Abstract: The pyrotechnic smoke kit for generating a smoke screen comprises a mixture of a light-metal powder as the metallic reduction agent; potassium nitrate and, optionally, potassium perchlorate as the main oxidation agent; at least one carbonate as an additional auxiliary oxidation agent; substances splitting off nitrogen as combustion moderators and at least one sublimable and/or evaporable non-toxic smoke-forming substance. A stabilizer from the group of aliphatic and/or aromatic dicarboxylic acids is added to the mixture of the smoke kit to stabilize the smoke kit. Due to this, the formation of gaseous ammonia in the smoke kit can be prevented.

Abstract: An inflator 10 is provided whereby the interstitial cavities found within the inflator 10 are packed with one or more decomposition additives 26 that decompose in the presence of heat. As such, the decomposition additives 26 fluidly and/or conductively communicate with the hot gases generated upon activation of the inflator 10. As the decomposition additive 26 decomposes, heat may be mitigated while resultant gaseous decomposition products are liberated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas generant composition that has a high ignitability and combustibility and is capable of quickly responding to an electrical signal for starting combustion, and particularly to a gas generant composition comprising a nitrogen-containing organic compound as a fuel component (A), a metal nitrate and/or a basic metal nitrate (B-1) and a perchlorate (B-2) having a 50 percent particle diameter from 1 to 50 ?m as an oxidant component (B), the content of the perchlorate (B-2) in the total mass of the oxidant component (B) is 5 mass percent or more and less than 35 mass percent.

Abstract: Sulfur-free and carbon-free, white propellant compositions for use as a blackpowder substitute in firearms, munitions, and pyrotechnics to form combustion byproducts that are water soluble and are free of corrosive sulfur compounds and black carbon residues. Formulations include a fuel agent selected from the group consisting of sodium benzoate, lactose, sodium salicylate, sodium m-nitrobenzoate, and mixtures thereof. The fuel agent is combined with dextrin, potassium nitrate, potassium perchlorate, and tricalcium phosphate. Dicyanodiamide may be incorporated in the formulation as a burn rate modifier.

Abstract: A gas generating system devoid of a booster chamber. The inflator includes a composition having a metal chlorate as a first oxidizer, a primary fuel selected from carboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and mixtures thereof, and a second oxidizer not having perchlorate character. The metal chlorate is provided at about 10-20 wt %, the primary fuel is provided at about 15-45 wt %, and the second oxidizer is provided at about 30-50 wt % stated by weight of the total composition.

Abstract: The pyrotechnic smoke kit for generating a smoke screen comprises a mixture of a light-metal powder as the metallic reduction agent; potassium nitrate and, optionally, potassium perchlorate as the main oxidation agent; at least one carbonate as an additional auxiliary oxidation agent; substances splitting off nitrogen as combustion moderators and at least one sublimable and/or evaporable non-toxic smoke-forming substance. A stabilizer from the group of aliphatic and/or aromatic dicarboxylic acids is added to the mixture of the smoke kit to stabilize the smoke kit. Due to this, the formation of gaseous ammonia in the smoke kit can be prevented.

Abstract: The present invention includes a gas generator 10 that incorporates a gas generating composition 12 and a scavenging additive 16 in heterogeneous but vapor/gaseous communication with the gas generating composition 12. The scavenging additive retains moisture/contaminants typically evolving over time at relatively higher temperatures. The present invention further includes a gas generating system 180 incorporating the gas generator 10.

Abstract: The invention relates to a primer composition, to a method for producing the same and to the use of said primer composition.

Abstract: Fire-fighting equipment utilizes a fire-extinguishing aerosol that is formed during burning of pyrotechnical composite. A pyrotechnical, aerosol-forming fire-extinguishing composite is formed with good deformation strength characteristics, low fire-extinguishing concentration and regulated burning velocity. The pyrotechnical aerosol-forming fire-extinguishing composite contains an oxidizer, a production process additive and burning binder formed by thermoplastic formaldehyde and phenol polycondensate, plasticized by dicarboxylic acid ester and reinforced by polytetrafluoroethylene. The composite is produced by mixing of formaldehyde and phenol polycondensate suspension in an organic solvent and polytetrafluoroethylene dispersion in dicarboxylic acid ester, mixing the resulting composition with an oxidizer and a production process additive with subsequent thermomechanical effect.

Abstract: Solid gas generant compositions produce low particulates (e.g., condensed ash) when ignited. The solid gas generant compositions most preferably include a nitramine, at least one oxidizer selected from nitrates of strontium or cerium, in admixture with or without potassium perchlorate, and a binder. Graphite may optionally be employed. The gas generant compositions are usefully employed in inflatable vehicle occupant passive restraint systems (e.g., air bag systems).

Abstract: A solid composition for generating gases when ignited is a combination 5-aminotetrazole and at least two oxidizers selected from the group consisting of potassium nitrate, potassium per-chlorate, ferric oxide, copper oxide and manganese dioxide.

Abstract: The solvent-free gas generant composition of this invention, comprising an oxidizer and a thermosettable resin, cures in about an hour or less at room temperature and within 5 minutes at 135.degree. F. Void-free and crack-free gas generant grains are formed and cured in an extrusion process in which the temperature may be from about room temperature to about 200.degree. F. The thermosettable resin is at least one of the group consisting of an acrylate-terminated polybutadiene, a hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene/diisocyanate reaction product, an ester of a polybutadiene polycarboxylic acid and an epoxy modified polybutadiene and/or a hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene, and a styrene/polyester copolymer.

Abstract: A nitrogen gas-generating composition for use in airbags is prepared from an alkali metal azide and a heavy metal sulfide. The gas-generation is initiated by ignition of the composition and results in low residues of solid particulate material.

Abstract: A gas generant composition adapted for use with airbag restraint systems containing aluminum components includes a fuel which is a tetrazole or a triazole, an oxidizer which is an ammonium, alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal salt of a chlorate, perchlorate or nitrate, alumina and a binder.

Abstract: A solid composition for generating a nitrogen containing gas is provided. The composition includes an oxidizer and a 5-aminotetrazole fuel selected from anhydrous 5-aminotetrazole derivatives, salts, complexes, and mixtures thereof. The salts and complexes are generally metal salts and complexes. The metal can be a transition metal. Metals that have been found to be particularly useful include copper, boron, cobalt, zinc, potassium, sodium, and strontium. The oxidizer is generally a metal oxide or a metal hydroxide. The composition can include certain other components such as secondary oxidizers, burn rate modifiers, slag formers, and binders.

Abstract: A gas generant composition devoid of azides which yields solid combustion products which are easily filtered rendering the gases useful for inflating automobile occupant restraint bags.

Abstract: A physically stable emulsion explosive composition consisting of a dispersed phase and a continuous phase, wherein the dispersed phase consists essentially of at least one oxidizing compound and at least one fuel compound, and wherein the continuous phase consists essentially of a polyacrylate resin.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic mixture for producing a smoke screen includes a reduction agent comprising a light metal, at least one oxidation agent comprising potassium nitrate, combustion moderators including at least one carbonate and a nitrogen producing compound and at least one sublimable or evaporatable, smoke generating, nontoxic additive.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing a composition comprising solid particulate ammonium nitrate having improved explosive properties.Explosive compositions comprising particulate ammonium nitrate such as ANFO, which is a mixture of particulate ammonium nitrate and about 6% w/w of a fuel oil which is typically distillate oil, have been known for many years as relatively inexpensive and reliable explosives.Despite the wide acceptance of particulate ammonium nitrate based exposlives in the industry, their use has been limited by their relatively poor performance in wet conditions; in such conditions, explosive power can be seriously reduced, and they can be difficult to detonate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new explosive compound which is an associated compound of ammonium nitrate and glycine and also includes explosive composition containing this compound.The compound ANGC is prepared by a crystallization process preferably effected by cooling a melt or saturated solution containing ammonium nitrate and glycine.ANGC is especially advantageous as an ingredient of low water content emulsion explosive compositions.

Abstract: This invention provides a solid explosive composition comprising a low-water content melt-in-fuel emulsion when prepared at elevated temperature which solidifies on cooling. The emulsion comprises a continuous phase containing water immiscible fuel and emulsifier and a discontinuous phase containing oxidizer salt. A particulate material effective as a nucleating agent is incorporated in the composition to reduce supercooling of the discontinuous phase and to accelerate crystallization of the oxidizer salt.The particulate nucleating agent is preferably colloidal solid particles for example silica or an insoluble salt of aluminium, calcium or barium, which salt may optionally be formed in situ by a double decomposition reaction.The presence of the nucleating agent to accelerate crystallization of the oxidizer enhances the proportion of discrete droplets which remain totally encapsulated in the solidified composition and enables solid products to be obtained from relatively low melting oxidizer salts melts.

Abstract: A matrix material to be added to a standard ammonium nitrate-fuel oil dry explosive to form an economical slurry explosive having excellent water resistant properties includes an oxidizer solution chosen from the group of an aqueous sodium perchlorate solution, an aqueous ammonium perchlorate solution, an aqueous calcium nitrate solution, or a combination thereof, along with a fuel such as ethylene glycol or fuel oil and a thickening agent such as a guar gum in combination with an acid such as glacial acetic acid. The oxidizer solution generally makes up about 94%-97% by weight of the matrix. The slurry explosive is made by mixing the matrix with a standard ammonium nitrate-fuel oil dry explosive and then adding a cross linker to the mixture so that it forms a gel. The matrix may make up between about 14% to 40% by weight of the explosive, and preferably makes up about 20% by weight.

Abstract: Method of stabilizing an emulsion explosive comprising an oxidant, a fuel, and an emulsifier the molecules of which have at least one double-binding. The oxidant is emulsified in the fuel in the presence of the emulsifier, and a polymerizing reaction is effected after the emulsification to bind the molecules of the emulsifier chemically to each other.

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: 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 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 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: 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: Solid water-in-oil emulsion explosive compositions comprising a discontinuous emulsion phase formed of an aqueous solution of an oxidizer salt and a continuous emulsion phase formed of a solid carbonaceous fuel derived from an oleaginous liquid. The continuous phase provides a self-sustaining matrix. A solid non-hygroscopic oxidizer salt, such as ammonium perchlorate, is dispersed in the emulsion in a solid granular form. Void cells are also dispersed within the emulsion to provide a void volume of at least 5%. The explosive compositions may be formulated to be sensitive to No. 8 blasting caps. Processes for forming the explosive compositions include the use of an oleaginous liquid of a polyester and styrene monomer mixture, which is emulsified with an aqueous solution of oxidizer salt without the addition of an emulsifying agent. The explosive composition may be formed as a unitary product or transformed into granular particulate form.

Abstract: Method of maximizing stability and minimizing production of toxic fumes as explosion by-products by utilizing a moisture resistant blasting composition and said composition, comprising an invert emulsion component having, as the continuous external organic phase thereof, a partial ester of a 2-12 carbon polyhydric alcohol and a tall oil fatty acid, said explosive composition being capable of utilizing sufficient solid oxygen-supplying salt to obtain an Oxygen Balance of about zero without substantial loss of sensitivity.

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: A method of enhancing the combustion of solid fuel/water slurries by the addition of about 100 to 5,000 ppm of a stable water-soluble explosive, which will detonate early in the combustion process, thereby producing a secondary dispersion of fuel particles, and an 80-65% coal/20-35% water composition suitable for secondary dispersion during combustion containing about 100-5,000 ppm of a water-soluble explosive, preferably selected from at least one member of a group consisting of picric acid; alkali picrates, such as ammonium picrate, sodium picrate, potassium picrate, calcium picrate, etc., and heavy metal picrates, such as iron picrate, lead picrate, zinc picrate, etc.; guanidine and nitroguanidine. The addition of the explosive may be made to the water of make up of the slurry or may be added to the formed slurry.

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: The present invention relates to improved blasting agents. More particularly, the invention relates to a water-in-oil emulsion blasting agent containing sodium nitrate (SN) in an amount of from about 40% to about 70% by weight of the total composition. The water-in-oil emulsion blasting agents of this invention have a water-immiscible liquid organic fuel as a continuous phase; an emulsified aqueous inorganic oxidizer salt solution as a discontinuous phase; particulate inorganic oxidizer salt; an emulsifier; and optionally a density reducing agent. Preferably the blasting agents contain from about 10% to about 40% ammonium nitrate (AN) in addition to SN.

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 water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition having excellent storage stability, low-temperature detonability and explosion reactivity is disclosed, which comprises (a) a disperse phase formed of an inorganic nitrate consisting mainly of ammonium nitrate, (b) a continuous phase formed of an oil, (c) an emulsifier, (d) hollow microspheres and/or a chemical foaming agent, and (e) an inorganic chlorate.

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: Self-supporting water-bearing explosive products, e.g., for use as primers and in blasting and seismic charges, contain discrete cells of an aqueous solution of an inorganic oxidizing salt and/or of an amine salt encapsulated by a crosslinked (thermoset) resin matrix. The products are sensitized by a dispersed solid high explosive and/or gas bubbles or voids. Preferred primers are sensitized by PETN and are rigid. The products are made by crosslinking a liquid polymer in the continuous phase of an emulsion which contains the aqueous solution as a discontinuous phase.

Abstract: A two component, high temperature, thermally stable explosive composition comprises a liquid or low melting oxidizer and a liquid or low melting organic fuel. The oxidizer and fuel in admixture are incapable of substantial spontaneous exothermic reaction at temperatures on the order of 475.degree. K. At temperatures on the order of 475.degree. K., the oxidizer and fuel in admixture have an activation energy of at least about 40 kcal/mol. As a result of the high activation energy, the preferred explosive compositions are nondetonable as solids at ambient temperature, and become detonable only when heated beyond the melting point. Preferable oxidizers are selected from alkali or alkaline earth metal nitrates, nitrites, perchlorates, and/or mixtures thereof. Preferred fuels are organic compounds having polar hydrophilic groups. The most preferred fuels are guanidinium nitrate, acetamide and mixtures of the two.

Abstract: A water-gel explosive comprising ammonium nitrate alone or in admixture with other inorganic oxidized acid salt, water, nitroparaffin having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, a gelatinizing agent for water, a gelatinizing agent for nitroparaffin, glass hollow microspheres and an amide has a high initiation sensitivity even at low temperature.

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: This invention describes a method of preparation of sensitized dry blasting agents comprising a mixture of granular/powder ammonium nitrate with or without Sodium Nitrate, Potassium Nitrate, Calcium Nitrate, etc. fuel(s), and at least one sensitizer. The aid sensitizer is selected from the group comprising nitrate, chlorate, perchlorate and an organic derivative of a metal, which can exhibit variable valency and whose oxides and hydroxides are weakly basic in nature, e.g., iron, cobalt, nickel, chromium, copper, lead, etc.Unlike the dry blasting agents known in prior art, the sensitized dry blasting agents can be detonated in small diameter boreholes with a generally available low strength detonator or specially made powerful detonator.