Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing plastic-bound propellant powders and explosives in crystalline form, with the apparatus including an extruder comprising a casing with a feed opening, optionally a solvent supply opening and one or two extruder shafts with kneading and conveying segments. For processing the plastic binders, which polymerize photochemically or under X-rays, a casing section transparent for the rays is provided, with polymerization within the extruder being initiated by UV/VIS or X-radiation sources arranged around it and the radiation intensity and/or the wavelength of the radiation are controlled as a function of the pressure difference over a given path in a compression zone of the extruder, in such a manner that the propellant or explosive strand or strands leave the extruder in a dimensionally stable and cuttable manner.

Abstract: Hexakis (2-nitroxyethyl) melamine which is useful as an energetic plasticr.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of combustible articles by embossing combustible paper and combustible articles thus produced.The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of combustible dish-shaped articles of revolution with circular external outlines from combustible paper containing nitrocellulose by embossing at least one combustible paper disc 11 comprising a central part 12 and a peripheral part consisting of a plurality of portions 13 separated from each other by radial slits 14 the length "L" of which is smaller than the radius "R" of the said disc 11 and the width "e" in which is at least equal to the minimum width required to prevent the overlapping of the said portions 13 when the disc 11 is deformed by embossing.The invention also relates to combustible dish-shaped articles of revolution with circular external out-lines, consisting of at least one sheet of combustible paper containing nitrocellulose and in particular those produced by the process according to the invention.

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: Processes for the production of free-flowing, non-fibrous, alcohol-moistened nitrocellulose, characterized in that the water- or alcohol-moist nitrocellulose is softened with a solvent mixture of a nitrocellulose solvent and a lower aliphatic alcohol and water until the nitrocellulose fibers disappear, the alcohol-containing, liquid phase is decanted off from the two-phase mixture formed and the nitrocellulose-containing phase is processed into granulate using a screw extruder, the quantity of solvent mixture is used amounting to between 75 and 155% by weight, based on dry nitrocellulose, and the components of the mixture, NC-solvent:lower alcohol:water, being present in a ratio of 1:(0.2-4):(0.2-4).

Abstract: An azidonitrate energetic composition i.e. cellulose azidonitrate and a pess of making the same from nitrocellulose and sodium or lithium azide.

Abstract: A method of minimizing deep hole pressure effects on ammonium nitrate-containing blasting agents while optimizing booster sensitivity, detonation rate and detonation energy of such agents, by replacing density control component(s) with a sensitizer formulation comprising particulate aluminum and particulate smokeless powder; and a corresponding detonatable high density emulsion blasting agent utilizing such sensitizing formulation.

Abstract: A high density emulsion blasting agent and method is provided for increasing volume energy and optimizing booster sensitivity of water-in-oil emulsion blasting agents without loss of desirable handling characteristics of invert emulsions by utilizing an effective amount of a special sensitizing formulation in total or partial substitution for gas entraining density control agents.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel magnetically traceable or detectable explosive blended with a magnetic ferrite powder which facilitates the detection of the misfired explosive, e.g. dynamite, remaining in the field after blasting by a magnetic means but not to adversely affect the stability of the explosive. The ferrite powder is freed of any free alkalinity on the surface before blending with the explosive either by washing with water, neutralization with a dilute acid, reaction with an acid followed by washing with water or neutralization with an alkali and/or by coating with a polymeric material on the particles. The most efficient method for the coating of the ferrite powder with a polymeric material is the in situ polymerization of a radical-polymerizable monomer in contact with the ferrite particles in the presence of hydrogensulfite ions and the explosives blended with such a polymer-coated ferrite powder retain their stability even after a prolonged storage.

Abstract: Single- or multi-base propellants are produced in a solvent process from ir starting components, of which at least one is moistened with alcohol, using a twin-shaft screw extruder, that has an inlet zone run at a raised temperature, then nextly a mixing and kneading zone and lastly an outlet zone. The temperature in the kneading and mixing zone and in the outlet zones is kept at a value that is higher than in the inlet zone. Furthermore there is a temperature drop towards the outlet zone.

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: The present invention falls in the field of propellant charges for ballistic ammunitions which have combustible or a non-combustible casing. According to the invention, the ammunition is constituted by a casing 2 placed around a shell 1 and closed by a portion 3 which carries the primer 4. The casing contains a mixed charge constituted on one hand by fragmentable balls 5 and on the other hand, by grains 6 of propellant powder. The balls 5 are constituted by agglomerated propellant powder. The charges according to the invention may be prepared on an industrial scale very easily and in a very reproducible manner and they permit an appreciable increase of the coefficient of filling of the casing.

Abstract: A nitrocellulose composition in the form of chips containing 50 to 80 wt % of nitrocellulose and less than 1 wt % of water is produced by adding to water-wetted nitrocellulose an organic solvent which dissolves nitrocellulose and polyurethane resin and is inert to isocyanate in an amount of 30 to 300 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of dry nitrocellulose, mixing, rolling or extrusion molding, drying at 30.degree. to 55.degree. C., and cutting. This composition is useful as nitrocellulose for magnetic tape binder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of fine propellant powders by granulation, and, by way of products, to the fine powders thus obtained.The process according to the invention consists in granulating the base materials, wetted with solvent, in a granulating tray 11, in subsequently subjecting the granules thus obtained to a first partial drying in a drier 14, and in completing the finishing of the said granules in a rounder 16, optionally in the presence of solvent.The process according to the invention can be carried out continuously or batchwise, with a very high degree of operational safety. The propellant powders thus obtained possess a good activity and are suitable for small-caliber and medium-caliber weapons.

Abstract: The inclusion in a double base propellant of a ballistic modifier selected rom the class consisting of copper, lead, tin, and bismuth chelates of a dihydroxybenzophenone or alkoxyhydroxyphenzophenone.

Abstract: A gas generating propellant charge which is made by piling explosive powder sheets having a plurality of projections on at least one surface thereof so as to make contact them with each other is excellent in firing characteristics, and the explosive powders in the gas generating propellant charge can be burnt in a short time, thereby generating a large amount of gas.

Abstract: Novel tetraazido polyesters comprising compounds of the following generic formula ##STR1## and methods of preparation of these polyesters.

Abstract: A hybrid gun propellant containing an oxidizer rich liquid monopropellant d an oxidizer deficient single based solid propellant.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multi-vessel autoclave which is suitable for use in a continuous process for purifying nitrocellulose made by the nitric acid-sulfuric acid nitration of cellulose. The autoclave comprises a plurality of adjacent cylindrical vessels wherein each common wall between the adjacent vessels has an opening for the passage of the nitrocellulose which is in a slurry. The openings are situated so the slurry flows in a serpentine path.

Abstract: A family of gun propellants formulated with nitroaminoguanidine (NAGU), as an oxidizer, to reduce the isochoric flame temperature while providing high mass impetus.

Abstract: A process for promoting the oxidation of an explosive-containing mixture or a pyrotechnical mixture involves utilizing zinc peroxide as the sole or predominant oxidant in the mixture. Preferably the zinc peroxide has an available oxygen content of more than 12.3% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to propellant powders based on nitrocellulose, nitrated oil and polyvinyl nitrate and also to the process for their manufacture.The powders according to the invention contain between 50 and 75 parts by weight of nitrocellulose, between 5 and 25 parts by weight of nitrated oil and between 5 and 25 parts by weight of polyvinyl nitrate.The manufacturing process consists in malaxating the energy-producing bases in the presence of an acetone/alcohol mixture until a homogeneous paste is obtained, which is extruded, drained, chopped, soaked and dried, and the process is characterized in that(i) the proportion of acetone in the paste during malaxation is between 30 and 36% by weight, relative to the dry nitrocellulose and the dry polyvinyl nitrate, and in that the weight ratio acetone/alcohol is between 1.10 and 1.

Abstract: Smokeless crosslinked double-base propellant compositions having good mechanical properties over a wide temperature range are provided. The propellant compositions contain nitrocellulose, energetic plasticizer, a crosslinking agent which is a prepolymer of a hydroxy terminated polyester and a diisocyanate, lead salt and carbon black.

Abstract: The addition of monobasic cupric .beta.-resorcylate to a double base propant plasticized by only nitrate esters having primary nitroxy groups in order to obtain a plateau burning characteristic.

Abstract: Process for removal of residual "processing" solvent from propellant casting powder particles, following their manufacture, which comprises "liquid drying" the particles by contacting them with an organic liquid miscible with the processing solvent but exhibiting substantially no solvent action for the powder particle ingredients with substantially no penetration of the particles. Normally liquid hydrocarbons are exemplary liquid drying solvents of which n-heptane and n-hexane are now preferred.In preferred practice the liquid drying solvent is maintained in substantially complete wetting relationship with the particle surfaces until emplacement of the particles for casting. This eliminates safety hazards involved in conventional heat drying of the green powder and subsequent handling of the resulting dry material.

Abstract: New propellant compositions characterized by the addition of certain simple salts and double salts, both metallic and non-metallic, having the B.sub.10 H.sub.10.sup.-2 anion in common, are taught herein to function as a class of burn rate catalysts, and not as fuels, when combined with a category of propellants known as nitrocellulose base propellants. Additionally, unique forms of the simple salts, created by coprecipitation of the simple salt with an oxidizer, constitute a third class of burn rate enhancers herein.

Abstract: A double base propellant having plasticizer and ballistic modifiers unifoy dispersed therein is formed by using high speed, high shear techniques. The method of uniformly incorporating plasticizers and ballistic modifiers in a solventless process for preparing nitrocellulose is accomplished by forming a slurry of nitrocellulose under high shear, high speed mixing, adding the plasticizers and modifiers thereto and recovering the propellant.

Abstract: Screw extruder and process utilizing same for the production of extrusions formed of compositions based on plasticized nitrocellulose. Process comprises at least one sequence of the following main operations carried out in corresponding zones in the extruder: (i) mixing and shearing the constituents of the composition to effect gelatinization thereof; (ii) retarding the forward movement of the composition by throttling; and (iii) drying the gelatinized composition by evaporation under a reduced pressure prior to extrusion of the composition from the outlet die of the extruder.

Abstract: Solventless double base propellants plasticized by metriol trinitrate thrh the addition of triethylene glycol dinitrate in a ratio of at least 1:14 triethylene glycol dinitrate to metriol trinitrate.

Abstract: Solid propellant compositions having graphite fibers dispersed throughout the propellant are provided. The graphite fibers augment the burning rate of the solid propellant.

Abstract: A unitary combustible or explosive munitions container of uniform cross-section but of non-uniform linear composition is provided by depositing under suction two different fluid aqueous suspensions of fibrous propellant material and cellulose papermaking fibers on different touching zones of a hollow foraminous shape having an interior under vacuum, thereby forming a water-laid web on said shape, hot pressing the web to desired shape, and trimming the product to size. The process is suitable for the manufacture of cartridge cases and other ammunition containers.

Abstract: A process for producing propellant charge powders from solvent-containing mixtures such as nitroguanidine powders containing nitrocellulose and/ or nitrocellulose and diglycol dinitrate or nitroglycerin and nitroguanidine and additives wherein an alcohol-containing mixture or optionally a water-containing mixture of said propellant charge powders is premixed with additional components of the propellant powder, the mixture is first dried, if necessary, and the solvent is incorporated therein and the solvent-containing premix is homogenized and preplasticized in a kneading device or the water-containing premix is homogenized and preplasticized in the kneading device and then the resultant mixture is dewatered by drying and then combined with a solvent; then the solvent-containing mixture is plasticized in an extruder and converted thereby into granular form and the resulting granular material is extruded into a final product form in a screw-type extruder. Subsequently, the solvent is evaporated therefrom.

Abstract: A solution comprising nitrocellulose and a nitramine consisting of either X (Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-s-triazine), HMX (Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-s-tetrazine), or mixtures thereof is dissolved in a volatile, liquid acetate ester, evaporated at room temperature to form a film, and then dried. The resulting material is a homogeneous, hydrogen-bonded complex of nitrocellulose and the nitramine, useful as an energetic propellant.

Abstract: An improved process for producing colloidal nitrocellulose having a high vimetric loading density by a shock gel type process is provided. Process improvements result in part from the use of 13.35%N as the source of nitrocellulose and from the use of diethylene glycol monomethyl ether as the shock gel solvent. Gravimetric loading densities of at least 0.95 gm./ml. are achieved through this process.

Abstract: An energetic binder composition of a carboxy polymer, such as an acrylic ymer, mixed with nitrocellulose and cross-linked with a multifunctional curing agent. A composite type propellant in which the energetic binder is combined with an oxidizer and process for preparation thereof.

Abstract: A mouldable thermoplastic composition comprises (i) polyvinyl nitrate, (ii) nitrocellulose and/or polyvinyl acetate and (iii) 2-nitro-diphenylamine and may be used to form combustible articles such as cartridge cases. Preferably, the composition comprises from 30 to 90% by weight of polyvinyl nitrate based on the total weight of components (i) and (ii). The composition may comprise up to about 30% by weight, based on the weight of components (i) and (ii), of at least one additive selected from cellulose acetate, dinitrotoluene, phthalates, non-volatile esters, heterocyclic ketones, ureas and ABS copolymers.The combustible articles may be formed by compression moulding or injection moulding. Preferably the mouldable composition is formed into granules using the "with solvent" technique for making single base propellants, and the granules are mixed with a porous powder comprising nitrocellulose prior to being moulded to form the combustible article.

Abstract: A nitrocellulose-containing lacquer for producing a smokeless powder propellant, which lacquer includes nitrocellulose, a solvent for the nitrocellulose, water, and a surfactant for preventing the water from forming discrete globules in the lacquer.

Abstract: Flexible, self-supporting explosive compositions composed essentially ently of a particulate high explosive RDX, HMX and/or PETN and a high viscosity nitrocellulose binder plasticized with triethyleneglycol dinitrate.

Abstract: Ballistic modifiers of up to one micron in size are slurried and mixed with high impulse propellant slurry in order to produce a high impulse propellant having a plateau or mesa burning characteristic.

Abstract: High shear treatment of a slurry of explosive particles breaks up agglomees of the explosive particle, forms a stable slurry of fine explosive particles, and tests the slurry for water content.

Abstract: A method for extruding solventless gun powder comprising working and refong said gun powder by extruding through a plurality of holes in at least two plates prior to final extrusion through a die whereby said solventless gun powder has improved tensile strength.

Abstract: A family of gun propellants formulated with triaminoguanidine ethylenedinitramine (TAGED), as an oxidizer, to reduce the isochoric flame temperature while providing high mass impetus.