Abstract: A gas-generating composition of matter which burns to produce a non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-flammable combustion product. The composition comprises:A. plasticized polyvinyl chloride fuel binder; andB. certain inorganic oxidizer salts; andC. lithium carbonate;The oxidizer is present in an amount at least sufficient to convert all available carbon to carbon dioxide and to convert all available hydrogen to water and to fully oxidize all available alkaline earth metals.The lithium carbonate is present in an amount at least sufficient to convert all available halogen to lithium halide.The composition is useful to generate gas in a vehicle occupant restraint system.

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 dry mix explosive composition wherein a binding or holding agent is provided to hold the parts thereof together in a straightforward and efficient manner, in order to avoid segregation of the parts such as during mixing, placement and the like. The dry mix explosive composition includes oxidiser, fuel and bulking agent, and further includes a binder in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion which acts to hold the parts of said composition together during mixing, placement and the like.

Abstract: Composition and process for inflating an automobile or aircraft safety crash bag comprising igniting at elevated pressure a pyrotechnic material comprising at least one tetrazole or triazole compound containing hydrogen in the molecule, at least one oxygen containing oxidizer compound, and at least one metal oxide to generate a gas which is admixed with air by means of an aspirating venturi and thereafter utilized to inflate the crash bag.

Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition having a void-providing agent consisting of expanded perlite is provided. The water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition comprising a continuous phase of carbonaceous fuel, an emulsifier, a dispersed phase of an aqueous solution of inorgnaic oxidizer, and expanded perlite having a density of less than 0.60 g/cc and preferably of from about 0.23 g/cc to about 0.45 g/cc.

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: Water-in-oil emulsion explosive compositions have improved detonation properties, stability and lower viscosity. Bis (alkanolamine or polyol) amide and/or ester derivatives of bis-carboxylated or anhydride derivatized addition polymers are used as the emulsifier. For example, alkanolamine reacted (2:1 ratio) with polyisobutenyl succinic anhydride is found superior to the corresponding 1:1 derivative.

Abstract: Emulsifiers are disclosed which comprise the reaction product of component (I) with component (II). Component (I) comprises the reaction product of certain carboxylic acids or anhydrides, or ester or amide derivatives thereof, with ammonia, at least one amine, at least one alkali and/or at least one alkaline-earth metal. Component (II) comprises certain phosphorous-containing acids; or metal salts of said phosphorous-containing acids, the metals being selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, strontium, chromium, manganese, iron, molybdenum, cobalt, nickel, copper, silver zinc, cadmium, aluminum, tin, lead, and mixtures of two or more thereof. These emulsifiers are useful in water-in-oil explosive emulsions.

Abstract: An excellent water in oil type emulsion explosive having both of a superior handling property and a good aging initiating sensitivity at low temperatures and at small calibers, is provided by using a specific low molecular weight polyethylene as the carbonaceous fuel in the emulsion explosive.

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: A method of making a ferric oxide burning rate catalyst that results in a highly active, finely divided burning rate enhancing catalyst. An iron-containing compound that is capable of vaporization at a temperature below about 500.degree. C. is vaporized. A mixture comprising the vaporized iron-containing compound is combusted with a gas that is capable of supporting combustion in an oxygen environment and does not condense below about 100.degree. C. The ferric oxide burning rate catalyst made by this process is particulary adapted for use in a composite solid rocket propellant. This process provides an ultra pure, highly active, finely divided burning rate catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an explosive composition comprising a discontinuous oxidizer phase comprising at least one oxygen-supplying component, a continuous organic phase comprising at least carbonaceous fuel, and an emulsifying amount of (A) at least one salt composition derived from (A) (I) at least one high-molecular weight hydrocarbyl-substituted carboxylic acid or anhydride, or ester or amide derivative of said acid or anhydride, the hydrocarbyl substituent of (A) (I) having an average of from about 20 to about 500 carbon atoms, and (A) (II) ammonia, at least one amine, at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal, and/or at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal compound; and (B) at least one salt composition derived from (B) (I) at least one low-molecular weight hydrocarbyl-substituted carboxylic acid or anhydride, or ester or amide derivative of said acid or anhydride, the hydrocarbyl substituent of (B) (I) having an average of from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and (B) (II) ammonia, at

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: 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) ammonia, at least one amine, at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal, and/or at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal compound; 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: Salt compositions are disclosed which comprise: (A) at least one salt moiety derived from (A)(I) at least one high-molecular weight polycarboxylic acylating agent, said acylating agent (A)(I) having at least one hydrocarbyl substituent having an average of from about 20 to about 500 carbon atoms, and (A)(II) ammonia, at least one amine, at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal, and/or at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal compound; (B) at least one salt moiety derived from (B)(I) at least one low-molecular weight polycarboxylic acylating agent, said acylating agent (B)(I) optionally having at least one hydrocarbyl substituent having an average of up to about 18 carbon atoms, and (B)(II) ammonia, at least one amine, at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal, and/or at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal compound; said components (A) and (B) being coupled together by (C) at least one compound having (i) two or more primary amino groups, (ii) two or more secondary amino groups, (iii) at least one

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved explosive composition. More particularly, the invention relates to a water-in-oil emulsion explosive having improved stability and a lower viscosity. The term "water-in-oil" means a dispersion of droplets of an aqueous solution or water-miscible melt (the discontinuous phase) in an oil or water-immiscible organic substance (the continuous phase). The term "explosive" means both cap-sensitive explosives and noncap-sensitive explosives commonly referred to as blasting agents. The water-in-oil emulsion explosives of this invention contain a water-immiscible organic fuel as the continuous phase and an emulsified inorganic oxidizer salt solution or melt as the discontinuous phase. (The terms "solution" or "melt" hereafter shall be used interchangeably.) These oxidizer and fuel phases react with one another upon initiation by a blasting cap and/or a booster to produce an effective detonation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water-in-oil emulsion explosive comprising a water-immiscible organic fuel as a continuous phase; an emulsified aqueous inorganic oxidizer salt solution as a discontinuous phase; and a phenolic derivative of polypropene or polybutene as an emulsifier.

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: An improved explosive composition and a method for making the composition are disclosed. The explosive composition is prepared by first formulating a gel concentrate that comprises a mixture of a sensitizer, such as hexamethylenetetramine or hexamethylenetetraminemononitrate and an oxidizer, such as ammonium nitrate in water and a gelling agent. Mixtures of sensitizers or mixtures of oxidizers can also be used in our invention. This gelled concentrate can be prepared, stored and later utilized to form the explosive composition by combining from 5 to 60 parts by weight of the gelled concentrate with from 95 to 40 parts by weight of a particulate oxidizer, such as ammonium nitrate or an ammonium nitrate-fuel oil composition. The resulting explosive compositions have increased densities and hence a significantly higher energy per unit volume.

Abstract: In emulsion blend explosives, the replacement of coarse salt particles, e.g., prills, by fines, i.e., particles which pass a No. 50 U.S. sieve, increases the water resistance of the explosive without deleteriously affecting its shelf life provided that the explosive, prior to such replacement, is storage-stable as determined by the Salt Extraction and lead compression tests described herein. Products containing a combination of whole and crushed ammonium nitrate prills, and emulsions made with an anionic emulsifying agent such as a fatty acid salt, are preferred. Depending on the fines content and chemical composition, other properties such as sensitivity to initiation and detonation velocity also may be improved.

Abstract: An emulsion explosive comprising substantially an immiscible discontinuous oxidizer-phase dispersed throughout a continuous fuel phase with a modifier comprising hydrophilic and lipophilic moieties wherein the hydrophilic moiety comprises a carboxylic acid group or a group capable of hydrolyzing to a carboxylic acid, the lipophilic moiety is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain, and wherein the emulsion composition pH is above 4.5.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are water-in-oil type emulsion explosives comprising an aqueous solution of oxidizing agent, an oily material, hollow microspheres and an emulsifier containing from 0.1 to 10% by weight of fatty acid, from 0.1 to 10% by weight of fatty acid soap and from 80 to 99.8% by weight of a fatty acid ester mixture comprising from 0 to 3% by weight of sorbide fatty acid ester, from 5 to 50% by weight of sorbitan fatty acid ester and from 50 to 95% by weight of sorbitol fatty acid ester.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of compound pyrotechnic products.The invention relates to a three-step, solvent-free process for the manufacture of compound pyrotechnic products containing a thermosetting binder obtained by reaction of a polyhydroxylated prepolymer with a diisocyanate, which process is characterized in that:in a first step the said prepolymer is mixed with an energetic charge and with a quantity of diisocyanate representing 50 to 90% of the required stoichiometric quantity,in a second step the remainder required to attain the said stoichiometric quantity is added and, after mixing, the pasty mixture thus obtained is extruded,in a third step the crosslinking of the thermosetting binder is completed hot.The invention makes it possible to obtain industrially, by extrusion, small-diameter pyrotechnic products containing a thermosetting binder without restriction on the "pot life" period. The invention is particularly suitable for the production of compound propellent powders for arms.

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: Essentially anhydrous energetic compositions, including explosives, propellants, flares, and gas generators, are initially formed at process temperatures above the solidification temperature of contained oxidizer salts as stable, melt-in-fuel emulsions having a continuous fuel phase and a discontinuous molten oxidizer phase. Surfactants are employed which cause the compositions to retain general fuel phase continuity and oxidizer phase discontinuity upon solidification. The final product is a firm or solid emulsion generally characterized by an intimate dispersion of discrete solid oxidizer cells in a fuel continuum, the product having excellent storage stability and water resistance.

Abstract: In emulsion blend explosives, the replacement of coarse salt particles, e.g., prills, by fines, i.e., particles which pass a No. 50 U.S. sieve, increases the water resistance of the explosive without deleteriously affecting its shelf life provided that the explosive, prior to such replacement, is storage-stable as determined by the Salt Extraction and lead compression tests described herein. Products containing a combination of whole and crushed ammonium nitrate prills, and emulsions made with an anionic emulsifying agent such as a fatty acid salt, are preferred. Depending on the fines content and chemical composition, other properties such as sensitivity to initiation and detonation velocity also may be improved.

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: This invention relates to an explosive. In particular, the invention relates to an explosive of the emulsion type in which an oxidizing salt-containing component forms the discontinuous phase in an emulsion wherein the continuous phase comprises a fuel component which is immiscible with the discontinuous phase.

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 gas bubble sensitized water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition comprising a discontinuous aqueous phase comprising at least one oxygen-releasing salt, a continuous water-immiscible organic phase, a discontinuous gaseous phase, a water-in-oil emulsifying agent and at least one agent capable of facilitating the production of gas bubbles in the presence of said water-immiscible organic phase.

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: 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: The invention relates to a cast explosive composition having a high density, energy and critical diameter and comprising inorganic oxidizer salt consisting primarily of ammonium nitrate, a water-immiscible organic liquid fuel, less than about 5% water, 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: Disclosed herein is an explosive of a water-in-oil emulsion type including an aqueous oxidizer solution, an oily material, an emulsifier and hollow microspheres, wherein the oily material forming the continuous phase of the emulsion comprises an oil component and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, polybutene, polyisobutylene, petroleum resin, butadiene resin and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.

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: 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: 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: An emulsion explosive composition comprising a discontinuous phase containing an oxygen-supplying phase wherein the discontinuous phase additionally comprises a crystal growth-inhibitor. The compositions exhibit improved storage characteristics.

Abstract: An emulsion explosive composition comprising an oxygen-supplying salt component as a discontinuous phase, an organic medium forming a continuous phase and a stabilizer which comprises a polycyclic hydrocarbon. Suitable stabilizers include sterols, such as cholesterol. The compositions, which may also include a conventional emulsifier, exhibit small diameter cap-sensitivity and improved storage characteristics.

Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition containing an emulsifier consisting of a mixture of sorbide, sorbitan and sorbitol fatty acid esters in a specifically limited mixing ratio, has an improved storage stability in initiation sensitivity in small diameter cartridges and at low temperatures and further has an improved resistance against dead pressing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved explosives. More particularly, the invention relates to cap-sensitive slurry explosives, either water-in-oil emulsion explosives or conventional water-based slurries having a continuous aqueous phase, containing high strength, small, hollow, dispersed spheres as a density reducing agent. The preferred explosive is a cap-sensitive water-in-oil emulsion explosive having a water-immiscible liquid organic fuel as a continuous phase; an emulsified aqueous inorganic oxidizer salt solution as a discontinuous phase; an emulsifier; and as a density reducing agent, small, hollow, dispersed spheres, preferably glass or plastic, having a strength such that a maximum of about 10% collapse under a pressure of 500 psi. As used herein, the term "cap-sensitive" means that the explosive composition is detonable with a No. 8 cap at 20.degree. C. in a charge diameter of 32 mm or less.

Abstract: A water-in-wax emulsion explosive composition is provided wherein the continuous carbonaceous fuel phase comprises paraffin wax together with a minor amount of a rheology modifier and stabilizer combination comprising an ethylene-containing polymer and a low molecular weight hydrocarbon liquid. The resulting explosive composition exhibits properties of viscosity and stability comparable to similar compositions containing highly refined microcrystalline wax fuels.

Abstract: The present invention is an essentially non-toxic, smoke-producing, pyrotnic composition. The composition uses 1,4 benzenedicarboxylic acid which produces a superior visual screening smoke when vaporized by heat provided a reaction between suitable fuel and oxidizer. The composition additionally contains potassium chlorate and sugar. The composition burns at a low temperature without a visual flame and is suited for use in smoke grenades and smoke pots.

Abstract: Low (thermal) Vulnerability Ammunition or LOVA is more responsive to the rmal stimulation of the igniter compositions disclosed herein. The igniter compositions of this invention generate oxygen rich flames upon decomposition. Such igniter compositions comprise nitrocellulose, nitroglycerine, potassium perchlorate and ethyl centralite. An agent comprising one or more titanate salts and/or carbon black may optionally be included in such compositions to the extent of about 0.35% w/w. Such compositions can be extruded and utilized in strand form.