US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Christi L Salter

William D Stephens

Leo K Asaoka

Terry E Hice

Gregory K Hodges

Jonathon S Prickett

Sticky high water content gelled fire extinguisher compositions hold the antage of providing a high water content, slightly viscous (sticky) gel with flow properties similar to water. The ability of this material to stick to burning surfaces is what sets it apart from water extinguishers. Not only are fires extinguished, but also surfaces are cooled by the sticky gel as the water evaporates. The basic gelled fire extinguisher composition is comprised of about 88 weight percent water and about 12 weight percent of a 7 nanometer particle size silicon dioxide gellant. The silicon dioxide gellant is available as EH5 tradename by Cabot for this silicon dioxide gellant. Other ingredients such as dispersants, wetting agents and flame retardants can be used as additives in combination with the gelling agent. The actual gel system is inexpensive, made from readily available ingredients and easily prepared.

Sticky high water content gels for extinguishers

The cool insulator incorporates a water gel coolant and poly-p-ethylene tphthalamide fibers (Kevlar) in an elastomeric rubber binder selected from the group consisting of silicon rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer, polybutadiene, and polyisoprene. The fiber provides erosion resistance required for long motor burning periods. This insulation includes a submicroscopic particulate water source with high temperature water release properties. The submicroscopic particulate water source is in the form of a flowable solid when formulated and in a weight percent amount from about 10 to about 20. The preferred water source is submicroscopic particulate silica containing over 11.times.10.sup.15 particles per gram and has a surface area of about 200 square meters per gram. The submicroscopic particulate silica is known as 'dry water' and specifically described by its method of preparation in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,008,170. The submicroscopic particulate silica water source is retained during processing and during a curing temperature up to about of 145.degree. F. The specific water source functions to provide water retention cooling up to about 150.degree. C. to thereby provide more efficient cooling as a result of lowering the thermal conductivity of the cool insulator in which it is formulated.

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Decatur, AL, United States of America

Christi L Salter