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: 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 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: 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: A free-flowing granular explosive comprising of an oxidizing salt, fuel, a hydrophilic thickener and a hydrophobic compound. Upon water impingement the hydrophobic compound repels water from the surface of the oxidizing salt while the hydrophilic thickener simultaneously forms a water-resistant barrier.

Abstract: A dry non-explosive additive for ammonium nitrate-fuel oil (ANFO) blasting agents which provides water resistance and wet sensitivity to allow use of the explosive in wet drill holes. The additive contains gelling agents that rapidly hydrate and swell upon water impingement, and thereafter cross-link to rapidly form a peripheral water-blocking barrier to prevent further water intrusion into a loaded blasting agent mass. The additive additionally contains hydrophobic sensitizers and optional fuels to provide points of adiabatic compression and physically hinder water incursion. When the additive is mixed with ANFO, the resulting blasting agent retains its dry and free pouring characteristics and has enhanced explosive properties over untreated ANFO. While ANFO may not detonate in wet conditions unless protected from water, when admixed with our additive it retains its explosive characteristics and detonation potential after placement in wet environs, to function well either wet or dry.

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: The pyrotechnic device comprises a projectile, a ground mounted device or a floating device whose casing contains a charge of titanium or other suitable combustible metal-containing material, charcoal, or other reducing agent and gunpowder such that, following ignition, infra-red emitting particles are emitted to form an infra-red radiating screen. The carbon reduces oxidation of the combustible material prior to emission.

Abstract: The pyrotechnic device comprises a projectile, a ground mounted device or a floating device whose casing contains a charge of particulate material, for example a combustible silicon-containing material in particular mixed with titanium or other suitable combustible metal-containing material and gunpowder such that, following ignition, infra-red emitting particles are emitted for forming an infra-red radiating screen.

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: 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: In accordance with the present invention there are provided gas generating compositions comprising sodium azide, silicon dioxide, potassium nitrate, molybdenum disulfide and sulfur.

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: 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 for making a water-in-oil emulsion type explosive composition is disclosed. The method 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 and incorporating dispersed gas bubbles into the resulting emulsion. One of the ingredients A or B is added before or during agitation and the remaining ingredient is added during agitation. Ingredient A is oleic acid and/or linoleic acid. Ingredient B is an ammonium or alkali metal phosphate or carbonate.

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: 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: A fuel in the form of a powder which is used for combustion engines, and including a process whereby the fuel is made; the fuel including charcoal, hard coal, grain chaff, gun powder, alcohol and water, while the process confines the temperatures at which the process is conducted.

Abstract: A method of continuously processing meal black powder in order to make it suitable for use in fuses, wherein a conventionally produced meal black powder is blended with about 20 % of water; said moist black powder is compressed to a coherent body in the form of sheets; said sheets are rubbed through a sieve; said sieved powder is agglomerated into spherical grains; said grains are dried to a moisture content of about 1 % and are sieved in order to provide a fraction having a grain size in the range of 0.3 and 1.0 mm.

Abstract: A method for the production of mealy crude black powder from components consisting essentially of potassium nitrate, sulfur and carbon, all in particle form, comprises the steps of placing each component in a storage container, continuously withdrawing said components individually from said storage containers in the determined proportions, continuously feeding said separate components as particles into a circular oscillating cylindrical grinding zone consisting of at least two grinding zones rigidly interconnected and containing grinding elements, whereby said component particles are ground and mixed with each other with agglomeration of the individual component particles, and continuously withdrawing said mealy crude black powder. This mealy crude black powder is then compressed and granulated, followed optionally by further treatment such as polishing and graphitizing or grinding.