occupant exposure to toxic effluent combustion products and solid respirable particulates.

Abstract: The invention provides a chlorine-containing pyrotechnic composition which comprises a binder, an oxidator, a pyrotechnic fuel, and a colorant comprising a metal salt of 5-aminotetrazole. The invention further relates to a firework article comprising such a pyrotechnic composition.

Abstract: A propellant charge, a priming cap including the propellant charge and a weapons training system including the priming cap are characterized in that the propellant charge contains a soft friction agent. The propellant charge can contain at least one impact-sensitive explosive substance as a heavy-metal-free priming compound, and the soft friction agent can be marble, calcite, dolomite, soft carbonates and/or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Extrudable gas generant compositions which, upon combustion, produce or result in an improved effluent and related methods for generating inflation gas for use in an inflatable restraint system are provided. Such extrudable gas generant compositions include a non-azide, organic, nitrogen-containing fuel, at least one copper-containing compound, a perchlorate additive and a polymeric binder material. The at least one copper-containing compound may be selected from basic copper nitrate, cupric oxide, a copper diammine-ammonium-nitrate mixture wherein the ammonium nitrate is present in the mixture in a range of about 3 to about 90 weight percent, and/or a copper-nitrate complex resulting from reaction of 5-aminotetrazole with basic copper nitrate.

Abstract: In the development of new minimum signature ducted rocket technology, the U.S. Army MICOM Propulsion Directorate has conducted studies for the development of fuel-rich gas generators for ducted rockets. The propellant formulation goals of this study include increasing burning rate, pressure exponent, and combustion efficiency without significantly decreasing fuel value. Formulations described in this application contain an energetic nitramine-prepolymer, a range of curing agents, and zirconium hydride (ZrH2) fuel element and carbon (C) as an optional fuel element.

Abstract: A universal pyrotechnical percussion compositions used in rimfire ammunition and in cenerfire ammunition primers which is free of lead and other heavy metals. In the PCC of the present invention, the task of maintaining ecological purity of its burning products, absence of corrosion action on a barrel, increased shelf-life, with simultaneous increase of energetic parameters of primer and ballistic characteristics of a shot is achieved. The composition includes a base mixture of diazodinitrophenol, tetrazene and an inert organic or glass stablizer. To this base mixture, monopotassium styphnate or potassium dinitrobenzofuroxane is added. The mixture so created has a specific gravity of less than 1.7 grams per cubic centimeter.

Abstract: A gas generant for an air, which is improved in the defects of gas generants using sodium azide in a practical use and has stable combustion capability. And a molecular compound comprising (a) a gas generant component, (b) an oxidant component and (c) a reaction accelerator component, preferably represented by the composition formula (I).M.mX.nY (I)[wherein, M is Al Mg, Ca, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, Sr, Ni and another metal components; X is a nitrogen-containing compound having 0 or 1 carbon atom; Y is an anion such as NO.sub.3 and ClO; m is a number of 1 to 3; and n is a number 2 to 3].

Abstract: Polyethers containing pendant azide groups are cured without a catalyst by yclo-addition with diacetylenes to form triazole cross-linked, energetic binders having improved mechanical properties and stability. The polyethers typically have three hydroxy-terminated chains each of about 5000 to about 50,000 daltons. Ideally, only one azide group per chain reacts by cyclo-addition since the diacetylene is added in a proportion of about one molecule to each two polyether chains. Repeating units of glycidal azide, azidomethylmethyloxetane, bis-azidomethyloxetane/nitratomethylmethyloxetane, and bis-azidomethyloxetane/azidomethylmethyloxetane are believed effective as polyethers when used with the diethynlbenzenes 1,4-bis(ethynl)benzene, 1,4-bis(ethynlcarbonyl)benzene, and 1,3-bis(cyanoethynl)benzene. The polyethers may be further cross-liked at the hydroxyl terminations by urethane bonds.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an airbag system that includes a gas generant, which is improved in the defects of gas generants using sodium azide in a practical use and has stable combustion capability. A molecular compound comprising (a) a gas generant component, (b) an oxidant component and (c) a reaction accelerator component, preferably represented by the composition formula (I).M.mX.

Abstract: A priming mixture containing no toxic materials, in particular no Pb, Ba or Sb compounds, and presenting at least one primary explosive, an oxidizing agent, a reducing agent, and an inert friction agent; the oxidizing agent consisting essentially of stannic oxide, SnO.sub.2. The central-fire or rimfire percussion primer presents a casing containing the priming mixture, and, in the case of the central-fire primer, also an anvil.

Abstract: Metal complex compounds having the general formula Me(DADPyOx).sub.x wherein Me stands for a transition metal ion, DADPyOx stands for 2,6-diamino-3,5-dinitropyridine-1-oxide and x represents an integer of 1, 2, 3, or 4. These compounds are useful as insensitive, high-energy explosives.

Abstract: An explosive charge is disclosed for use as ammunition in a casing. The charge is comprised of a particulate propellant which is embedded in a solidified matrix prepared from an energetic liquid composition. The latter comprises a liquid, energetic plasticizer, a polyol and an organic polyisocyanate.

Abstract: An electrically primable igniter charge yield has a composition that yields a reduced proportion of toxic vapors after the deflagration. The composition of the charges contains, as the oxidizing agent, zinc peroxide and, as a component providing additional energy, initiating explosives of the kind which do not trigger a detonation in direct contact with press-molded elements of nitrocellulose propellant charge powders. Among these initiating exposives are the potassium salts of trinitrophenol or trinitroresorcinol. The components of the igniter charges are mixed with fibers of an electrically conductive material. Suitable conductive materials are carbon or metals, such as iron or copper, or metal alloys, such as brass, for example. The igniter charges furthermore contain a binder which is preferably a secondary explosive, such as, for example, nitrocellulose.

Abstract: A priming composition with an elevated thermal stability, which is sensit to percussion, is disclosed. The priming composition comprises a tetrazolic ring containing primary explosive and a sensitivity additive. The sensitivity additive comprises an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent. 40 to 95 weight percent of the priming composition is the primary explosive, 2.5 to 40 weight percent of the priming composition is the oxidizing agent and 2.5 to 40 weight percent of the priming composition is the reducing agent. The priming composition is applied to heads of percussion fuses.

Abstract: An electric primer for caseless propellant charges comprises an electrically conductive layer composed of an at least partially crystalline explosive and a finely divided, at least partially crystalline electron conductor distributed in the explosive. Optionally, the primer can be arranged on a support, which is preferably an explosive.

Abstract: An improved explosive composition is disclosed and comprises a major portion of an explosive having a detonation velocity between about 1,500 and 10,000 meters per second and a minor amount of a getter additive comprising a non-explosive compound or mixture of non-explosive compounds capable of chemically reacting with free radicals or ions under shock initiation conditions of 2,000 calories/cm.sup.2 or less of energy fluence.

Abstract: Metallic or ammonium salts of diazotized mono or dinitrodihydroxyaminobenzenes are disclosed wherein the corresponding aminonitrodihydroxybenzene has the formula ##STR1## where n equals 1 or 2. The amino group is diazotized to form the diazotized mono or dinitrodihydroxyaminobenzene from which the metallic or ammonium salt is formed. Disclosed in the application are metallic or ammonium salts of diazotized mono or dinitrodihydroxyaminobenzenes, processes for their preparation and their use as igniting agents for priming compositions and explosives.

Abstract: Energetic silicon compounds of the general formulae ##STR1## The gem dinitro compounds are prepared from alkyl bromide silanes by sod nitrite displacement and oxidative nitration. The compounds are then fluorinated. To prepare the polysiloxanes, phenyl blocking groups are used during synthesis of the fluoro dinitro moiety and are then replaced with bromine and the monomer is hydrolyzed.

Abstract: An explosive device having utility as a stab-initiated detonator or primer hich comprises a container for housing an explosive charge, and a single explosive charge consisting of from about 90 percent to about 98 percent by weight of mercuric-5-nitrotetrazole and from about 2 percent to about 10 percent by weight of tetracene, housed within the container.

Abstract: Mercuric-5-nitrotetrazole in an electrical explosive detonator serves as sole explosive charge for detonating a secondary explosive.

Abstract: A priming composition for use in ammunition, which priming composition contains as a frictionator and sensitizer ground metallic oxide particles, such as cupric oxide, in place of ground glass.

Abstract: A priming composition for use in ammunition, which priming composition contains as a frictionator and sensitizer ground zirconium oxide particles in place of glass.

Abstract: Double-based propellant combustion catalysts such as lead stannatetolylene iisocyanate(reduced) are extremely effective in lowering the temperature dependency of burning rate with pressure of smokeless propellants irrespective of their crossed or uncrossed linkages.