Cordant Technologies Inc.

Alliant Techsystems Inc.

Kenneth E Lee

Paul C Braithwaite

Robert L Hatch

Steve Nicolich

Mark Mezger

Gary K Lund

Daniel W Doll

A composition C4 substitute is provided, the substitute including 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo[5.5.0.00]-dodecane (CL-20), optionally one or more nitramines other than CL-20, and silicone fluid. Also provided is an additive composition including CL-20 and bis(dinitropropyl)acetal and bis(dinitropropyl)formal (BDNPA/F). The additive composition is preferably combined with composition C-4.

Reformulation of composition C-4 explosive

An explosive composition is provided that includes 85 to about 96 weight percent nitramine, based on the total composition weight, and about 4 to 15 weight percent plasticized binder. At least 80 weight percent of the total composition weight, and more preferably 85 to 96 weight percent of the total composition weight, comprises 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo[5.5.0.00]-dodecane (CL-20) particles having an average particle size not greater than 30 microns as the nitramine. Methods for preparing an explosive from the explosive composition are also provide.

Low-sensitivity explosive compositions

This substantially water-free method for preparing high density igniter granules involves uniformly coating fuel and oxidizer particulates dispersed in a non-solvent with a thermoplastic elastomer solution to produce coated igniter granules exhibiting substantially uniform size and shape distributions. The coated igniter granules are especially useful for waterless extrusion into igniters for automobile gas generating inflation devices, solid propellant rocket motors, and thrust decoys.

Water-free preparation of igniter granules for waterless extrusion processes

A water slurry method of making high performance explosive compositions and ordnances using the explosive compositions as an explosive ingredient for high performance, low sensitivity explosive applications is disclosed. The method involves combining an aqueous dispersion including CL-20 with a lacquer including at least one non-energetic binder and at least one plasticizer, then agitating the slurry to form CL-20 granules. The CL-20 may be present in the explosive formulation in a concentration of from about 85 wt % to about 96 wt %. The formulation is preferably sufficiently pressable and/or extrudable to permit it to be formed into grains suitable for ordnance and similar applications, including use as grenades, land mines, missile warheads, and demolition explosives.

Method for making high performance explosive formulations containing CL-20

High performance explosive compositions and ordnances using the explosive compositions as an explosive ingredient for high performance, low sensitivity explosive applications are disclosed. The explosive formulation includes CL-20 as an explosive ingredient, and a binder system including cellulose acetate butyrate as a non-energetic binder and bis-dinitropropyl acetal and bis-dinitropropyl formal as an energetic plasticizer. The CL-20 may be present in the explosive formulation in a concentration of from about 85 wt % to about 96 wt %. The formulation is preferably sufficiently pressable and/or extrudable to permit it to be formed into grains suitable for ordnance and similar applications, including use as grenades, land mines, missile warheads, and demolition explosives.

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No. Ogden, UT, United States of America

Kenneth E Lee