Cordant Technologies Inc.

Thiokol Corporation

Andrew C Haaland

Michael T Rose

Paul C Braithwaite

James A Hartwell

Val D Lott

Steven J Bradley

Michael R Harper

A process for manufacturing a high performance gun propellant containing an energetic thermoplastic elastomeric binder and a high-energy oxidizer is disclosed. The process includes preparing or obtaining a molding powder of the high-energy oxidizer particles coated with the energetic thermoplastic elastomeric binder and extruding the molding powder into the desired gun propellant configuration. The high-energy oxidizer has a concentration in the range from 70% to 85%, by weight, and the energetic thermoplastic elastomeric binder has a concentration in the range from 15% to 30%, by weight. The molding powder has a particle size in the range from 200&mgr; to 2000&mgr;. Typical thermoplastic elastomeric binders include oxetane, oxirane, and nitramine backbone polymers, copolymers, and mixtures thereof. Typical high-energy oxidizers include nitramine oxidizers.

Process for the manufacture of high performance gun propellants

A mechanism for isolating energetic material feed streams from a material processing apparatus includes a deflector conduit having side panels defining a passageway from an entrance to an exit. Openings are formed in the side panels, and deflector baffles are positioned within the passageway adjacent each of the openings. The deflector baffles are arranged obliquely to the side panels so as to permit material to pass through the passageway toward the exit without falling out of the openings, but to deflect flames, propagating through the passageway toward the entrance, out of the openings to substantially prevent the flames from reaching the entrance. A conveyor may be used in conjunction with the deflector conduit to separate the conduit from a material feed hopper. A combustible conduit may be used to direct material into the deflector conduit from the end of a conveyor or from a feed hopper.

Mechanism for mechanically isolating energetic material feed streams

A process for manufacturing a high performance gun propellant containing an energetic thermoplastic elastomeric binder and a high-energy oxidizer is disclosed. The process includes preparing or obtaining a molding powder of the high-energy oxidizer particles coated with the energetic thermo-plastic elastomeric binder and extruding the molding powder into the desired gun propellant configuration. The high-energy oxidizer has a concentration in the range from 70% to 85%, by weight, and the energetic thermoplastic elastomeric binder has a concentration in the range from 15% to 30%, by weight. The molding powder has a particle size in the range from 200 .mu. to 2000 .mu.. Typical thermoplastic elastomeric binders include oxetane, oxirane, and nitramine backbone polymers, copolymers, and mixtures thereof. Typical high-energy oxidizers include nitramine oxidizers.

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Park City, UT, United States of America

Andrew C Haaland