Abstract: Provided are: composite particles having excellent oxidation resistance; and a method for producing composite particles. The composite particles are obtained by forming a composite of TiN and at least one of Al, Cr, and Nb. In the method for producing composite particles, a titanium powder and a powder of at least one of Al, Cr, and Nb are used as raw material powders and composite particles are produced using a gas phase method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of sodium-based solid compounds, such as sodium-based solid alloys and sodium-based crystalline phases by ball-milling using metallic sodium as starting material. The invention also relates to some sodium-based crystalline P?2-phases and to Na-based vanadium phosphates phases (Na(3+y)V2(PO4)3) with 0<y?3 and Na-based vanadium fluorophosphates phases (Na(3+z)V2(PO4)2F3) with 0<z?3, in particular Na4V2(PO4)2F3, obtained by such a process and to their use, as active material for positive electrode, in a Na-ion battery.

Abstract: A process of producing an infrared radiation-generating decoy for protecting against heat-seeking missiles and other heat-seeking devices comprises the step of decomposing a metal carboxy compound in the substantial absence of gaseous oxygen, to produce a pyrophoric material as a decomposition product of the metal carboxy compound, which pyrophoric material is arranged to combust spontaneously upon contact with air when the decoy is used. The metal carboxy compound may be iron oxalate, and the pyrophoric material may be ferrous oxide. The pyrophoric material may be coated onto a substrate, and a plurality of coated substrate pieces may be used in a decoy.

Abstract: A shaped charge liner comprises a powder, and the powder comprises a blend of particles. The particles comprise a core material, a first reactant material in intimate contact with the core material, and a second reactant material in intimate contact with the first reactant, where the core material has a density greater than 10 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc).

Abstract: There are disclosed energetic nanoparticle compositions and materials containing silicon and other energetic elements, and methods of manufacturing the same, including reacting silicon nanoparticles and unsaturated alkene or alkyne to form covalently bonded surface coatings passivated against surface oxidation, for combination with a fuel, explosive or oxidizer.

Abstract: Propellant compositions include an energetic binder, such as nitrocellulose, and a stabilized, encapsulated red phosphorous as a ballistic modifier. The propellant composition may additionally include an energetic plasticizer, such as nitroglycerine. For example, the propellant composition may be formed by mixing a double or multi base propellant that includes nitrocellulose plasticized with nitroglycerine with the stabilized, encapsulated red phosphorus. The propellant compositions may be substantially lead-free and may exhibit improved ballistic properties. Methods of forming such propellant compositions and an ordnance device including such propellant compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Propellant compositions include an energetic binder, such as nitrocellulose, and a stabilized, encapsulated red phosphorous as a ballistic modifier. The propellant composition may additionally include an energetic plasticizer, such as nitroglycerine. For example, the propellant composition may be formed by mixing a double or multi base propellant that includes nitrocellulose plasticized with nitroglycerine with the stabilized, encapsulated red phosphorus. The propellant compositions may be substantially lead-free and may exhibit improved ballistic properties. Methods of forming such propellant compositions and an ordnance device including such propellant compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method for the production of pyrophoric materials which does not employ hot NaOH and produces pyrophoric materials on various types of ceramic, metal, nanomaterial substrates. The method impregnates the substrate materials with pyrophoric iron or other materials resulting in materials that are “tunable” with respect to its pyrophoric output as determined by its temperature, rise time sustenance etc through selective variation of particle size, morphology, and diluents or reactive materials.

Abstract: A heat generating structure includes a substrate, a coating and a polymeric material. The substrate comprises a first material. The coating comprises a second material, different from the first material that covers at least a portion of the substrate. The coating and substrate, upon being thermally energized to their minimum alloying temperature, react in a first exothermic reaction that is an alloying reaction. The relative quantities of the substrate and coating are such that the first exothermic reaction yields a first amount of exothermic energy that is insufficient to cause self-sustained propagation of the first exothermic reaction. The polymeric material covers substantially all of the substrate and coating, and is different from the first and second materials. The polymeric layer, upon being thermally energized, reacts with at least one of the substrate and coating in a second exothermic reaction.

Abstract: A method for gas atomization of oxygen-reactive reactive metals and alloys wherein the atomized particles are exposed as they solidify and cool in a very short time to multiple gaseous reactive agents for the in-situ formation of a protective reaction film on the atomized particles. The present invention is especially useful for making highly pyrophoric reactive metal or alloy atomized powders, such as atomized magnesium and magnesium alloy powders. The gaseous reactive species (agents) are introduced into the atomization spray chamber at locations downstream of a gas atomizing nozzle as determined by the desired powder or particle temperature for the reactions and the desired thickness of the reaction film.

Abstract: Propellant compositions include an energetic binder, such as nitrocellulose, and a stabilized, encapsulated red phosphorous as a ballistic modifier. The propellant composition may additionally include an energetic plasticizer, such as nitroglycerine. For example, the propellant composition may be formed by mixing a double or multi base propellant that includes nitrocellulose plasticized with nitroglycerine with the stabilized, encapsulated red phosphorus. The propellant compositions may be substantially lead-free and may exhibit improved ballistic properties. Methods of forming such propellant compositions and an ordnance device including such propellant compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laminated energetic device is disclosed. The laminated energetic device includes a low-gas generating energetic mixture, a core on which the low-gas generating energetic mixture is located, and a protective film for sealing the low-gas generating energetic mixture between the core and the protective film.

Abstract: A lead-free electric primer composition including a mixture of at least one metal having nanometer-sized particles with at least one oxidizer having nanometer-sized particles producing a metal(s)-oxidizer(s) nanocomposite, wherein the oxidizer(s) is present in an effective amount to substantially oxidize the metal(s), at least one gas generating material mixed with the metal(s)-oxidizer(s) nanocomposite producing a metal(s)-oxidizer(s)-gas generator(s) composition, at least one binder, the metal(s)-oxidizer(s)-gas generating composition is coated with the binder, and at least one conductive material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid formulation, more particularly to a pellet-type formulation that produces CO2 gas in a constant rate when contacting liquid acid. The pellet-type formulation of the invention is characterized in that the pellet is produced by the following: preparing a pellet by extrusion molding a composition that comprises a major amount of Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3) and a minor amount of gelatin, and additionally a minor amount of synthetic resin that hardly reacts with acid; coating said pellet with a resin that hardly reacts with acid; and forming a recess or a hole at the center of the pellet. The present invention also relates to a process of preparing a pellet-type formulation that produces CO2 gas in a constant rate when contacting liquid acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to granules comprising a homogenous mixture of metal flakes and/or metal powder and metal oxide powder, and a binder. The invention also relates to a process for producing such granules. The process includes the step of forming a mixture of metal flakes and/or metal powder and metal oxide powder, forming the mixture into a homogenous blend, adding the blend, together with a binder, to a granulator to form granules, and drying the granules. Granules so formed containing aluminum, aluminum oxide and iron oxide find particular use as sensitizers and energizers in explosives compositions.

Abstract: A missile includes a pyrotechnic charge. The missile is constructed in such a way that the pyrotechnic charge is made to burn deflagratively when the missile is used correctly. The pyrotechnic charge includes a mixture containing at least one metal or a metal alloy as a fuel and at least one metal oxide as an oxidizing agent. The fuel and the oxidizing agent are selected in such a manner that they can react with one another by burning. The mixture is compressed to a density of at least 85% of a theoretical density of the mixture, and the fuel, the oxidizing agent and a quantitative ratio between the fuel and the oxidizing agent are selected in such a manner that a density of the mixture is at least 6 g/cm3.

Abstract: A method of improving the burn rate and ignitability of aluminium fuel particles, and a thus modified aluminium fuel for use in propellant and explosive compositions and pyrotechnic charges. Aluminium fuel particles are treated with an aqueous solution of hydrofluoric acid and a fluoride and/or complex fluoride salt of an alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal to form a surface layer of a fluoride complex bound to the aluminium fuel particle.

Abstract: A heat generating structure includes a substrate of a first material and a second material coating at least a portion and preferably all of the first material, where the second material is different from the first material. The structure also includes an additional material or compound such as ammonia borane that is impregnated or located within the structure. When the structure is thermally energized, the first and second materials react with each other in an exothermic and self-sustaining reaction that pyrolyzes the impregnated ammonia borane compound to create a target gas, for example, hydrogen from the ammonia borane. An additional material, for example, a thermite, may be interposed between the structure and the ammonia borane to facilitate the ignition of the ammonia borane.

Abstract: A process of producing an infrared radiation-generating decoy for protecting against heat-seeking missiles and other heat-seeking devices comprises the step of decomposing a metal carboxy compound in the substantial absence of gaseous oxygen, to produce a pyrophoric material as a decomposition product of the metal carboxy compound, which pyrophoric material is arranged to combust spontaneously upon contact with air when the decoy is used. The metal carboxy compound may be iron oxalate, and the pyrophoric material may be ferrous oxide. The pyrophoric material may be coated onto a substrate, and a plurality of coated substrate pieces may be used in a decoy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rapidly expanding metallic mixture treated for oxidation prevention thereof at room temperature, comprising a metal salt and a metal powder, which prevents its spontaneous explosion due to oxidation of the metal powder in the mixture at room temperature during storage, or dysfunction of the mixture upon blasting work because of altered mixing ratios between the metal salt and the metal powder. The rapidly expanding metallic mixture is characterized in that the mixture is added with a water repellent such as oil or an inorganic preservative, or is coated with a resin and formed to the size of 0.1-100 mm3.

Abstract: An autoignition material includes a plurality of agglomerates. Each agglomerate comprises an oxidizer material particle. A plurality of metal fuel particles are disposed on the oxidizer material particle. The metal fuel particles are present in a weight ratio effective to substantially stoichiometrically balance the oxidizer material particle. The metal fuel particles exothermically react with the oxidizer material particle when the autoignition material is exposed to a temperature of about 80° C. to about 250° C. A thin binder film adheres the metal fuel particles to the oxidizer material particle and maintains the metal fuel particles in intimate contact with the oxidizer particle.

Abstract: Composite materials comprising at least 60 volume %, preferably 70 volume %, of particles of finely powdered filler material in a matrix of poly(arylene ether) polymer material are made by forming a mixture of the components, forming the required bodies therefrom, and then heating and pressing the bodies to a temperature sufficient to melt the polymer and to a pressure sufficient to disperse the melted polymer into the interstices between the filler particles. Surprisingly these polymer materials can only be effective as bonding materials when the solids content is as high as that specified, since with lower contents the resultant bodies are too friable. This is completely contrary to accepted prior art practice which considers that composites are progressivly weakened as the solids content is increased, so that such content must be limited.

Abstract: An oxidizer coated with inorganic particles is provided. A method for reducing the mechanical energy sensitivity of an oxidizer is also provided, which comprises coating the oxidizer with inorganic particles. Further, a combustible composition comprising the oxidizer coated with inorganic particles and a fuel as well as a gas generator comprising the oxidizer coated with inorganic particles and a fuel is provided.

Abstract: A data carrier, such as a memory disk, is provided with a pyrotechnic layer which can be ignited to destroy the data on the carrier. The pyrotechnic layer has an inert lining and can be triggered by a conventional electrical ignitor. The layer is based on a thermite mixture having an excess reducing agent.

Abstract: Composite materials comprising at least 60 volume %, preferably 70 volume %, of particles of finely powdered filler material in a matrix of poly(arylene ether) polymer material are made by forming a mixture of the components, forming the required bodies therefrom, and then heating and pressing the bodies to a temperature sufficient to melt the polymer and to a pressure sufficient to disperse the melted polymer into the interstices between the filler particles. Surprisingly these polymer materials can only be effective as bonding materials when the solids content is as high as that specified, since with lower contents the resultant bodies are too friable. This is completely contrary to accepted prior art practice which considers that composites are progressivly weakened as the solids content is increased, so that such content must be limited.

Abstract: Hydrogen generation system of the present invention are all demand systems that are operated to replenish hydrogen gas to a low pressure storage tank or vessel as hydrogen is drawn therefrom, providing a system that is suitable for use as a portable system. The invention employs electrical and mechanical arrangements that provide for opening an outer coating that has been formed over a reactive material, such as sodium, so as to expose that reactive material to water, generating hydrogen from a chemical reaction therebetween. The electrical system employs a bank of cells, with each cell electrically connected through a controller to a power source and contains a measured volume of a light salt and water solution and a sodium pellet that is coated with aluminum, or other appropriate metal, and provides for passing a current to a select cell to break down the pellet aluminum coating and expose the pellet reactive material to the water to generate hydrogen.

Abstract: A propellant grain composition for use in solid fuel rocket engines comprises a first reactant component consisting of an oxidizer. A polymeric barrier coating encapsulates the first reactant component and a second reactant component comprising a reducer fuel reactable with the oxidizer is coated thereon, A final polymeric coating is placed over the entire propellant grain to yield a unitary metal fuel-oxidizer propellant grain structure for use as a solid rocket fuel.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic grain or body of a gas generant having a consolidated or pressed-on, particulate inert burn inhibitor layer thereon. The inhibitor may be a metal oxide, metal sulfide, silica, silicate compound or mixtures thereof. The metal oxide is preferably iron oxide. The metal sulfide is preferably molybdenum disulfide. The preferred inhibitor is a silicate compound, most preferably bentonite. The inhibitor layer most preferably covers only one face or side of the generant body, though it may cover both faces or less than the entire area of one or both faces. The generant may be any conventional formulation which generates nitrogen-containing gas, preferably an azide, and most preferably sodium azide. The generant body may be any shape, preferably a washer-shaped disc. An automotive gas bag inflator may contain a plurality of the composite, inhibited generant bodies, preferably a stack or side by side assembly of such composite, inhibited wafers.

Abstract: A continuous process of manufacturing black powder and black powder substitute using a twin screw extruder is disclosed. Guar gum mixed with the composition at a concentration in the range from 0.05% to 0.5%, by weight, dramatically reduced the friction in the dies and permitted extrusion of the powder at much lower water levels. Different size dies used in combination with face cutting of the extruded strands produce various sized granules. The process can be operated remotely and automatically. The process reduces the number of buildings, equipment and personnel required to manufacture black powder or black powder substitute. The process produces more uniform and reproducible particle sizes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing free-flowing ammonium nitrate particles, applying an inorganic coating. The invention also comprises an anti-caking coating.

Abstract: A pyrophoric coating formed by leaching aluminum from an aluminide coated web in which the aluminide coating was formed on or into the web by an exothermic and diffusion reaction of a powder containing aluminum and chromium with or without a transition metal selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel or cobalt and in which the weight ratio of chromium to aluminum is at least 1:50 but no more than about 1:4.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing dense refractory products, comprising:(a) obtaining a quantity of exoergic material in powder form capable of sustaining a combustion synthesis reaction;(b) removing absorbed water vapor therefrom;(c) cold-pressing said material into a formed body;(d) plasma spraying said formed body with a molten exoergic material to form a coat thereon; and(e) igniting said exoergic coated formed body under an inert gas atmosphere and pressure to produce self-sustained combustion synthesis.Also disclosed are products produced by the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for stabilizing a detonable mixture of emulsion and AN or ANFO prills and to the resulting compositions. A surfactant is dissolved in a liquid organic fuel prior to adding the fuel to AN prills for forming ANFO prills, or if AN prills are used without added liquid organic fuel, the surfactant is added to the prills. The ANFO prills or AN prills containing a surfactant than are mixed with the emulsion.

Abstract: A gas generating grain has a water-based particulate booster coating thereon. The coating comprises an alkali metal azide, a water-soluble inorganic oxidizer in approximately a stoichiometric ratio of oxidizer to azide, and a nucleating amount of a small particle size metal oxide. The inorganic oxidizer is potassium perchlorate. A preferred metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of iron oxide, nickel oxide and aluminum oxide. The coating is applied to the grain from a water slurry and dried.

Abstract: The invention consists of a class of high energy explosive yield enhancers reated through the use of microencapsulation techniques. The microcapsules consist of combinations of highly reactive oxidizers that are encapsulated in either passivated inorganic fuels or inert materials and inorganic fuels. Depending on the application, the availability of the various oxidizers and fuels within the microcapsules can be customized to increase the explosive yield or modify other characteristics of high explosives. The microcapsules prevent premature reaction of the component oxidizers and inorganic fuel to allow their use in munitions and propellant applications. The physical stability of the microcapsules, in combination with epoxies, plastics, and composites, also permits microcapsules to be included in warhead structural components.

Abstract: An explosive composition comprising an explosive mixture of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil. The fuel oil is selected to provide an oil separation sufficiently low so that the explosive is detonatable. The fuel oil is also selected such that the viscosity of the explosive is sufficiently low so that the explosive may be loadable into a borehole. The explosive is substantially free of tackifying agents.

Abstract: A gas generating grain has a water-based particulate booster coating thereon. The coating comprises an alkali metal azide, a water-soluble inorganic oxidizer in approximately a stoichiometric proportion of oxidizer to azide, and a nucleating amount of a small particle size metal oxide, preferably selected from the group consisting of iron oxide, nickel oxide and aluminum oxide. The coating is applied to said grain from a water slurry and dried, and when dried has an average particle size of less than about 50 microns.

Abstract: A metal fuel for producing power for propulsion is disclosed. The fuel is made up of a metal core, a metal barrier and an oxidizer layer. The combination of materials disclosed provides a means for melting the metal core so that it can be oxidized in an exothermic reaction to produce power. The metal fuel may also be stabilized with respect to auto-ignition by adding a binder layer. A method for producing the metal fuel is also described herein.

Abstract: A multicomponent explosive composition and its use as a blasting agent in ditching operations and the like. The explosive comprises a fuel component and an oxidizer compnent, both of which are retained in the liquid state over wide temperature ranges and are stable over long storage intervals. The fuel component comprises a suspension of a particulate metal fuel, specifically aluminum, in a carrier liquid formed of a mixture of a water-miscible polyhydric alcohol and a pyrrolidone solvent. The carrier liquid contains a thickening agent to provide thixotropic rheological properties such that the particulate metal fuel remains in suspension at rest, but with shear forces induced by pumping, the components become more fluid for mixing and pumping easily. The oxidizer component comprises an aqueous solution of an inorganic oxidizer salt. The oxidizer solution contains void-containing materials such as glass or saran microbubbles. The void-containing materials may be suspended in the fuel component also.

Abstract: Aluminum-coated ammonium perchlorate is prepared in an apparatus consisting f a four-opening reaction flask (which serves as a vacuum chamber). The reaction flask is fitted with an electrically-heated tungsten helix coil (for vaporizing the aluminum), a mercury diffusion pump, a mechanical vacuum pump, a dry ice-acetone-cooled trap, and a McLeod pressure-measurement gage. The heater electrodes are submitted through two of the openings; reduced pressure operation is maintained through the third opening, and the aluminum is fed through the fourth opening. The reaction flask is operated at approximately 10 Torr. A magnetic stirrer permits the ammonium perchlorate to be vaporized onto the surface of the ammonium perchlorate after the melted aluminum on the tungsten helix coil is subsequently vaporized from the tungsten helix coil.

Abstract: Method for coating boron particles with a thin ceramic layer. The method provides for thermal decomposition of a hydrocarbon gas in the presence of the boron particles. The coated particles are useful in fuels, giving improved combustion in solid propellant and ramjet fuels.

Abstract: An ignition transfer medium for interconnecting the ignition and pyrotechnic stages of a pyrotechnic device comprises activated fibrous carbon, such as activated charcoal cloth, on which an inorganic oxidizer and possibly other substances have been deposited.

Abstract: Metals are made pyrophoric by diffusing aluminum or zinc into them and then leaching it out, or by reacting with aluminum and then leaching aluminum out. Powdered aluminum and powdered nickel, iron or cobalt, can thus be carried on an elongated support web and reacted by heating for a few seconds to a few minutes, after which leaching will provide elongated pyrophoric foil suitable for decoying heat-seeking missile.

Abstract: Very good masking of pack diffusion aluminizing or chromizing on any metal to keep portions from being diffusion coated is effected by localized coating of masking powder, the metal portion of which can have some composition as substrates. Chromizing can be performed before aluminizing for greater effects. Aluminizing of metals like iron and nickel followed by leaching out much of the diffused-in aluminum gives these substrates a pyrophoric and catalytic surface. Foil, wire or powder can be thus activated; very fine activated powder when discharged into the air forms a warm cloud that settles very slowly and decoys heat-seeking missiles.

Abstract: Pyrophoric preparations made of crushable open-celled metal skeleton such as honeycomb, metal foam or expanded twisted foil, filled with pyrophoric powder, so that when crushed to make a compact disc the metal skeleton is deformed and helps lock the powder particles in place.

Abstract: Structure for generating nitrogen gas for inflating an air bag vehicle occupant resistant comprises a grain made of an azide based material which generates gas upon combustion. The grain has an ignition enhancing coating thereon consisting essentially of 30 to 50% by weight of an alkali metal azide, 40 to 60% by weight of sodium nitrate or potassium perchlorate, 5 to 15% by weight of boron, and 1 to 15% by weight of sodium silicate. The coating may also include 1 to 6% by weight of graphite fibers as a roughening agent.

Abstract: Heating or heat generation in general can be from activated aluminides of molybdenum, zirconium or other similar ignitible metals. Activation is by leaching out some of the aluminum and leaves a product which is highly pyrotechnic but not pyrophoric. Activation of such alloy renders activated surface porous so it car receive impregnants such as lubricants to thus act as a bearing. Pyrotechnic webs for use as decoys against heat-seeking missiles can be folded so that portions interfere with the free radiation of other portions, to thus extend the time the webs remain at high temperature. The folding also improves the trajectory through which the webs fall when discharged into the air. The web can be coated with a thin layer of powdered silica, alumina or zirconia to increase the proportion of its radiation in the 8 to 14 micron range.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flat form from blended metallic powder including a major constituent by weight having a high melting point and a minor constituent by weiht having a substantially lower melting point includes selection of the powder to provide continuous and reproducible compacted flat forms. Powder is selected on the basis of compressibility and flowability. The selected powder is compacted to a flat green form and then liquid phase sintered. The flat form may be stacked to provide a flat article of a desired thickness which will result in a monolithic or composite cross section when subsequently sintered. Liquid phase sintering is carried out in a manner designed to avoid undesirable embrittlement and to provide a uniform microstructure in the fully consolidated article. The process is especially useful in the production of tungsten heavy alloy plate.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic composition for producing a screen for blocking the passage of infra-red radiation and of light, comprises phosphorus, preferably red amorphous phosphorus, dispersed in a binding agent, for example rubber. The composition is produced by forming the binding agent into a gel with solvent, dispersing the phosphorus into the gel, evaporating off solvent, and comminuting the resulting solid material.

Abstract: Metals like iron and nickel are pyrophorically activated by continuous or batch treatment. Activated metal can be coated with material that increases, or tempers by partial blocking, pyrophoric action. Pyrophoric powder can be compacted with ignitable powders or fibers to produce self-supporting bodies having different degrees of pyrophoric activity.