Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
  • C06B—EXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
  • C06B21/00—Apparatus or methods for working-up explosives, e.g. forming, cutting, drying
  • C06B21/0033—Shaping the mixture
  • C06B21/0041—Shaping the mixture by compression
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
  • C06B—EXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
  • C06B21/00—Apparatus or methods for working-up explosives, e.g. forming, cutting, drying
  • C06B21/0008—Compounding the ingredient
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
  • C06B—EXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
  • C06B31/00—Compositions containing an inorganic nitrogen-oxygen salt
  • C06B31/02—Compositions containing an inorganic nitrogen-oxygen salt the salt being an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal nitrate
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
  • C06B—EXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
  • C06B31/00—Compositions containing an inorganic nitrogen-oxygen salt
  • C06B31/28—Compositions containing an inorganic nitrogen-oxygen salt the salt being ammonium nitrate
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
  • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
  • F42B5/00—Cartridge ammunition, e.g. separately-loaded propellant charges
  • F42B5/02—Cartridges, i.e. cases with charge and missile
  • F42B5/18—Caseless ammunition; Cartridges having combustible cases
  • F42B5/188—Manufacturing processes therefor

Definitions

• This invention relates to a novel combustible and explosive compositions useful as substitutes for previous gunpowder-based compositions as well as other combustible formulations which were useful for propel ⁇ lent, explosive and other pyrotechnic applications.
• This application is a continuation-in-part of United States Patent Application Serial Number 437,965 filed November 1, 1982.
• compositions which have utility as gunpowders, or explosives, or propellents or other pyrotechnic uses, employ nitrates, including organic and inorganic nitrates and ammonium nitrate, as the oxidizer portion of the composition mixture singly or sometimes in combination with other oxidizers, either as a mixture or in some " chemical combination in the composition.
• nitrates including organic and inorganic nitrates and ammonium nitrate
• ammonium and alkali metal nitrates are employed as preferred oxidizers in many pyrotechnic formulations due to their cost and their widespread availability.
• Fig. 1 is a comparison infrared spectrophotometric scan of one of the products of the present invention with added nitrate and prepared as described herein compared to an infrared scan for sodium erythorbate.
• Fig. 2 is a differential thermal analysis of heating one of the formulations described herein to produce the product of the present invention.
• certain classes of organic acids, and salts of those acids and in particular ascorbic acid and erythorbic acid and the salts thereof, and mixtures thereof, which have certain antioxidant and food preservative properties have been found to be capable of being processed together with sources of nitrate, including inorganic nitrates, ammonium nitrate, organic nitrates, and the like, at temperatures below 480°F to produce compositions which are capable of being molded into specific shapes or used in a powdered form as a gunpowder substitute, an explosive or a propellent when properly ignited.
• the products of the present invention are surprisingly stable in air, do not easily detonate, if at all, and have measured flash point temperatures in excess of 480°F.
• the powdered product is, however, capable of being ignited by conventional priming compositions and procedures, when used as a gunpowder substitute, particularly when * used as a replacement for black powder in a wide variety of black powder arms.
• the reaction products when properly contained, can be ignited by a hot wire or consumable powder ignitor and utilized as an explosive.
• the products when formulated in a plastic state, as a compressed shape or as a dry powder, provide charges which are useful as a substitute for black powder in various applications, such as small or large bore ammunition or in propellent applications such as a solid propellents for rockets or for toy rockets or other firework applications, or as an aqueous based liquid fuel when dissolved in water, or in water-alcohol mixtures.
• these acids and salts contain six carbon atoms where a carboxylic acid group is either terminal or attached to the carbon atom adjacent an oxygen bond " which bridges at least two carbon atoms which are bonded with a double bond.
• these two carbon atoms typically are also each bonded to hydroxyl moieties. Also typically at least one additional carbon atom is also attached to a hydroxyl moiety.
• the salts also typically contain water of hydration. According to the present invention, these kinds of molecules can be utilized in the composition of the present invention which includes added nitrate compounds to produce the advantages of the present invention which will be more fully described hereinafter.
• the compositions of the present invention can be obtained by utilizing commercially available compounds, as previously described, and more preferably by utilizing ascorbic acid, an alkali metal ascorbate, erythorbic acid, or an alkali metal salt thereof, and a wide variety of mixtures thereof, as described hereinafter.
• the nitrates used may be ground or otherwise reduced in size to facilitate their use in the described process, or may be used in a liquid form.
• the reactants are utilized in a roughly three to one ratio wherein the nitrate containing chemical compound is used in a proportion by weight of up to about three times the proportion by weight of the organic acid or salt.
• the salts of the class of organic acids described herein can be used in a similar manner with some adjustment of conditions being required due to the water of hydration normally present with the salt.
• Fig. 1 shows sodium erythorbate alone and the superimposed dot and dash line represents the change that occurs after heating the mixture three times with cooling between heats.
• Example 1 Initially six (6) parts by weight of KNO-. (Potassium Nitrate) and four (4) parts by weight of short cellulosic fibers obtained from James River Corporation (commercial designation K S 1016) are slurried together in sufficient water to form a uniform slurry or paste. Six (6) parts by weight of KNO_ and four (4) parts by weight of ascorbic acid (Pharmaceutical grade obtained from Hoffman-LaRoche
• each of the component parts is accomplished by first dissolving the KNO, completely
• CMPI each time before adding the second constituent of each part, adding further water if necessary. It is also desirable to use lukewarm water to facilitate dissolution though that is not essential to successfully prepare the final product.
• the mixed components are either freeze dried or dried at room temperature or at an ele ' vated temperature as desired. If an elevated temperature is selected, it is important that the temperature be controlled to prevent the dried mixture from exceeding a temperature of approximately 480°F. During the drying process, when elevated temperatures are employed, typically a color change will occur and the dry mixture will take on a color ranging from beige to dark brown. The mixture thus prepared may be used as a black powder substitute.
• Example II The dried mixture of Example I can be packed into a mold, shaped, and, under a preselected pressure, sized to produce a caseless cartridge or a solid totally consumable cartridge. The dry powder can then be subjected to between 10,000 lbs. per square inch and 50,000 lbs. per square inch to produce a molded product, if desired.
• a heated mold again maintained at a temperature such that the temperature of the mixed constituents do not exceed a temperature of about 480°F, and preferably in the range of from 300°F to 400°F.
• the heating of the mold facilitates the flow and proper compaction of the mixture during the forming process and aids in the production of a consumable cartridge case or consumable cartridge which exhibits the required physical properties for its use in either form.
• OMPI produces a sturdy cartridge case without deleteriously affecting the burning properties of the composition.
• a conventional projectile may be seated into the end of the caseless cartridge utilizing a suitable sealing adhesive.
• any conventional acetone based adhesive such as Duco Brand cement or modelers cement can be used as well as casein based adhesives, polyester adhesives, epoxy adhesives or the like. It is only important in the selection and use of such adhesives that a seal is produced which will withstand the rigors of normal handling as well as providing no deleterious effect during the combustion of the case or cartridge.
• the selection of a suitable adhesive for any particular application can be made without undo experimentation.
• the resultant case and projectile when properly supplied with a primer which can be affixed in a manner similar to the projectile when received in a primer pocket provided in the case for that purpose or molded into the compressed cartridge case, will function in the same manner as a conven ⁇ tional cartridge case, powder and projectile com ⁇ bination, and will perform, without leaving significant residue in the bore of the weapon and with similar and with some formulations superior ballistic performance over that obtained from conventional ammunition.
• the cartridge case with an integral or conventional primer and with the projectile adhesively applied can then coated externally, if desired, with a water repellent resin such as fluid silicone such as Dow Corning 1107 fluid which has been catalyzed with Dow Corning XY 176 catalyst to provide a smooth water repellent exterior surface for the combined structure.
• a water repellent resin such as fluid silicone such as Dow Corning 1107 fluid which has been catalyzed with Dow Corning XY 176 catalyst to provide a smooth water repellent exterior surface for the combined structure.
• the cartridge should, of course, conform in physical dimensions to the planned use for the cartridge with the integral primer or conventional primer and primer pocket cup and the projectile receiving end of the cartridge being
• Example III The composition of " Example I may also be formed under pressure as described in Example II into a cartridge case into which a primer pocket is formed as described and a projectile can be received as described and where in addition the walls of the cartridge are formed so as to provide an open space from the projec ⁇ tile end of the cartridge to the exposed primer so that the space provided can be used to contain a power or propellent of choice other than the solid formed consumable cartridge.
• the powder of choice may be selected from conventional gun powders or even use the powder formulations of the present invention to achieve the desired burning rate, chamber pressures and ballistic performance.
• Example IV The composition of Example I is prepared substi ⁇ tuting erythorbic acid in place of ascorbic acid to achieve the same results described.
• Example V The dried mixture of Example IV can be packed into a mold, shaped, and sized to produce a caseless cartridge or a solid totally consumable cartridge, as described in Example II.
• the resultant case and projectile when properly primed, will function in the same manner as a conventional primer cartridge case, powder and projectile combination, which after firing will leave no significant residue in the bore of the weapon and with similar if not superior ballistic performance.
• OMFI Example VI A 200 gram dry mixture of 62 parts by weight of potassium nitrate, 34 parts by weight of ascorbic acid and 4 parts by weight of technical grade sodium erythorbate is slurried in about 60 ml of distilled water. The slurry is then heated at a temperature above about 320°F and under 480°F. As the mixture is heated it is frequently stirred to insure thorough heating. During the heating, water vapor is evolved from the heated mixture. As the mixture dries, it will exhibit a color change from white to beige to a darker brown shade. Under some circumstances, some carbonization will occur which should be minimized but normally if not significantly will not deleterious effect the properties of the final product.
• the mixture When the mixture has dried during heating without excessive carbonization, it is cooled to room temperature. If properly heated and cooled, the mixture when cool will be hard and brittle. The mixture is then ground and screened to a preselected size, for example by successive screening to 45 mesh. The cooling, grinding and screening is preferably conducted in a low humidity atmosphere. This product can then be utilized directly on an equal volume and equal weight basis as a substitute for conventional black powder or black powder substitutes.
• Example VII The process of Example VI is repeated using erythorbic acid in place of ascorbic acid.
• Example VIII The process of Example VI is repeated using sodium erythorbate in place of ascorbic acid.
• Example IX The process of Example VI is repeated using sodium ascorbate in place of ascorbic acid.
• Example X The process of Example VI is repeated using 38 parts by weight of a 50-50 mixture of erythorbic acid and sodium erythorbate.
• Example XI The process of Example VI is repeated using 38 parts by weight of a 75-25 mixture of erythorbic acid and sodium ascorbate.
• Example XII The process of Example VI is repeated using 38 parts by weight of a 50-50 mixture of ascorbic acid and sodium erythorbate.
• Example XIII The process of Example VI is repeated using 38 parts by weight of a 75-25 mixture of ascorbic acid and sodium erythorbate.
• Example XVII A 200gm mixture containing 75% by weight KNO_ and 25% by weight sodium erythorbate was slurried in 60ml of water and heated with stirring in an open container in an oil bath at 320°F. During the heating process, the mixture undergoes several visable changes. At first the slurry appears to lose water and becomes stiffer to stir. Further heating produces a products with a taffy-like consistency that can be molded under pressure into predetermined shapes. Still further heating produces an expansion of the product into a friable mass which, when cool, can be ground or otherwise reduced to a powder for use or subsequent processing.
• the ground powder at a mesh size of from between about 20 mesh to 45 mesh can be used as a substitute
• black powder with physical properties which will produce from between about 900 fps to about 1600 fps from a Sharps muzzle loading rifle using a charge equivalent in volume to the specifications for black powder.
• composition can be made to undergo further reaction by heating the powder again to a temperature from between about 300°F to about 400°F until the powder has melted or begun to soften suffi ⁇ ciently to be further mixed. The subsequently heated
• the method according to the present invention using the nitrates and organic acids or salts previously described can be mixed together under preselected temperatures and pressures in an extruder to produce a friable solid which can be ground
• a suitable extruder either single or double screw,
• the KNO-. As previously described, up to approximately 75% by weight of the KNO-. can be utilized in the process described herein, and up to 50% by weight of ascorbic or erythorbic acid or the salts thereof or mixtures thereof, or with other constituent materials not deleterious to the results sought.
• the total weight of oxidizer and either one or a mixture of both acids or salts will be the reference and the proportion of oxidizer and acid to that total is calculated as either the acid or an acid salt. From the examples, it can be seen that other materials, such as short cellulosic fibers, nylon, polyester or other manmade fibers, can be encorporated in an amount found to be suitable for the described handling, forming and com ⁇ bustion characteristics.
• compositions of the present invention it has been discovered that the preferred proportions of the acid component during the process conditions previously described, can vary between about 25% to 50% by weight as described and the nitrate oxidizer component employed can be used in amounts of from about 50% to 75% by weight and still achieve the beneficial results described. Different performance characteristics may be desired for different applications and the compositions may be adjusted and tested without undue experimentation to achieve the results sought.
• composition of the present invention prepared as described, will produce a'combustible mixture which has the utilities described.
• the products of the heating step comprise a complex mixture of compounds which may include decomposition products of the starting organic compounds, condensation products and unreacted starting materials which in combination produce the desired results.
• the products of the present invention have been found to resist detonation and have a flash point above 480°F, making them easier to handle, store and transport than conventional gun powders and explosives.
• Tests involving the final product of Examples VI through XVII can be conducted by utilizing a conventional blasting cap without detonation of the powder.
• similar compositions in a contained charge have been immersed in an oil bath at about 510°F for 3 hours without incident and without deterioration of the explosive properties of the product.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
• Air Bags (AREA)

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• 1984
  • 1984-10-10 EP EP19840904026 patent/EP0203061A4/fr not_active Withdrawn
  • 1984-10-10 WO PCT/US1984/001647 patent/WO1986002347A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1984-10-10 JP JP50399784A patent/JPS62500516A/ja active Pending
• 1986
  • 1986-06-09 DK DK271486A patent/DK271486A/da not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1986-06-09 FI FI862453A patent/FI862453A/fi not_active Application Discontinuation

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