Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion is disclosed which comprises:(A) a continuous oil phase;(B) a discontinuous aqueous phase;(C) a minor emulsifying amount of at least one salt derived from (C)(I) at least one hydrocarbyl-substituted carboxylic acid or anhydride, or ester or amide derivative of said acid or anhydride, the hydrocarbyl substituent of (C)(I) having an average of from about 20 to about 500 carbon atoms, and (C)(II) at least one amine; and(D) a functional amount of at least one water-soluble, oil-insoluble functional additive dissolved in said aqueous phase; with the proviso that when component (D) is ammonium nitrate, component (C) is other than an ester/salt formed by the reaction of polyisobutenyl (Mn=950) succinic anhydride with diethylethanolamine in a ratio of one equivalent of anhydride to one equivalent of amine.

Abstract: A packaged booster charge is provided which is sensitive to initiation by blasting cap yet which contains no self-explosive ingredient. The composition of the booster comprises a low melting point nitrate salt or salt mixture having dissolved or finely dispersed therein an acetylenic substance and void containing material. The booster is safe and economic to manufacture and sufficiently powerful to initiate insensitive blasting agents.

Abstract: A solid or semisolid propellant comprising grains of propellant or propellant components bonded together so as to create voids within the propellant volume, said grains bonded together with sufficient strength to substantially delay the fluidization of the propellant by the onset of Taylor unstable burning, said propellant having a rapid burn rate below that associated with Taylor unstable burn. In another embodiment, the grains are held within and the voids are filled with viscous fluid binder such as a petroleum oil, said binder functioning to hinder Taylor unsatable burning and yet permit very rapid burning within the propellant volume.

Abstract: This invention relates to non-toxic, non-corrosive, lead-free rimfire ammunition.

Abstract: This invention relates to priming compositions for ammunitions containing manganese dioxide as oxidizer agent in the primer mix, and to the rimfire cartridge containing dinol, manganese dioxide, tetrazene and glass.

Abstract: Water-based explosives that use siliceous boron-containing microspheres as sensitizing agents are stabilized by adding multivalent metal ions to the explosives. Zinc salts are especially useful.

Abstract: Waterproof explosive compositions are made from blends of inorganic oxidizing salts, fuel oil and polygalactomannans plus crosslinkers. When exposed to water, the polygalactomannans and crosslinkers form gels which protect the explosive composition from penetration of water and the dissolution of the inorganic oxidizing salt.

Abstract: High density water gel explosives having relatively large amounts of low density sensitizers are prepared by evenly dispersing a densifying material therethrough. Separation of the densifying material during the mixing and packaging of the water gel explosive is prevented by adding from about 0.1 to 2% comminuted paper to the water gel. It has been found that the paper greatly increases the viscosity of the composition, so that the heavier densifying materials do not settle out. The paper has also been found to contribute to the stability of the explosive gel over prolonged storage periods.

Abstract: A solid propellant acts in a chamber to propel a member such as a rocket, the chamber being closed to the atmosphere. The propellant provides high density-impulses and, when combusted, produces end products which do not have any deleterious effects. The propellant preferably includes a binder having hydrocarbon linkages and a lead compound oxidizer formed from an inorganic lead oxidizer salt. This oxidizer has dense characteristics and stable properties at ambient temperatures and through a particular range of temperatures above ambient. The propellant also includes a fuel additive, preferably a metal such as aluminum, having properties of being oxidized by the oxidizer and of reducing the lead. The fuel additive has a percentage by weight relative to the lead compound oxidizer to reduce the lead to lead oxide. The fuel additive is preferably included in the propellant in the range to approximately twenty percent (20%) by weight and is preferably in a fragmentary form.

Abstract: A new arrangement of matter is developed which can be formulated to be a high explosive, a propellant or a gas generator. The new arrangement of matter in its explosive embodiment is known as a microknit composite explosive (MCX) in which an essentially anhydrous mixture of inorganic salts, surfactants and organic fuels is prepared while the oxidizer is molten, and a microcrystalline property is created which imparts a hard, machinable characteristic to the arrangement of matter.

Abstract: A new arrangement of matter is developed which can be formulated to be a high explosive, a propellant or a gas generator. The new arrangement of matter in its explosive embodiment is known as a eutectic microknit explosive (EMCX) in which an essentially anhydrous eutectic mixture of ammonium nitrate, soluble explosive, and other oxidizing salts is mixed with surfactants and organic fuels while the eutectic mixture is molten, and a microcrystalline property is created which imparts a hard, machinable characteristic to the arrangement of matter.

Abstract: A new arrangement of matter is developed which can be formulated to be a high explosive, a propellant or a gas generator. The new arrangement of matter in its explosive embodiment is known as a microknit composite explosive (MCX) in which an essentially anhydrous mixture of perchlorate based oxidizer salts, surfactants and organic fuels is prepared while the oxidizer is molten, and a microcrystalline property is created which imparts a hard, machinable characteristic to the arrangement of matter.

Abstract: The tracer unit, which is particularly adaptable for ammunition used in hand guns and submachine guns, consists of a base charge including about 70 to about 90 weight % strontium peroxide, about 5 to about 15 weight % calcium resinate and about 5 to about 10 weight % magnesium and an igniter charge covering the base charge and including about 40 to about 60 weight % calcium resinate, about 20 to about 30 weight % strontium nitrate and about 20 to about 30 weight % magnesium. A small cavity in the rear end of a projectile is partially filled with the base charge which is tamped into the cavity by the application of a low pressure, such as by hand tamping with a metal plunger or the like. The igniter charge is added to the projectile cavity on top of the base charge and, after drying, the exposed surface of the igniter charge is covered with a compatible moisture proofing material, such as shellac.

Abstract: Explosives that are sensitized blends of inorganic nitrate, e.g., AN, particles, such as AN or ANFO prills, and an aqueous slurry comprising a thickened aqueous solution of an inorganic oxidizing salt, preferably AN, are rendered storage-stable by keeping the slurry's water content low enough, and its viscosity high enough, that the slurry is water-retentive. Water immobilization in the slurry, a requirement for storage stability, is achieved despite the slurry's flowable consistency at the time of blending. A blend containing about 25% slurry or less, is essentially in the form of a granular mass of free-flowing, high-density, slurry-bearing prills, and the slurry is sensitizable by the prills alone. As the slurry content exceeds about 25%, the blend takes on the characteristics of a thick slurry, requiring a supplemental sensitizer in the slurry per se.

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: The invention relates to a cast explosive composition having a relatively high density and energy and a critical diameter no larger than about 150 mm at a temperature of 5.degree. C. The composition comprises inorganic oxidizer salt consisting primarily of ammonium nitrate, a water-immiscible organic liquid fuel, less than about 5% water, a sensitizer and an emulsifier which allows formation of a water-in-oil emulsion at an elevated formulation temperature but which also allows the emulsion to weaken and the inorganic oxidizer salt to crystallize at lower or ambient temperatures to produce a cast composition.

Abstract: A method of minimizing deep hole pressure effects on ammonium nitrate-containing blasting agents while optimizing booster sensitivity, detonation rate and detonation energy of such agents, by replacing density control component(s) with a sensitizer formulation comprising particulate aluminum and particulate smokeless powder; and a corresponding detonatable high density emulsion blasting agent utilizing such sensitizing formulation.

Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition containing hollow microspheres obtained by firing volcanic ash and having a bulk density of 0.05-0.1 and an average particle size of 10-100 .mu.m has improved explosion performance and safety over water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition containing conventional hollow microspheres.

Abstract: A soft composite explosive composition is made by forming an oil-continuous, melt-in-fuel emulsion in which the discontinuous phase is comprised of ammonium nitrate and other ingredients which together form a eutectic mixture. The continuous phase includes a combination of fuels and emulsifiers constituting less than 2.5% by weight of the formulation. Soluble compounds such as self-explosive compounds or compounds which can be converted to explosive compounds in situ may be added directly to the discontinuous phase along with one or more oxidizer salts.

Abstract: An explosive composition containing micro-voids consisting of thermoplastic resin hollow microspheres coated with a thermosetting resin has a remarkably excellent low temperature detonability in a small diameter cartridge after lapse of a long period of time.

Abstract: A gas-retaining agent consisting of bubble assemblies, each bubble assembly being one particle consisting of a large number of bubbles agglomerated into the particle, is effective for improving the safety of water-in-oil emulsion explosive compositions against methane and coal dust, for improving the sympathetic detonability of the explosive compositions and for lowering their detonation velocity without deteriorating their strength.

Abstract: A gas-retaining agent having a particle size of 177-3,000 .mu.m is effective for improving the safety of water-in-oil emulsion explosive compositions against methane and coal dust and for improving the sympathetic detonability of the explosive compositions without deteriorating their strength.

Abstract: A dry explosive seismic composition which can be initiated by low grain detonating cord so as to minimize the fire hazards typically associated with seismic testing. Preferred compositions within the scope of the present invention include a sensitizer of Hexamine or a derivative thereof, such as Hexamethylenetetramine Mononitrate. The compositions of the present invention not only reduce the fire hazards associated with using such compositions, but they also resist vaporization of the sensitizer, thereby minimizing the problems associated with handling the compositions.

Abstract: An explosive oil-in-water emulsion and a method of manufacture is disclosed. The process comprises combining a liquid carbonaceous fuel and an aqueous solution of at least one inorganic oxidizing salt, with agitation, in the presence of ingredients A and B, ingredient A being selected from the group consisting of oleic acid, linoleic acid and mixtures thereof, and ingredient B being selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkylamines, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyldiamines, hydrazine, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkanolamines, urea and mixtures thereof, incorporating dispersed gas bubbles into the resulting water-in-oil emulsion, one of said ingredients A and B being added before or during agitation and the remaining ingredient of ingredients A or B being added during agitation.

Abstract: An incendiary mixture which is constituted of metals with at least one oxygen-supplying metal oxide and an organic binder, and/or a nitrate, chlorate, perchlorate or peroxide selected from the group of elements consisting of sodium, potassium, lithium, barium, strontium, as well as compounds of ammonium.

Abstract: This invention concerns a dynamite type explosive composition which comprises at least one liquid explosive nitric ester and an emulsion composition comprising an oxygen-releasing salt phase, an organic phase and an emulsifier. The invention provides dynamite type compositions in which the amount of liquid explosive nitric ester can be significantly reduced without adversely affecting the performance and physical properties of the composition.

Abstract: Explosive composition of water-in-oil, containing as a continuous phase a carbonaceous fuel and as a discontinuous phase an oxygen-releasing aqueous salt solution, the continuous phase containing a water-insoluble lipophilic viscosity index improver for the purpose of controlling the consistency.

Abstract: Constituent pyrotechnic materials are dispensed by prescribed weight or volume into a single container containing an excess volume of an inert liquid, such as Freon T.E., having the property of preventing ionization of the materials. The pyrotechnic materials in inert fluid medium are then stirred so as to obtain an homogeneous slurry mixture. The slurry is allowed to settle and the inert fluid is decanted off for future reuse. The remaining slurry is dispensed into individual containers under pressure. The slurry is vacuum dried at a safe temperature to minimize the accidental ignition hazard while removing the remaining inert liquid, thus forming individual casts of pyrotechnic material. The casts are permitted to reach ambient temperature and pressure at predetermined rates so as to prevent cracking of the pyrotechnic charges.

Abstract: A blasting composition, method, and system for making such is disclosed. The blasting composition consists essentially of a particulate inorganic nitrate oxidizer, a particulate metal fuel, water, and a gelling agent. The composition is prepared by blending 10-20% by weight of the total amount of water to be added to the composition, with the particulate inorganic nitrate oxidizer; adding a dry blend of gelling agent and particulate metal fuel to the damp oxidizer; briefly mixing the two components; adding the remainder of the water; and slowly subjecting the mixture to a tumbling action for a brief period of time sufficient to obtain a uniform composition.

Abstract: This invention concerns a melt explosive composition which comprises as a first component a melt which is pourable, pumpable or flowable at a temperature in the range of from -10.degree. C. to +90.degree. C. and which comprises at least one oxygen-releasing salt, for example ammonium nitrate, and at least one melt-soluble fuel material, for example urea, and as a second component oiled prills of ammonium nitrate. The explosive composition offers the advantage of utilizing relatively inexpensive fuel oil as a secondary fuel in a melt explosive composition without loss of detonation sensitivity of the composition on storage. The explosive compositions also show good retention of detonation sensitivity under conditions of applied static pressure, for example, in deep boreholes.

Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition comprising a carbonaceous fuel, and inorganic oxidizer, an emulsifier, and a sensitizing/densifying agent of finely divided non-explosive material of high density, such as ferrophosphorus, ferrosilicon, ferromanganese, sand or alumia which is added to the oil phase. The water-in-oil composition can also contain other components, such as bulking agents, additional fuels and auxiliary sensitizers. The sensitized compositions can be detonated with a No. 6 cap in diameters as low as 2.54 centimeters at temperatures as low as 5.degree. F. and with densities as high as 1.50 g/cc.

Abstract: This invention concerns a water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition which comprises a discontinuous aqueous phase containing one or more oxygen-releasing salts, a continuous water-immiscible organic phase comprising sump oil, and an emulsifying agent. The explosive compositions show improved sensitivity over conventional compositions made using paraffin oil as the organic phase.

Abstract: A sensitizing agent for water gel explosive compositions and process for preparing the same is provided which comprises an oxidizer, water, a gelling agent, and a cross-linker, and wherein the improvement comprises including therein a sensitizer comprised of from about 1 to about 15 weight percent of aluminum admixed with from about 2 to about 25 weight percent of a densifying agent, such as ferrophosphorus, ferromanganese, ferrosilicon, or combinations thereof, said weight percentages being based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: A gas-bubble-sensitized melt explosive composition, which is not deleteriously affected by pumping, containing certain surfactants which inhibit the disengagement of the sensitizing gas bubbles.

Abstract: A solid fire starter which will provide a high temperature consisting of a mixture of hexamethylenetetramine, magnesium powder, an oxygen producing chemical, and a binder. The preferred proportion of magnesium to hexamethylenetetramine is about 2 to 3. The preferred oxygen-producing chemicals include tartaric acid and sodium nitrate. The preferred composition comprises 80 parts of magnesium powder, 120 parts of hexamethylenetetramine, 50 parts tartaric acid, 100 parts sodium nitrate, and 45 parts of wax.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic missile which includes a body, first and second pyrotechnic eets disposed on said body, and an autoigniter mounted on the body for igniting the pyrotechnic sheets. The combination of pyrotechnic sheets are adapted to yield an abundance of electrons while burning in a vacuum. The first pyrotechnic sheet includes a binder, cesium dichromate, cesium nitrate, boron, and a metal fuel. The second pyrotechnic sheet includes a binder, cesium nitrate, and a metal fuel. The autoignitor is adapted to ignite in response to heat due to air friction.

Abstract: Polymeric material comprising at least four polymeric constituents which comprise mer units of the following types:I. acrylamide or derivatives thereofII. acrylonitrile or derivatives thereofIII. acrylic acid and esters, or derivatives thereofIV. alkylol, sulphonyl or phosphonyl derivatives of I.The polymeric materials are useful as components of water bearing systems which are in the form of gels or suspensions.

Abstract: This invention concerns a melt explosive composition which comprises at least one oxygen-releasing salt, for example ammonium nitrate, at least one melt soluble fuel material, for example urea, and at least one naphthalenesulfonate derivative selected from the condensates of formaldehyde and naphthalenesulfonic acids and the alkali and alkaline earth metal salts thereof, for example disodium methylene-bis(naphthalene-.beta.-sulfonic acid). The explosive compositions show a considerable improvement in detonation sensitivity in small diameter boreholes.

Abstract: A blasting composition, method and system for making such is disclosed. The blasting composition is a homogeneous slurry-type blasting agent containing a major amount of water and a relatively small amount of a particulate fuel, preferably a particulate metal fuel. The blasting composition is made by premixing the fuel with water and a gelling agent to form a stable suspension of fuel in the water, metering the suspension of fuel into a dry particulate mixture of an inorganic metal oxidizer and a gelling agent, and slowly tumbling the mixture a short time sufficient to obtain a uniform composition without desensitizing the composition to detonation.

Abstract: A powder explosive composition comprising particulate inorganic oxidizing salt, finely divided metal sensitizer and, optionally additional fuel consisting of discrete granules containing oxidizing salt and sensitizing metal coated with a tough, cohesive, resilient gelled solution of the oxidizing salt, the amount of the coating being insufficient to form a continuous gelled phase. The composition is more water resistant, less dusty and less sensitive to friction and impact than the metal sensitized powder compositions of the prior art.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a permissible aqueous blasting composition containing at least about 15% calcium nitrate as oxidizer salt. The calcium nitrate combined with water, inert material, a sensitizer, and cross linking and thickening agents forms a stable aqueous blasting composition or slurry which will meet the permissibility requirements of the U.S. Department of Labor. The use of this minimum amount of calcium nitrate particularly is effective in increasing storage stability.

Abstract: Pyrotechnic compositions in which sulfur is utilized to regulate or control the ignition or detonation of potassium nitrate and aluminum in compositions which may be used as emergency, signal or display type flares and which are characterized by exhibiting a predetermined or timed pulsating illuminary effect.

Abstract: An explosive composition comprising ammonium nitrate, a nitroalkane, a sensitizer, and an oxidizable fuel.

Abstract: A cap-sensitive explosive composition in powder form contains, in addition to ammonium nitrate as its single oxygen releasing component, and optional components commonly used in explosive compositions, four components within specific weight ranges, calculated on the basis of the weight of the explosive composition:(a) 3 to 8% of a combustible liquid consisting of one or more completely water soluble components, having a boiling temperature of above 120.degree. C., and being capable of dissolving ammonium nitrate in amounts of between 20 grams and 100 grams per 100 grams of said liquid without reacting chemically with ammonium nitrate;(b) 0.5 to 2.5% of a water blocking agent consisting of a high molecular weight polysaccharide having the property of imparting high viscosity to an aqueous, saturated ammonium nitrate solution;(c) 0.

Abstract: An explosive slurry containing red water, a nitrocellulose containing prolant, oxidizer, passivated aluminum and a thickening agent.

Abstract: A blasting composition of high solids content, usually of plastic solid consistency, is composed of 60 to 90 parts by weight of solid particulate oxidizer salt, which is mainly ammonium nitrate, preferably fertilizer grade prills, and 10 to 40% of liquid slurry partially filling the interstices and voids in and between the solid particles. The slurry is one that will not appreciably dissolve or soften the granules, hence it is preferably a substantially saturated and thickened solution, in non-aqueous solvent, of strong oxidizer salt, typically ammonium and/or calcium nitrate to which sodium nitrate may be added. The preferred solvent is a low molecular weight polar organic liquid, selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethylene glycol, formamide and ethanol. In some cases isopropanol or propylene glycol may be included.

Abstract: An explosive composition wherein no water is added and no water is formed as a reaction product during detonation. The composition is oxygen balanced and contains no hydrogen.

Abstract: Water-in-oil emulsion blasting agent compositions are provided which are non-cap sensitive yet detonable under high heads of water and which contain as the sole oxidizing salt ammonium nitrate, an ammonium nitrate to hydrocarbon fuel weight ratio in the range of about 95:5 to about 93:7, a preferred wax to oil weight ratio in the range of from about 1:1 to about 1:4, void containing material to yield a final density at the time of manufacture of from about 1.20 to about 1.25 grams per cubic centimeter and optionally up to about 12 parts by weight of auxiliary fuel per 88 parts of the above composition. The blasting agents are capable of cartridge-to-cartridge propagation even when detonated under high heads of water when packaged in cardboard containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to water-in-oil emulsion blasting agents having a discontinuous aqueous phase, a continuous oil or water-immiscible liquid organic phase, and an emulsifier having an unsaturated hydrocarbon chain for its lipophilic portion.

Abstract: The composition of this invention contains red phosphorus, magnesium, sod nitrate, and an epoxy binder. It can optionally contain silica to aid in processing. The magnesium is used to sustain the smoke produced by the red phosphorus for a period greater than 5 minutes for screening of military operations. Further, the composition does not exhibit any increased sensitivity to impact or friction over traditional smoke-producing compositions. This is the case even though the composition contains a high-level of red phosphorus.