Special Devices, Incorporated

Specialty Products Development Corporation

Hubert G Timmerman

A pyrotechnic fuel material for a booster in a pyrotechnic system having an adjacent igniter. In one embodiment, a powdered BaAl.sub.4 compound is used as the booster pyrotechnic fuel. In another embodiment, a powdered zirconium/nickel alloy is used as the booster pyrotechnic fuel. Both the powdered BaAl.sub.4 compound and the powdered zirconium/nickel alloy exhibit ignition sensitivity thresholds on the order of millijoules, thereby allowing for increased safety in manufacturing and handling over elemental powdered metal pyrotechnic fuels normally used for the entire pyrotechnic system.

Powdered metal pyrotechnic fuel

Disclosed is an improved method of drying a slurry of adhesive particles and counter-solvent such as a slurry of pyrotechnic particles and counter-solvent produced by the precipitation method, wherein the counter-solvent is evaporated from the slurry for a period of time under turbulence so as to prevent caking or aggregation of the particles.

Method of drying pyrotechnic compositions

A technique is provided for making a granulated propellant suitable for gas generation for an automobile passenger restraint bag. The propellant is about 1/4 anhydrous nickel formate and 3/4 potassium chlorate. The dry powders are blended and mixed with about 12 to 15% of liquid comprising water and up to 50% methanol. The blended mixture is granulated and dehydrated.

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Manhattan Beach, CA, United States of America

Hubert G Timmerman