Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A low-solids gas generating composition, which is a mixture of a fuel selected for the group consisting of cellulose, cellulose acetate, hexamine, and mixtures thereof, and an oxidizer selected from the group consisting of ceric ammonium nitrate, lithium nitrate, lithium perchlorate, sodium perchlorate, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate, a combination of ammonium nitrate with potassium nitrate, potassium perchlorate, or mixtures thereof, such that the combination is a solid solution, a mixture of ammonium perchlorate and at least one alkali metal salt, and mixtures thereof. The combination of ammonium nitrate with other salts in solid solution is intended to phase stabilize the ammonium nitrate. The oxidizer-fuel mixture is within about 4 percent of stoichiometric balance. Useful alkali metal salts include lithium carbonate, lithium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and mixtures thereof. The preferred oxidizers for the gas generating composition of the invention are ceric ammonium nitrate, lithium nitrate, lithium perchlorate, sodium perchlorate, a mixture of ammonium perchlorate and at least one alkali metal salt, and mixtures thereof. In addition, the gas generating composition may include an energizing agent, such as RDX or HMX. The gas generating composition of the invention may further comprise sub-micron fumed silica to reduce moisture contamination and serve as a processing and powder flow aid and/or a binder, and may be in the form of pressed pellets, grains, or granules.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim