Thiokol Corporation

Other

Morton Thiokol Inc.

Morton International, Inc.

Graham C Shaw

Russell E Reed

Robert A Frosch

Leon L Jones

Robert E Meyer

Gary K Lund

Daniel B Nielson

W Wayne Edwards

Norman H Lundstrom

Gerald E Manser

Richard P Cornia

Meldon J McIntosh

Emil A Lawton

Mikel R Stevens

Stanley G Summers

Gas generating compositions or propellants are provided which comprise a non-azide fuel which is a transition metal complex of an aminoarazole. Preferred transition metal complexes are zinc and copper complexes of 5-aminotetrazole and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, with the zinc complexes most preferred. The propellant compositions also include a conventional oxidizer, such as potassium nitrate or strontium nitrate. These compositions are useful for generating a nitrogen-containing gas for a variety of applications, especially for inflating air bags in automotive restraint systems, as well as other inflatable devices.

Non-azide gas generant formulation, method, and apparatus

A composition which is capable of producing an obscuring white smoke is disclosed which employs a dicarboxylic acid as the primary smoke producing agent. It is found that by using a dicarboxylic acid smoke producing agent, a generally non-toxic and non-corrosive smoke is achieved. Also included within the composition are a binder, a fuel or coolant, and an oxidizer. The binder may be any one of a number of binders such as nitrocellulose or a polymer binder. A low energy fuel is preferred in order to minimize heat and flame produced. Such fuels may include, for example, starch, dextrose, lactose, sucrose, or sulphur. The presently preferred oxidizer is KCLO.sub.3. Other substances may also be added to the composition. For example, sodium bicarbonate may be added to act as a buffer for the KCLO.sub.3 and as a further coolant. In some cases it may also be desirable to add aluminum for purposes of producing more uniform burning and increased thermal conductivity through out the composition.

Obscuring and nontoxic smoke compositions

Internally plasticized elastomeric binders for projectile propellants are cured polyethers containing THF, CYMMO plus BMEMO, BEEMO and/or OMMO mer units. The polyethers are fluid at room temperature and are miscible with nitrate ester plasticizers. Propellant binders prepared from these polyethers are curable, have low T.sub.g 's, good mechanical properties, and I.sub.sp 's comparable to PEG-based binders.

Internally-plasticized polyethers from substituted oxetanes

Improved igniter compositions for rocket motors are provided which, when cured, are non-volatile and are capable of igniting under vacuum conditions and burning steadily at reduced pressures. Said igniter compositions comprise:

Igniting rocket propellants under vacuum conditions

A low cost infrared flare composition which uses a high molecular weight fluorinated resin, a low molecular weight fluorinated resin, a polymerizing solvent, and an initiator to form a binder which is combined with a reducing agent to yield a composition readily processable into various grain shapes and varying degrees of hardness thereby providing more consistent burning rates.

Low cost fluorocarbon flare compositions

A solid non-azide composition for generating non-toxic nitrogen gas intended for use in the deployment of inflatable safety crash bags for driver and passenger protection in vehicles consists essentially of a non-hydrogen containing tetrazole compound and a non-oxygen containing oxidizer, examples of the tetrazole being di-alkali metal or mono-alkaline earth metal salts of 5,5'-bitetrazole, and examples of the oxidizer being sulfur, molybdenum disulfide, chromium trichloride and iron trifluoride.

Pyrotechnic non-azide gas generants based on a non-hydrogen containing

A solid non-azide, non-toxic, substantially moisture-free nitrogen gas generating composition intended for use in the deployment of inflatable safety crash bags for driver and passenger protection in vehicles consists essentially of a metal salt of a non-hydrogen containing tetrazole compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts and alkaline earth metal salts and an oxidizer containing nitrogen and a member selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal and an alkaline earth metal, the tetrazole being an azobitetrazole, and examples of the oxidizer being sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite and potassium nitrate.

Solid non-azide nitrogen gas generant compositions

Aluminum is recovered from solid rocket propellant containing a small amount of oxidizer by depolymerizing and dissolving propellant binder containing functional or hydrolyzable groups in a solution of sodium methoxide in an alcohol solvent optionally containing an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon co-solvent and then filtering the solution to recover substantially all the aluminum in active form.

Recovery of aluminum from composite propellants

Enhanced recovery of ammonium perchlorate from waste solid rocket propellant is effected by leaching shredded particles of the propellant with an aqueous leach solution containing a low concentration of surface active agent while stirring the suspension.

Process for the leaching of AP from propellant

Ammonium perchlorate particles having strongly adherent wettable coatings are made by treating the particles with stong amines that displace ammonia to form amine perchlorates at the particle surfaces. Silanylamines are preferred since after amination of the perchlorate the silane groups can be hydrolyzed to siloxanes having good wettability by liquid polymeric propellant binders. The coated perchlorate can be used to produce solid propellants having improved mechanical properties and burning characteristics.

Siloxane-coated ammonium perchlorate and propellant compositions made

A method for safe, relatively air-pollution free disposal of pyrotechnic compositions is disclosed. High percentage recoveries of the inorganic oxidizer and metallic fuel are achieved, resulting in significant cost benefits, while using a minimum of energy.

Method of disposal of pyrotechnic compositions

Metal-penetrating incendiary compositions comprising particulate magnesium and fluoroalkyl phosphate esters of 5 to 11 carbon atoms, optionally containing additives such as ferric oxide, silicon and potassium perchlorate. The compositions can be prepared in paste form, cast and cured at an elevated temperature.

Incendiary compositions of magnesium and fluoroalkyl phosphate esters

A flare composition is passivated to prevent gas generation during curing at elevated temperatures by incorporating therein as a passivating agent a small amount of a polyalkylene oxide phosphate ester. The additive also serves to increase the pot life of the composition.

Growing community of inventors

Garland, UT, United States of America

Graham C Shaw