Abstract: A novel gas generant is formed by integrating an additive or compound selected from polymeric compounds, long-chain hydrocarbons, long-chain fluorocarbons, and paraffinic compounds in or about the gas generant. A gas generating composition is formed in a typical manner, and the additive may be either homogeneously mixed within the gas generating composition, or, it may simply be coated over the gas generant.

Abstract: A low-solids gas generating composition and a method of producing a gas. The gas is produced by combusting a mixture of a fuel selected from the group consisting of guanidine nitrate, nitroguanidine, cellulose, cellulose acetate, hexamine, 5 amino-tetrazole, 5 nitro-uracil, guanidine salt of 5 nitro-uracil, and mixtures thereof, an oxidizer selected from the group consisting of ceric ammonium nitrate, strontium nitrate, basic copper nitrate, a mixture of ammonium perchlorate and at least one alkali metal salt, and mixtures thereof, and a cupric oxalate hemi-hydrate coolant. The oxidizer-fuel mixture is within about 4 percent of stoichiometric balance, and the low-solids gas generating composition produces no more than about 0.082 cubic centimeters of solids per gram of gas generating composition on combustion.

Abstract: A dual explosive charge is described that simultaneously enhances blast and fragmentation characteristics of the charge, including an inner driven charge of a non-ideal explosive surrounded by an outer charge sleeve of a more nearly ideal explosive, detonation of the outer charge resulting in an extremely high temperature, high pressure environment that accelerates reaction kinetics in the inner charge, resulting in enhanced blast and fragmentation performance of the explosive charge.

Abstract: Propellant formulations are provided which include non-toxic burn rate modifiers. In order to produce a usable propellant formulation, it is necessary to control the burn rate of the propellant. Failure to adequately control the propellant burn rate often results in unacceptable performance of the propellant. For example, during the operation of a rocket motor, or similar device which contains a propellant, the propellant may produce operating pressures which are too high or too low for the intended purpose of the device.It has often been the practice to add lead to rocket motor propellants in order to modify the burn rate and to maintain the burn rate within acceptable parameters. Lead, however, is known to be toxic and a pollutant. Accordingly, it is desirable to replace the lead in the formulation. It has been found herein that bismuth trioxide is capable of modifying the burn rate of propellants without resorting to lead as a burn rate additive.

Abstract: Thermostability, age stability, and ignition property at low temperatures of a W/O type emulsion explosive are remarkably improved by incorporating a chelating agent in the W/O type emulsion explosive.

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 process of making mixed, stable explosives from emulsions, the resulting omposite having a greater degree of energy available for release.

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 water-in-oil emulsion explosive comprising 1 to 10% by weight of a continous phase of a petroleum wax having a melting point of 160.degree. F. or more and containing 30% by weight or more of a urea-non-adduct component, 50 to 95% by weight of a discontinuous phase of an aqueous oxidizer solution containing ammonium nitrate as a major component, and 0.5 to 7% by weight of an emulsifier of an organic surface active agent wherein an unsaturated long-chain aliphatic acid constitutes a hydrophobic group.

Abstract: Emulsion explosive sensitive to a detonator, which can be initiated with a conventional detonator no. 8, of water-in-oil-emulsion type containing sensitizers which, as opposed to types known previously, here comprise aromatic nitro-compounds, in which emulsion the organic phase consists primarily of the aromatic nitro-compounds and the water phase consists primarily of a water solution of inorganic oxidizing salts and in which emulsion emulsifier is also included; detonation stabilizers in the form of particles with enclosed or adsorbed gas ("hot spots"); additional fuels such as aluminium, urea, etc.; optional stabilizers for the organic phase and for the water phase; and possibly an agent to lower the crystallization point.

Abstract: Water-in-oil explosive compositions containing perchlorates and occluded air are provided which are detonable by a standard No. 8 blasting cap and which contain from about 14 to about 20 weight percent water, from about 3 to about 7 weight percent fuel, from about 56 to about 63 weight percent ammonium nitrate, from about 2 to about 12 weight percent of another inorganic nitrate, and from about 3 to about 12 weight percent of an inorganic perchlorate. The fuel material further comprises from about 0.5 to about 1.5% of a water-in-oil emulsifier, from 0 to about 1% oil, and at least 2% wax, based upon the weight of the emulsion.

Abstract: Water-in-oil explosive compositions having no sensitizer other than occluded air are provided which are detonable by a standard No. 8 blasting cap and which contain from about 14 to about 17 weight percent water and from about 3 to about 7 weight percent fuel, with the remaining portion comprising inorganic nitrates. The fuel material further comprises from about 0.5% to about 1.5% of a water-in-oil emulsifier, from 0 to about 1% oil, and at least about 2% wax, based upon the weight of the emulsion.

Abstract: This invention relates to stabile blasting slurry systems useful particularly with the latest blasting slurry trucks, involving the preparation of particular new fuel liquids mixed with particular oxidizer liquids and including in most embodiments solid oxidizers and solid fuels.