Alliant Techsystems Inc.

Wayne Edwards

Andrew J Sanderson

Louis F Cannizzo

Robert B Wardle

Alexander J Paraskos

Michael A Dewey

A method is provided in which PGN is end-modified in a process using a single solvent. The resulting end-modified PGN may be stably crosslinked using aliphatic polyisocyanates. Further provided are methods of producing energetic compositions comprising PGN which has been end-modified in a process using a single solvent. Such energetic compositions may be stably crosslinked using aliphatic polyisocyanates.

One pot procedure for poly (glycidyl nitrate) end modification

This thermoplastic elastomer is present in a substantially solid state suitable for use as a binder for a propellant, explosive, and/or gas generant of a supplemental restraint system. The thermoplastic elastomer is formed from a composition including A blocks which are crystalline at temperatures below about 75&#xb0; C. and B blocks which are amorphous at temperatures above about &#x2212;20&#xb0; C. The A blocks are derived from oxetane derivatives and the B blocks are derived from oxiranes and derivatives thereof. The A blocks and B-blocks are end-capped with a diisocyanate having a first isocyanate moiety that is substantially more reactive with the terminal groups of the blocks than the second isocyanate moiety, whereby the more reactive first isocyanate moiety is capable of reacting with the terminal groups of the blocks, leaving the less reactive second isocyanate moiety free and unreacted. The end-capped A blocks and the end-capped B blocks are linked together with a linking compound having two isocyanate-reactive groups which are sufficiently unhindered to react with the free and unreacted isocyanate moieties of the end-capped polymers.

Synthesis of energetic thermoplastic elastomers containing both polyoxirane and polyoxetane blocks

A method is provided for preparing thermoplastic elastomers. A blocks of the thermoplastic elastomers are crystalline at temperatures below about 60&#xb0; C. and are derived from oxetane derivatives and/or tetrahydrofuran derivatives. B blocks of the thermoplastic elastomer are amorphous above about &#x2212;20&#xb0; C. and are derived from oxetanes, tetrahydrofuran, oxiranes, and derivatives thereof. According to this method, the A and B blocks are dissolved into solution containing a non-halogenated solvent, preferably tetrahydrofuran, then dried by azeotropic distillation. The dried blocks are end-capped with a diisocyanate, preferably a diisocyanate having one isocyanate moiety substantially more reactive with the terminal groups of the blocks than the other isocyanate moiety of the diisocyanate. The end-capped blocks are then linked together with a linking compound.

Method for the synthesis of energetic thermoplastic elastomers in non-halogenated solvents

This thermoplastic elastomer is present in a substantially solid state suitable for use as a binder for a propellant, explosive, and/or gas generant of a supplemental restraint system. The thermoplastic elastomer is formed from a composition including A blocks which are crystalline at temperatures below about 75&deg; C. and B blocks which are amorphous at temperatures above about &minus;20&deg; C. The A blocks are derived from oxetane derivatives and/or tetrahydrofuran derivatives. The B blocks are derived from oxetanes, tetrahydrofuran, oxiranes, and derivatives thereof. The A and B blocks are end-capped with at least one diisocyanate and linked with at least one difunctional oligomer having two functional groups which are reactive with free and unreacted isocyanate moieties of the diisocyanate.

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Tremonton, UT, United States of America

Wayne Edwards