Abstract:
Bonding agents for use in formulating solid propellants are described. The bonding agents have a Schiff base, or Schiff base and hydroxyl or amine functionality. These materials are synthesized by reacting a primary amine with an aldehyde to form a Schiff base. By definition, a Schiff base comprises the reaction product of a primary amine and an aldehyde. In one embodiment of the invention, such a product is produced by the reaction of a polyoxyalkyleneamine (JEFFAMINE®) with p-nitrobenzaldehyde and glycidol. The result is a polyether having both hydroxyl and Schiff base functionality. The bonding agents provide superior performance, while avoiding problems, such as ammonia production during processing, encountered when using existing bonding agents. Propellants formulated using these bonding agents have mechanical properties within acceptable ranges.
Abstract:
A gas generating pyrotechnic composition that in addition to a primary fuel component and a primary oxidizer component includes critical relative amounts of elemental carbon and cupric oxide. Also provided are associated methods for producing an inflation gas for an occupant restraint system of a motor vehicle.
Abstract:
The invention relates to Group 1 metal/silica gel compositions comprising silica gel and an alkali metal or alloy, wherein Group 1 metals or alloys are absorbed into the silica gel pores. The invention relates to producing hydrogen gas comprising contacting a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition with water, and further relates to an alkali metal reduction of an organic compound, the improvement comprising contacting the organic compound with a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition. In these embodiments, the Group 1 metal/silica gel composition reacts with dry O2. The invention also relates to producing hydrogen gas comprising contacting a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition with water, and further relates to an alkali metal reduction of an organic compound, the improvement comprising contacting the organic compound with a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition. In these embodiments, the Group 1 metal/silica gel composition produced does not react with dry O2.
Abstract:
Hypergolic liquid or gel fuel mixtures utilized in bipropellant propulsion systems are disclosed as replacements for fuels containing toxic monomethylhydrazine. The fuel mixtures include one or more amine azides mixed with one or more tertiary diamine, tri-amine or tetra-amine compounds. The fuel mixtures include N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) mixed with 2-N,N-dimethylaminoethylazide (DMAZ), TMEDA mixed with tris(2-azidoethyl)amine (TAEA), and TMEDA mixed with one or more cyclic amine azides. Each hypergolic fuel mixture provides a reduced ignition delay for combining with an oxidant in fuel propellant systems. The fuel mixtures have advantages in reduced ignition delay times compared to ignition delay times for each unmixed component, providing a synergistic effect which was not predictable from review of each component's composition. Additional fuel mixtures include various tertiary diamine, tertiary tri-amine or tetra-amine compounds combined with one or more amine azides or imidic amide compounds, to provide clean burning, high performing, and non-toxic fuels.
Abstract:
Fatty esters of oligoesters of a dicarboxylic acid and a polyol retaining at least one free hydroxyl group, particularly of the formula (I): R1—[OR2O—C(O)—R3—(O)C—]m—R4 (I), where R1 is H, a monocarboxylic acid group, or R6O—[C(O)—R3—(O)C]—; R2s are residues of polyols having at least one substituent free hydroxyl; R3s are hydrocarbylene; R4 is —OH, —OM where M is a salt forming metal, amine or ammonium, —OR6, or —OR2O—R7; R5 is C7 to C21 hydrocarbyl; R6 is C8 to C22 hydrocarbyl; R7 is H, or —C(O)R5; and m is 1 to 20; provided that at least one of R1 and R4 is or includes a C8 to C22 group, are surfactants. A range of surfactant properties can be obtained by varying the molecules within these ranges. Especially where R2 is derived from a higher polyol e.g. sorbitol, R3 is C2 to C6, and the fatty terminal group is C8 to C14, the products can be highly water soluble and effective oil in water emulsifiers.
Abstract:
Gas generating compositions having a fuel preferably comprising a mixture of 5-aminotetrazole (5-AT), azodicarbonamide (ADCA), an oxidizer, and a superfine metal powder burn rate enhancer such as nano-aluminum, for use in automotive seatbelt pretensioners and other suitable applications requiring high impetus, high rate of gas generation. Also, methods of making these compositions, and devices incorporating them such as seatbelt pretensioners.
Abstract:
A single increment initiator charge for use in an inflatable restraint system and a method of preparing the single increment initiator charge are provided. The single increment initiator charge includes a homogeneous blend of zirconium, an oxidizer such as potassium perchlorate, and a combustion enhancer such as titanium hydride in an amount effective to result in the single increment initiator charge being effective to ignite an associated pyrotechnic charge. The single increment initiator charge may be formed by preparing a homogeneous blend such as by dry-blending the constituents or by mixing the constituents with a solvent such as an alcohol to form a slurry, loading the homogeneous blend into a charge holder and compressing the homogeneous blend.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to an age-stabilized and/or strengthened ammonium nitrate propellant composition wherein the strengthening agent is selected from the group consisting of azodicarbonamide, dicyandiamide, oxamide and mixtures thereof and wherein the age-stabilizing agent is a molecular sieve having a pore size of 13 angstroms or less.
Abstract:
The invention relates to the technical field of exercise munitions and more particularly to the color marker compositions for such munitions.The marker composition according to the invention comprises at least one container (12) holding a marker composition (14) and a dispersive explosive charge (16). It is characterized in that the container (12) is substantially cylindrical, the dispersive explosive charge (16) being situated at the level of the container axis and in that the marker composition comprises at least one pigment in the form a solid, coloring powder dispersed in water, the powder being combined with a water-soluble binder and with a rheological component which is also water-soluble and which is intended to agglomerate the pigments and to increase the composition's viscosity, the composition further including an antifreeze agent.
Abstract:
An improved thermally stable, storage stable gas generating composition characterized by both an increased burning rate and a decreased pressure exponent for producing a clean, nontoxic, substantially ash- and solids-free gas for inflating inflatable structures such as vehicle airbags is provided. Optimum combustion efficiencies and operating pressures are achieved in the improved gas generating composition by adding an effective amount of a copper or copper compound catalyst to a gas generating composition that is preferably a eutectic mixture or solid solution of ammonium nitrate, at least one highly oxygenated fuel, potassium or cesium perchlorate or nitrate and an optional binder.