Alliant Techsystems Inc.

Laura J Martins

Andrew J Sanderson

Gary K Lund

Vincent E Mancini

Richard Brad Cragun

Michael A Dewey

Michael V Wells

A process is provided in which at least one multi-functional alcohol having a hydroxyl functionality of at least two serves as a polymerization initiator. The multi-functional alcohol initiator is optionally, although preferably, reacted with a catalyst to form a catalyst-initiator complex, which is then used in the polymerization of glycidyl nitrate. The resulting poly(glycidyl nitrate) has a functionality substantially equivalent in number to the hydroxyl functionality of the multi-functional alcohol initiator. The poly(glycidyl nitrate) is cross-linked with at least one aromatic polyisocyanate having at least one aromatic ring and, on average, more than two isocyanate moieties bonded directly to the aromatic ring.

Process for making stable cured poly(glycidyl nitrate) and energetic compositions comprising same

A process is provided in which at least one polyol having a hydroxyl functionality of at least three, preferably four, serves as a polymerization initiator. The polyol initiator is optionally, although preferably, reacted with a catalyst to form a catalyst-initiator complex, which is then used in the polymerization of glycidyl nitrate. The resulting polyfunctional poly(glycidyl nitrate) has a functionality substantially equivalent in number to the hydroxyl functionality of the polyol. The poly(glycidyl nitrate) is cross-linked with at least one aromatic diisocyanate having at least one aromatic ring and two isocyanate moieties bonded directly to the at least one aromatic ring. Examples of the aromatic diisocyanate include toluene diisocyanate, phenylene diisocyanate, and/or methylene di-p-phenylene diisocyanate.

Process for making stable cured poly(glycidyl nitrate)

In this method for making multi-base propellants, pelletized nitrocellulose is coated with an electrostatically insensitive liquid elastomer precursor or non-plasticizer while wetted in a non-solvent diluent, preferably in the absence of plasticizers. The non-solvent diluent is then substantially, if not completely, removed from the coated nitrocellulose. Then, the coated pelletized nitrocellulose is mixed with a plasticizer and optionally other ingredients and fillers, including energetic fuels such as nitroguanidine. The propellant formulation is then cast, and optionally cured with an acceptable curative, such as a diisocyanate or polyisocyanate. The resulting material may be visually (i.e., to the naked eye) homogeneous. Also, the coated nitrocellulose pellets present during processing have reduced sensitivity to electrostatic discharge.

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Ogden, UT, United States of America

Laura J Martins