US3634156A - Ymerically thickened incendiary compositions containing aluminum compounds - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A thickened incendiary composition having a gellike consistency comprising from about 80 to 98 percent of an aluminum compound of the formula: AIRxH3 x WHERE R is an alkyl group and x is an integer ranging from 1 to 3, and from 2 to 20 percent of a hydrocarbon polymer gelling agent. 8. The method of producing a conflagration which comprises dispersing an incendiary composition comprising from about 80 to 98 percent of an aluminum compound of the formula: A1RxH3 x WHEREIN R is an alkyl group and x is an integer ranging from 1 to 3, and from 2 to 20 percent of a hydrocarbon polymer gelling agent compatible and nonreactive with said aluminum compound and free of active hydrogen.

Description

United States atent [72] Inventor Davis M. Batson Baton Rouge, La. [21] Appl. No. 123,922 [22] Filed June 26,1961 [45] Patented Jan. 11, 1972 Ethyl Corporation New York, N.Y.

[73] Assignee [54] POLYMERICALLY THICKENED INCENDIARY COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING ALUMINUM COMPOUNDS 11 Claims, No Drawings [52] U.S. Cl 149/87, 44/7, 149/19, 149/20, 149/22 [51] Int. Cl C101 11/00 [50] Field of Search 60/354;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,765,329 10/1956 Lindsey 149/87 X 2,935,839 5/1960 Beatty et all. 60/35.4 2,530,493 11/1950 Van Loenen 149/87 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,083,591 6/1960 Germany Primary Examiner-Benjamin R. Padgett Artorney- Donald L. Johnson CLAIM: l. A thickened incendiary composition having a gellike consistency comprising from about 80 to 98 percent of an aluminum compound of the formula:

IH-H- where R is an alkyl group and x is an integer ranging from 1 to 3, and from 2 to 20 percent ofa hydrocarbon polymer gelling agent.

8. The method of producing a conflagration which comprises dispersing an incendiary composition comprising from about 80 to 98 percent of an aluminum compound of the formula:

I -LH wherein R is an alkyl group and x is an integer ranging from 1 to, 3, and from 2 to 20 percent of a hydrocarbon polymer gelling agent compatible and nonreactive with said aluminum compound and free of active hydrogen.

POLYMERICALLY THICKENED INCENDIARY COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING ALUMINUM COMPOUNDS This invention relates to incendiary compositions. In another aspect, this invention relates to incendiary units and to a method of dispersing incendiary compositions thereby producing an effective conflagration.

Incendiary compositions such as contained in fire bombs, fire rockets, or ejected from flame throwers, now generally in use, are ignited by means of a fuse, a spark, or some other external mechanism. The ignition process may be commenced when the incendiary is propelled or released from the source or the ignition mechanism may be actuated when the projectile strikes the target. While these ignition techniques have achieved a degree of success, they are subject to malfunction and the incendiary composition may not ignite and, thus, is totally ineffective.

Current incendiary compositions consist mainly of gelled or thickened gasoline. While this material is usually quite flammable, it must be independently ignited and often does not burn completely. Upon striking the target, only that portion remaining in the area of ignition will burn. Because of its relatively high volatility, the unburned gasoline will quickly vaporize and thus preclude any possibility of future ignition. Moreover, the burning of these compositions is not very intense and may be extinguished or otherwise rendered ineffective for the purpose intended.

Another shortcoming with current incendiary compositions, and particularly those ejected from equipment such as a flame thrower, is the extremely short range. Even when ejected under high pressure and, therefore, at high velocities, the incendiary composition, ignited as it leaves the flame thrower, is completely burned within a relatively short range from the source. Thus, the use of this type equipment is limited to extremely short range applications.

Accordingly, it is the broad aim of this invention to provide an incendiary composition of extremely high reliability, possessing properties so as to produce a more intense and effective conflagration than heretofore possible. More specifically, an object of this invention is to provide an incendiary composition which is self-igniting, which burns with an intense flame, and which is extremely difficult to extinguish. Another object of this invention is to provide an incendiary composition of low volatility. Still another object is to provide a self-igniting, incendiary composition with a delayed ignition thereby increasing the effective range of instrumentalities such as flame throwers. Still another object of this invention is to provide a self-igniting incendiary unit which can be propelled or ejected from a simplified weapon with a much greater degree of safety to the operator. Still another object is to provide a method of producing an intense, wide-spread, and effective conflagration.

The objects of this invention are accomplished by providing a self-igniting incendiary composition containing varying percentages of aluminum compounds. More specifically, the compounds contemplated are the alkyl and alkyl hydride aluminums, hereinafter referred to simply as aluminum alkyls. The compounds have the formula:

where R is an alkyl group containing from one to four carbon atoms, and x is an integer ranging from I to 3. In a preferred embodiment, R is a lower alkyl group containing up to three carbon atoms and x is equal to 2 or 3. These materials are more reactive than the higher alkyls and thus assure maximum effectiveness. The most preferred embodiment comprises a composition of from 90 to 100 percent triethylaluminum and from zero to percent diethylaluminum hydride. This composition is preferred because it is of intermediate reactivity, volatility, and stability and is relatively economical to manufacture.

The compounds which are useful in the incendiary compositions of this invention include trimethylaluminum, dimethylaluminum hydride, methylaluminum dihydride, triethylaluminum, diethylaluminum hydride, ethylaluminum dihydride, tripropylaluminum, dipropylaluminum hydride, propylaluminum dihydride, tributylaluminum, dibutylaluminum hydride, butylaluminum dihydride, triisobutylaluminum, diisobutylaluminum hydride, isobutylaluminum dihydride. The higher alkyl derivatives including the amyl and hexyl compounds and aromatic derivatives such as the phenyl, tolyl, xylyl, etc. compounds of aluminum can also be used, especially as diluents and to impart certain characteristics to the aluminum alkyl mixture.

In one aspect of this invention, the above-described aluminum compounds are used in their pure form. Preferably, the aluminum alkyls are in admixture with other combustible materials which act as diluents and which improve the overall properties of the incendiary mixture. Thus, in another embodiment of this invention, I provide an incendiary composition comprising from about to 98 weight percent of aluminum alkyls and from about 2 to 20 weight percent of a diluent which is itself combustible.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, I provide thickened or gelled incendiary compositions. Such compositions comprise from about 80 to 98 percent aluminum alkyls and from about 2 to 20 weight percent of a thickening agent which itself is preferably combustive. For many applications such compositions are superior to pure or diluted aluminum alkyls and, therefore, comprise the most preferred compositions of this invention.

In still another aspect of this invention, I provide various articles as instrumentalities of producing and spreading a conflagration. In a broad sense, these comprise impact frangible shells filled with the above-described incendiary compositions. The filled shells may be propelled and directed to strike a target and upon impact therewith, the shell bursts releasing the incendiary compositions which upon contact with air spontaneously ignite.

In another aspect of this invention, I provide a method of producing a conflagration which comprises dispersing a diluted or thickened incendiary composition as described above in or over a target area.

The aluminum alkyls are ideally suited as incendiary materials for upon contact with air they spontaneously ignite and burn with an intense flame. Therefore, the igniting mechanism, which is required with prior art incendiaries, is eliminated. Concentrated aluminum alkyls also react with water to give a violent and sometimes explosive reaction. The compounds also react with other compounds containing active hydrogen such as alcohols, amines, organic and inorganic acids, and to some extent with materials such as paper and cloth. Therefore, the application of my incendiary compositions is not restricted to an air media, and the compounds can be used in a wide variety of applications with maximum reliability and effectiveness.

Although the density of the aluminum alkyls is generally greater than common prior art incendiary materials such as gasoline, it is desirable in most applications to use a thickened or gelled incendiary composition. In this form the compositions are much more apt to adhere to the intended target. Also, by the addition of various thickening agents and/or diluents, the ignition delay period of the aluminum alkyls may be altered so as to obtain the desired duration. Moreover, in applications such as a flame thrower, a thickened composition may be propelled over a much longer distance.

Depending upon the specific application, my incendiary compositions may be in different forms. The consistency of the mixture may vary from a mobile fluid to a highly thickened gel. The consistency of my compositions is varied by including up to about 20 percent of other materials used as diluents or thickeners. Amounts of the diluents and/or thickeners in much greater concentration than the above limit impairs the ignition properties of the incendiary compositions.

The materials referred to as diluents may be added to the aluminum alkyls to serve a variety of purposes. By selection of the proper diluent, a resulting aluminum alkyl composition may be obtained that has optimum properties with respect to density, volatility, reactivity, ignition delay characteristics, adherent properties, etc. and in many cases provides a more economical mixture. Broadly, any material which is compatible and does not react with the aluminum alkyls may be used as a diluent. It is preferably that the material to be used as a diluent is itself capable of combustion when heated to its kindling temperature. The materials useable as diluents include hydrocarbons, finely divided metals, natural and synthetic rubber, and organometallic compounds, preferably those not containing reactive functional groups, and not containing oxygen or reactive hydrogen. More specifically, petroleum derived hydrocarbons such as gasoline, kerosene, tar, asphalt, petroleum jelly, heavy lubricating oil, mineral oil, etc. are useable. Metals such as iron, magnesium, aluminum, zinc, boron, lithium, sodium, etc. in a finely divided state or their organic compounds such as diethylzinc, tributyl borine, may be used. Other organometallic compounds may also be used especially those containing a cyclomatic radical such as dicyclopentadienyl iron, methylcyclopentadienyl manganese, dicyclopentadienyl manganese, etc. Other metallic compounds may be included in the compositions, especially sodium hydride, sodium aluminum hydride, sodium borohydride, lithium borohydride, or any of the sodium alkali metal hydrides, aluminum hydrides, or borohydrides. These normally solid compounds are partially soluble in the aluminum alkyls. The higher alkyl and aromatic compounds of aluminum such as tripentylaluminum, trihexylaluminum, triphenylaluminum, etc. may also be included as diluents. These materials are much less reactive than the lower alkyls and thus may be employed to obtain a less reactive, more controllable incendiary composition. Thus, in another embodiment, l provide incendiary compositions comprising from about 80 to 98 percent of an aluminum compound having the formula:

I Q-I wherein R is a lower alkyl group and x is an integer ranging from 1 to 3, from 2 to percent of a diluent selected from the class consisting of hydrocarbons, metals, organometallics and metal hydrides.

While diluted aluminum alkyls are suitable for a variety of applications, in many cases I prefer to use thickened or gelled compositions. These compositions are characterized in that they have a jellylike consistency rather than being merely a viscous solution as in the case of my diluted compositions. While in a sense the gelled compositions may be referred to as being diluted, they have distinct properties quite apart from the diluted compositions discussed above. The gelled compositions are quite viscous and have certain elastic properties. Thus they perform better in adhering to the intended target, have extremely low volatility and tend to remain integral rather than disintegrating as a mist when propelled through the air. In preparing such compositions, as the concentration of the gelling agent is increased, the consistency of the resulting gel is increased. Gels may be prepared which have properties that vary from a loose agglomeration when using a few percent of the gelling agent to almost a solid material when relatively large proportions of about 20 percent of the gelling agent are used. For many applications, using the gelling agent in a concentration of from about 4 to 12 percent provides an ideal consistency. Broadly, any gelling agent that is not reactive with the aluminum alkyls may be used for this purpose. Suitable materials for use as gelling agents include hydrocarbon polymers, usually polymerized olefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polyisobutylene, polybutadiene, isobutylene-styrene copolymer; polymerized aromatic materials such as polystyrene, polyvinyl styrene, etc.; natural and synthetic rubber, latex rubber, gum rubber, etc. Also, other materials which in themselves are not true gelling agents may be included in the compositions to aid the gelling process. The hydrides of sodium, boron, lithium, or any of the sodium alkali metal hydrides, aluminum hydrides, or borohydrides may be included in my compositions. These normally solid materials are partially soluble in aluminum alkyls and have a tendency to crystallize as flakes or needlelike crystals thus promoting a gelled mixture. Moreover, these hydrides are in themselves reactive and combustive. Also, small amounts of other materials such as solvents may be used along with the gelling agents to aid the formation of the gelled composition. These include the aliphatic solvents such as pentane, hexane, heptane, isohexane, etc. and also aromatic solvents such as benzene, toluene, xylene, etc. The solvent may be allowed to remain in the composition, or after gelation, it may be distilled off. Aromatic solvents aid in swelling the polymeric fibers thereby forming a more compact gel and thus are preferred solvents. Thus, in another embodiment of this invention, I provide a thickened incendiary composition having a gellike consistency comprising from about to 98 percent of an aluminum alkyl compound of the formula:

AlR, .H

wherein R is a lower alkyl group and x is an integer ranging from 1 to 3, and from 2 to 20 percent of a hydrocarbon polymer selected from the class consisting of polymerized.

olefins, polymerized aromatic-olefins, natural and synthetic rubber.

My compositions are useable in a wide number of military applications. I provide tailor made" mixtures of aluminum alkyls which are ideal for military incendiary use, specifically for wide swath spraying from guided drones or low-flying aircraft, for antipersonnel or antimaterial applications. The compositions may also be used in fire bombs, fire rockets, in the form of frangible capsules or spheres propelled from devices such as a compressed gas gun or mortar which could launch a package of such capsules. Aluminum alkyl compositions are also ideally suited as flame thrower fuels. The compositions of this invention are self-igniting, producing a higher flame temperature than normally used materials such as gelled gasoline and, in addition, cause both chemical and thermal injuries to personnel. My compositions are also amenable to nonmilitary applications such as aerial spraying and aerial bombs to start backfires to control forest fires in relatively inaccessible areas; as flares either of the stationary type or discharged from a hand pistol as aerial flares, etc.

When the incendiary compositions are to be encased in a fire bomb, a rocket bomb or to be propelled in capsule form, there is a greater latitude as to the consistency of the mixture. If a more adherent incendiary and a localized and concentrated flame is desired, a highly thickened composition is preferably employed. For a composition that is subject to wider dispersion, the relatively mobile pure alkyls are preferably used.

When my compositions are to be dispersed from a flame thrower or low-flying aircraft, it is preferable that the compositions have a gelled or thickened consistency. When used in this form, the composition may be propelled a much longer distance and with a much greater degree of accuracy. Moreover, including thickeners or diluents serves to lengthen the ignition delay period so that only a minimum amount of the incendiary will be burned by the time it reaches the intended target.

Many benefits accrue from the use of the incendiary compositions of this invention which were heretofore not obtainable. One important advantage is that the compositions are selfigniting when exposed to air. Accordingly, the independent ignition mechanism of current incendiaries is obviated, thereby precluding any failure of the ignition mechanism.

Another important advantage of my compositions is that upon exposure to air, there is a certain delay period before self-ignition takes place. The ignition delay period varies with different aluminum alkyl compounds. For example, the ignition delay period for trimethylaluminum is much shorter than for a higher alkyl such as tributylaluminum. Moreover, the ignition delay period may be altered by including other materials in the incendiary composition. Gelled or diluted aluminum alkyls have longer ignition delay periods than do the pure compounds. Thus, a tailor made composition is available with various ignition delay periods. In this manner the effective range of instrumentalities such as flarne throwers can be increased, and only a minor part of the fuel will be burned before reaching the intended target.

Another advantage in using my compositions is that they are less volatile than currently used materials for this purpose. The aluminum alkyls will not evaporate as readily as gasoline and thus the material will burn on the surface of the target, thereby providing maximum effectiveness. The aluminum alkyls burn vigorously with an extremely hot flame and are, therefore, much more difficult to extinguish than conventional incendiaries. My compositions also burn with a cleaner flame, with a minimum of smoke, thereby making it difficult to locate and extinguish the material.

The inherent properties of the aluminum alkyls make possible the use of more simplified weapons or instrumentalities to propel or eject the incendiary compositions. The weapon may be more compact and mobile than heretofore possible, thereby allowing the operator greater flexibility and movement.

My compositions are amenable to a great variety of specific applications. The compositions are ideally suited to be incorporated into incendiary bombs to be dropped from aircraft. The bombs comprise an impact frangible shell filled with the incendiary compositions. By impact frangible shell is meant that when the bomb strikes the target, the shell will fracture or shatter, thereby releasing the incendiary materials. Since aluminum alkyls do not react with glass and metals such as steel, brass, and copper, and plastics such as polyethylene, polybutylene, polystyrene, etc., a thin shell made of any of these materials is suitable for this application. The fire bomb may be of relatively large size so as to concentrate the conflagration in a localized area or a series of smaller bomblets may be dropped over a comparatively large area.

An example of the incendiary bomb provided by this invention comprises a sheet-steel shell having a ballistic configuration tapering down to a forward nose section which is constructed of heavy steel to facilitate penetration into the intended target. The rear portion of the shell terminates in a tail assembly which includes an opening through which the shell is filled with the incendiary composition, and fins to stabilize the flight of the bomb and thus improve accuracy. Appropriate means such as a threaded plug are used to seal the opening after filling. The bomb may be jettisoned from an aircraft singly or it may be in a cluster from which individual bombs are released during the descent. The above-described incendiary bomb is designed to fracture due to its own momentum when it strikes the target, thereby releasing its content. Alternatively, the bomb may be equipped with any of the wellknown types of bursting charges for fragmenting the bomb shell and thereby forcefully expelling the incendiary composition. A fuse designed to function instantaneously upon impact or with a delayed action is incorporated into the nose section to ignite a small charge of explosive material such as gun powder also contained therein. The igniting mechanism may also be designed to fire while the bomb is in flight prior to striking target.

Alternatively, aerosol-type bombs may be employed. With such mechanisms, the incendiary composition is under pressure of an inert material such as nitrogen or argon. A release valve with an opening mechanism actuated either upon releasing the bomb or when the bomb strikes the target, may be incorporated therein. Since the aluminum alkyls are highly pressurized, the effective area of destruction is comparatively enlarged.

A fire bomb may also be used in a ground-to-ground application, i.e., it may be propelled by a rocket, a vehicle-mounted or stationary mortar, or by a small hand weapon such as a rifle or a pistol, or it may be of the grenade type and thrown by hand. The size and construction of the frangible shell is varied to meet the requirements of the specific application.

Another example of the incendiary units provided by this invention is a mortar-type shell filled with my incendiary compositions. The ballistic shell is designed so as to fracture on impact or a small explosive charge with a fuse mechanism is incorporated into the nose section. The fuse mechanism may be actuated on impact or prior to the shell striking the target.

My incendiary compositions may also be contained in a capsule so as to be propelled from a small hand weapon. For such an application a more frangible shell is required so as to assure fracture upon impact with the target. The capsule may be propelled by a compressed gas gun or other suitable means.

The incendiary compositions of this invention may also be incorporated into a fire bomb to be thrown manually. The fire bomb is designed to fracture when it strikes the target or a small explosive charge may be used to accomplish this end. As an example of such an instrumentality, a glass bottle may be utilized and adapted to be filled with an incendiary composition and sealed. The bomb is thrown manually and upon impact with the target shatters and spills its contents thereon.

As another example, the incendiary composition is incorporated into an otherwise conventional hand grenade. Thus, an instrumentality is provided which combines the desirable aspects of the explosion and shrapnel of the conventional hand grenade and the incendiary properties of a fire bomb. Such a hand bomb comprises a steel shell with two separate compartmentsone to contain a conventional explosive charge and the other filled with my incendiary composition. A firing means such as a pin with a delay fuse is incorporated into the bomb and is manually actuated when the bomb is thrown. Alternatively, the firing mechanism may be designed so as to fire on impact with the target.

My compositions may also be ejected or sprayed from a flame thrower or low-flying planes or guided missiles, etc. In these applications an incendiary mixture is under pressure of an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon or it may be ejected by a positive displacement piston. A composition may be formulated with the proper ignition delay period so as to ignite at the optimum time.

EXAMPLE 1 A mixture was prepared of equal volumes of a rubber cement and triethylaluminum. The rubber cement contained about 16 percent rubber dissolved in toluene. The mixture contained 69 parts of triethylaluminum and 73 parts of cement. A slight reaction with some heating was observed upon mixing the two components, presumably due to moisture in the cement. Approximately 66 parts (92 percent) of the solvent was distilled off at 100 mm. of mercury pressure and C. The final mixture had a thick, viscous appearance and contained approximately 15 percent rubber and percent triethylaluminum.

A 200 ml. sample of the above composition was placed in a glass flask and broken at the bottom of a heavy sheet iron tray. The tray was about 3 feet square and of 10 gauge sheet iron and was propped up at an almost vertical angle of about 80. The flask was suspended on a string so as to swing as a pendulum and strike the bottom of the tray and break on impact. The major portion of the triethylaluminum-rubber mixture adhered to the metal and ignited after a delay of 2 or 3 seconds. Only that portion of the mixture which adhered to the larger pieces of broken glass dropped to burn on the lower part of the tray.

EXAMPLE ii A 200 ml. portion of the incendiary composition of example I was placed in a 435 ml. pressure vessel and pressurized to 500 p.s.i. with nitrogen. The mixture was ejected through a 28 inch length of %-inch steel tubing drawn down at the end to a tapering tip with an opening of three thirty-seconds inch. A blunt needle valve was used to control the liquid flow. it was observed that the liquid stream did not break up and remained rather compact. After a few seconds of flight, the stream ignited producing a large, hot flame.

As a modification of the above-described procedure, the pressure vessel was fitted with a safety head incorporating a frangible disc to release the liquid mixture rather than attempting to open the valve by hand. The frangible disc was three-quarter inch in diameter with a rating of 530 p.s.i.s which opened through a %-inch gate valve into a 20 inch length of %-inch thin wall steel tubing. The nozzle opening was approximately 0.166 inch. As the nitrogen pressure was increased above 530 p.s.i., the frangible disc burst and the incendiary composition was ejected through the nozzle. A rather compact stream was observed which ignited after a few seconds of flight. The overall range using this method was considerably increased.

The foregoing examples demonstrate important properties which make my compositions well suited for incendiary applications. Example l demonstrates that the compositions are self-igniting, producing a vigorous flame. Moreover, the material adheres to an almost vertical target thereby resulting in maximum effectiveness. The compositions are well suited to be contained in a frangible container as a fire bomb, fire rocket, as capsules to be discharged from a small hand weapon, etc.

Example ll demonstrates that there is a delay period prior to self-ignition. Thus, in a flame throwing application, the incendiary composition may be propelled for a considerable distance and strike the target prior to ignition. This is in contrast to current methods wherein the incendiary material is ignited as it is ejected from the flame thrower and a major portion is completely burned prior to reaching the intended target.

Additional examples, illustrative but not limiting the scope of this invention, follow.

EXAMPLE III A sample of coal tar was extracted free of solids with benzene. The solid residue was discarded. The extracted coal tar, dissolved in benzene, was mixed with triethylaluminum containing about percent rubber. The benzene was extracted at a reduced pressure of about 100 ml. and a maximum temperature of about 85 C. The resulting composition contained about 9 percent rubber and 20 percent asphalt and had the appearance of a thick, viscous material. A fire bomb is prepared by filling a frangible sheet metal container with the mixture followed by sealing. Upon being dropped from an airplane, the bomb bursts thereby releasing the incendiary composition which upon contact with air spontaneously ignites. The incendiary composition of this example is also suitable for use in a flame throwing application.

EXAMPLE lV Triethylaluminum is mixed with polybutadiene so as to be in a concentration of 85 weight percent. The resulting mixture is a viscous, gelled material having somewhat elastic properties. This material is suitable for a flame throwing application as in example II.

EXAMPLE V A mixture comprising 10 percent diethylaluminum hydride, 73 percent triethylaluminum, 10 percent sodium aluminum hydride, and 7 percent rubber is prepared. The resulting mixture is a viscous material and is suitable for a fire bomb or flame throwing application.

EXAMPLE VI A mixture containing 30 percent triphenylaluminum and 70 percent trimethylaluminum is prepared. This composition is suitable in a fire bomb application.

EXAMPLE Vll A mixture containing 90 percent triethylaluminum and 10 percent diethylaluminum hydride is prepared. This composition is suitable for use in a fire bomb application.

g 7 EXAMPLE V"! A 50-50 mixture of triethylaluminum and tributylaluminum is added to kerosene so as to be present in a concentration of weight percent. This composition is suitable for use in a fire bomb or flame throwing application. However, when using this material, the effective range of the flame thrower is considerably shorter as compared to using thickened or gelled aluminum alkyls.

EXAMPLE IX A 90-10 mixture of triethylaluminum and ethylaluminum dihydride is mixed with a rubber solution so as to be present in a concentration of weight percent. Small frangible capsules are filled with this mixture and sealed. The capsules are suitable to be ejected from a small hand weapon. Upon striking the target the capsules rupture, thereby releasing the incendiary composition which upon contact with air spontaneously ignites.

EXAMPLE X A mixture is prepared containing 80 percent triethylaluminum, 5 percent rubber, 5 percent finely divided magnesium and 10 percent sodium borohydride. This mixture is suitable in a fire bomb application.

In addition to the above specific embodiments, many other applications of my compositions and articles of manufacture will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Besides other miscellaneous applications such as booby traps and clandestine devices, my compositions may be used in land mines, or rocket projectiles, and fire starters in general. My incendiary compositions may also be used for nonmilitary purposes. Fire bombs or aerial spraying may be effectively used to start backfires in fighting forest fires. Another application is the use of my incendiary applications as flares. These may be of the stationary type or may be discharged from a hand pistol as aerial flares.

The aluminum alkyls are well-known compounds. Methods for their preparation can be found in any standard texts including Organometallic Compounds," by G. E. Coates, 1960, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, New York; Organic Chemistry by P. Karrer, 1950, Elsivier Publishing Company, New York, New York, etc.

I claim:

ll. A thickened incendiary composition having a gellike consistency comprising from about 80 to 98 percent of an aluminum compound of the formula:

AlR,l-i where R is an alkyl group and x is an integer ranging from 1 to 3, and from 2 to 20 percent of a hydrocarbon polymer gelling agent.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbon polymer gelling agent is selected from the class consisting of polymerized aliphatic olefins, polymerized aromatic olefins, natural rubber and synthetic rubber.

3. The composition of claim 1 additionally containing a gelling adjuvant selected from the class consisting of sodium hydride, boron hydride, lithium hydride, an alkali metal hydride, aluminum hydride and aluminum borohydride. and a solvent selected from the class consisting of lower aliphatic hydrocarbons and lower aromatic hydrocarbons.

4. The composition of claim l in which said aluminum compound is triethylaluminum.

5. The composition of claim 11 wherein said aluminum compound is triethylaluminum and said gelling agent is polyethylene.

e. The composition of claim ll wherein said aluminum compound is triethylaiuminum and said gelling agent is polyisobutylene.

7. The composition of claim ll wherein said aluminum compound is triethylaluminum and said gelling agent is polybutadiene.

8. The method of producing a conflagration which comprises dispersing an incendiary composition comprising from about 80 to 98 percent of an aluminum compound of the formula:

AlR,,l-! wherein R is an alkyl group and x is an integer ranging from I to 3, and from 2 to 20 percent of a hydrocarbon polymer gelling agent compatible and nonreactive with said aluminum compound and free of active hydrogen.

9. The method of claim 8 in which said hydrocarbon polymer is selected from the group consisting of polymerized aliphatic olefins, polymerized aromatic olefins, natural rubber and synthetic rubber.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said incendiary composition additionally contains a gelling adjuvant selected from the class consisting of sodium hydride, boron hydride, lithium hydride, an alkali metal hydride, aluminum hydride and aluminum borohydride and a solvent selected from the class consisting of lower aliphatic hydrocarbons and lower aromatic hydrocarbons.

11. The method of producing a conflagration which comprises dispersing an incendiary composition comprising from about to 98 percent of triethylaluminum and from 2 to 20 percent of a hydrocarbon polymer compatible and nonreactive with said triethylaluminum and free of active hydrogen.

Claims (11)

1. A THICKENED INCENDIARY COMPOSITION HAVING A GELLIKE CONSISTENCY COMPRISING FROM ABOUT 80 TO 98 PERCENT OF AN ALUMINUM COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA: AL-RX(H)3-X WHERE R IS AN ALLKYL GROUP AND X IS AN INTEGER RANGING FROM 1 TO 3, AND FROM 2 TO 20 PERCENT OF A HYDROCARBON POLYMER GELLING AGENT.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbon polymer gelling agent is selected from the class consisting of polymerized aliphatic olefins, polymerized aromatic olefins, natural rubber and synthetic rubber.

3. The composition of claim 1 additionally containing a gelling adjuvant selected from the class consisting of sodium hydride, boron hydride, lithium hydride, an alkali metal hydride, aluminum hydride and aluminum borohydride and a solvent selected from the class consisting of lower aliphatic hydrocarbons and lower aromatic hydrocarbons.

4. The composition of claim 1 in which said aluminum compound is triethylaluminum.

5. The composition of claim 1 wherein said aluminum compound is triethylaluminum and said gelling agent is polyethylene.

6. The composition of claim 1 wherein said aluminum compound is triethylaluminum and said gelling agent is polyisobutylene.

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein said aluminum compound is triethylaluminum and said gelling agent is polybutadiene.

8. THE METHOD OF PRODUCING A CONFLAGRATION WHICH COMPRISES DISPERSING AN INCENDIARY COMPOSTITION COMPRISING FROM ABOUT 80 TO 98 PERCENT OF AN ALUMINUM COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA: AL-RX(H)3-X WHERE IN R IS AN ALYYL GROUP AND X IS AN INTEGER RANGING FROM 1 TO 3, AND FROM 2 TO 20 PERCENT OF A HYDROCARBON POLYMER GELLING AGENT COMPATIBLE AND NONREACTIVE WITH SAID ALUMINUM COMPOUND AND FREE OF ACTIVE HYDROGEN.

9. The method of claim 8 in which said hydrocarbon polymer is selected from the group consisting of polymerized aliphatic olefins, polymerized aromatic olefins, natural rubber and synthetic rubber.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said incendiary composition additionally contains a gelling adjuvant selected from the class consisting of sodium hydride, boron hydride, lithium hydride, an alkali metal hydride, aluminum hydride and aluminum borohydride and a solvent selected from the class consisting of lower aliphatic hydrocarbons and lower aromatic hydrocarbons.

11. The method of producing a conflagration which comprises dispersing an incendiary composition comprising from about 80 to 98 percent of triethylaluminum and from 2 to 20 percent of a hydrocarbon polymer compatible and nonreactive with said triethylaluminum and free of active hydrogen.