US3811969A - Fuse powder composition - Google Patents

Fuse powder composition Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3811969A
US3811969A US00232493A US23249372A US3811969A US 3811969 A US3811969 A US 3811969A US 00232493 A US00232493 A US 00232493A US 23249372 A US23249372 A US 23249372A US 3811969 A US3811969 A US 3811969A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
fuse
powder
weight
powder composition
zirconium
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00232493A
Inventor
Y Bertrand
R Grebert
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ETAT FR REPRESENTE MINISTRE D
ETAT FR REPRESENTE MINISTRE D ETAT CHARGE DE DEFENSE NAT FR
Original Assignee
ETAT FR REPRESENTE MINISTRE D
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ETAT FR REPRESENTE MINISTRE D filed Critical ETAT FR REPRESENTE MINISTRE D
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3811969A publication Critical patent/US3811969A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
    • C06B—EXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
    • C06B33/00—Compositions containing particulate metal, alloy, boron, silicon, selenium or tellurium with at least one oxygen supplying material which is either a metal oxide or a salt, organic or inorganic, capable of yielding a metal oxide
    • C06B33/06—Compositions containing particulate metal, alloy, boron, silicon, selenium or tellurium with at least one oxygen supplying material which is either a metal oxide or a salt, organic or inorganic, capable of yielding a metal oxide the material being an inorganic oxygen-halogen salt
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C19/00—Details of fuzes
    • F42C19/08—Primers; Detonators
    • F42C19/0803—Primers; Detonators characterised by the combination of per se known chemical composition in the priming substance
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C19/00—Details of fuzes
    • F42C19/08—Primers; Detonators
    • F42C19/0838—Primers or igniters for the initiation or the explosive charge in a warhead
    • F42C19/0846—Arrangements of a multiplicity of primers or detonators, dispersed within a warhead, for increased efficiency
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S149/00—Explosive and thermic compositions or charges
    • Y10S149/11—Particle size of a component
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S149/00—Explosive and thermic compositions or charges
    • Y10S149/11—Particle size of a component
    • Y10S149/114—Inorganic fuel

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to fuse powder compositions for pyrotechnic charges.
  • the fuse powder composition of this invention comprises: (a) zirconium, and (b) a mixture of barium chromate, ammonium perchlorate and ammonium dichromate, the proportions of the constituents being such that the oxygen balance is equilibrated between the zirconium and the said salts, that is, after the powder is ignited in a closed bomb, after combustion, no oxygen remains.
  • the new compositions contain: 33 to 57% by weight of zirconium, 27 to 41% by weight of barium chromate, 11 to 17% by weight of ammonium perchlorate, and 5 to 9% by weight of ammonium dichromate.
  • An especially preferred composition contains 45% by weight zirconium, 34% by weight barium chromate, 14% by weight ammonium perchlorate, and 7% by weight ammonium dichromate.
  • the zirconium used advantageously has an average particle size of 3.4 microns, a specific surface area of 2,700 cm. /g., a non-compressed density of 1.1 and a compressed density of 2.
  • the barium chromate used preferably has a particle size of 2.9 microns, the ammonium perchlorate a particle size of 12 to 13 microns, and the ammonium dichromate a particle size of 110- microns.
  • the ingredients are mixed together in the proportions indicated, for example, by means of a Moritz mixer revolving at slow speed for 1 hour, in a chamber held at a tempera ture of 2l29 C., and a relative humidity of 30-40%. After mixing, the mixture is stored in hermetically sealed boxes.
  • the fuse consists of a toroidal case 1 of nitrofilm [i.e. celulose nitrate film containing a plas ticizer (stearate) and a stabilizer (centralite)], reinforced with polyamide fibres in the side walls, and closed by a cover 3, also toroidal and of nitrofilm.
  • This case of external diameter 70 mm. and thickness 5 mm., contains 5 g. of the new fuse powder composition 3, and two electrical igniter beads 4, diametrically opposite and embedded in the powder.
  • Orifices 5 are provided in the case 1 for the passage of electrical wires 6 connected to the igniters.
  • Such fuses are particularly suitable for lighting solid propellant charges in hollow strands mounted on an annular base which are used in the gas generators described in United States Patent Application No. 206,662, filed Dec. 10, 1971, and 205,046 filed Dec. 5, 1971.
  • the operation of the fuse is as follows: an electrical impulse is sent in the wires 6 connected to the igniters 4.
  • the latter comprise a lighting head, for example of a fulminate, fixed to an electrical resistance.
  • the latter by heating, ignites the head, which itself ignites the fuse powder.
  • the bottom of the case of nitrofilm burns in its turn, and the heat generated ignites the solid propellant.
  • the speed of ignition of a fuse powder is characterized by two parameters: d the delay which elapses between the lighting signal and the appearance of a pressure rise caused by the beginning of the ignition of the fuse powder; and d the delay which elapses between the moment of appearance of this pressure rise and the moment when this pressure is at a maximum.
  • the delay d characterizes the sensitivity of the fuse powder and the delay d; the speed of combustion of this powder.
  • the test was carried out under normal conditions on a fuse plug containing 10 g. of fuse powder.
  • Powder composition according to the invention Powder 1 Powder 2 ch in milliseconds dz in milliseconds Furthermore, for igniting solid blocks of propellant at high altitude, a fuse is used such as that described in US. Pat. No. 3,581,662 in which the primary lighting charge of black powder is replaced by the powder composition of the present invention.
  • the fuse comprises 50 g. of the new powder composition placed in the front third of the central channel of a propellant block to be ignited.
  • the blocks used are composite propellants with a polybutadiene binder.
  • Fuse powder composition comprising (a) zirconium and (b) a mixture of barium chromate, ammonium perchlorate and ammonium dichromate, the proportions of the constituents being such that the oxygen balance is equilibrated between the zirconium and the said salts.
  • Composition according to claim 1 comprising 33 to 57% by weight of zirconium, 27 to 41% by weight of barium chromate, 11 to 17% by weight of ammonium perchlorate, and to 9% by weight of ammonium dichromate.
  • Composition according to claim 2 comprising 45% by weight of zirconium, 34% by weight of barium chromate, 14% by weight of ammonium perchlorate, and 7% by weight of ammonium dichromate.
  • composition according to claim 1 in which the zirconium has an average particle size of 3.4 microns, a specific surface area of 2,700 cm. /g., a non-compressed density of 1.1 and a compressed density of 2.
  • composition according to claim 1 in which the barium chromate has a particle size of 2.9 microns, the ammonium perchlorate has a particle size of 12 to 13 microns, and the ammonium dichromate has a particle size of microns.

Abstract

NOVEL FUSE POWDER COMPOSITIONS WHICH BURN VERY RAPIDLY WITHOUT DECOMPOSITION COMPRISE ZIRCONIUM, BARIUM CHROMATE, AMMONIUM PERCHLORATE, AND AMMONIUM DICHROMATE.

Description

May 21, 1974 BERTRAND ET AL $811,969
FUSE POWDER COMPOSITION Filed March 7. 1972 United States Patent Ofice 3,811,969 FUSE POWDER COMPOSITION Yves Bertrand and Robert Grebert, Saint-Medard-en- Jalles, France, assignors to Etat Francais represente par le Ministre dEtat Charge de la Defense Nationale, Paris, France Filed Mar. 7, 1972, Ser. No. 232,493 Claims priority, application France, Mar. 8, 1971, 7107863 Int. Cl. C06b 11/00 US. Cl. 149-20 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Novel fuse powder compositions which burn very rapidly without decomposition comprise zirconium, barium chromate, ammonium perchlorate, and ammonium dichromate.
The present invention relates to fuse powder compositions for pyrotechnic charges. The fuse powder composition of this invention comprises: (a) zirconium, and (b) a mixture of barium chromate, ammonium perchlorate and ammonium dichromate, the proportions of the constituents being such that the oxygen balance is equilibrated between the zirconium and the said salts, that is, after the powder is ignited in a closed bomb, after combustion, no oxygen remains.
Preferably, the new compositions contain: 33 to 57% by weight of zirconium, 27 to 41% by weight of barium chromate, 11 to 17% by weight of ammonium perchlorate, and 5 to 9% by weight of ammonium dichromate. An especially preferred composition contains 45% by weight zirconium, 34% by weight barium chromate, 14% by weight ammonium perchlorate, and 7% by weight ammonium dichromate.
The zirconium used advantageously has an average particle size of 3.4 microns, a specific surface area of 2,700 cm. /g., a non-compressed density of 1.1 and a compressed density of 2.
The barium chromate used preferably has a particle size of 2.9 microns, the ammonium perchlorate a particle size of 12 to 13 microns, and the ammonium dichromate a particle size of 110- microns.
In order to prepare the new compositions, the ingredients are mixed together in the proportions indicated, for example, by means of a Moritz mixer revolving at slow speed for 1 hour, in a chamber held at a tempera ture of 2l29 C., and a relative humidity of 30-40%. After mixing, the mixture is stored in hermetically sealed boxes.
The fuse powder composition of the invention shows the following advantageous characteristics:
(a) It has a very high speed of combustion, of the order of several hundreds of metres/second, higher than that of known fuse powders; the time interval between the electrical impulse which triggers the ignition, and the pressure rise caused by the combustion of the fuse powder, is of the order of 5 milliseconds, while this time is never less than 15 milliseconds for other known fuse powders;
(b) in spite of its high speed of combustion, it does not detonate; and
(c) it can burn in a high residual vacuum; tests have shown that it burns in a vacuum of 3X10 Hg, corresponding to an altitude of 75 km. (mesosphere). Conventional fuse powders do not burn at a pressure of less than about 50 mm. Hg.
Such characteristics render the new powder compositions useful in the following applications: rapid lighting of powder-fired gas generators; and lighting of solid rocket propellants at high altitude.
3,811,969 Patented May 21, 1974 A view in perspective of a fuse for a powder-fired gas generator, the cover of which has been raised to show the inside of the fuse, is shown in the only figure of the accompanying drawing. The fuse consists of a toroidal case 1 of nitrofilm [i.e. celulose nitrate film containing a plas ticizer (stearate) and a stabilizer (centralite)], reinforced with polyamide fibres in the side walls, and closed by a cover 3, also toroidal and of nitrofilm. This case, of external diameter 70 mm. and thickness 5 mm., contains 5 g. of the new fuse powder composition 3, and two electrical igniter beads 4, diametrically opposite and embedded in the powder. Orifices 5 are provided in the case 1 for the passage of electrical wires 6 connected to the igniters. Such fuses are particularly suitable for lighting solid propellant charges in hollow strands mounted on an annular base which are used in the gas generators described in United States Patent Application No. 206,662, filed Dec. 10, 1971, and 205,046 filed Dec. 5, 1971.
The operation of the fuse is as follows: an electrical impulse is sent in the wires 6 connected to the igniters 4. The latter comprise a lighting head, for example of a fulminate, fixed to an electrical resistance. The latter, by heating, ignites the head, which itself ignites the fuse powder. The bottom of the case of nitrofilm burns in its turn, and the heat generated ignites the solid propellant.
As mentioned above, one of the advantages of the new powder compositions compared with conventional fuse powders is their speed of ignition. Usually, the speed of ignition of a fuse powder is characterized by two parameters: d the delay which elapses between the lighting signal and the appearance of a pressure rise caused by the beginning of the ignition of the fuse powder; and d the delay which elapses between the moment of appearance of this pressure rise and the moment when this pressure is at a maximum. The delay d characterizes the sensitivity of the fuse powder and the delay d; the speed of combustion of this powder.
The table which follows gives the delays d, and d of the powder according to the invention and those of two conventional rapid fuse powders:
The test was carried out under normal conditions on a fuse plug containing 10 g. of fuse powder.
Powder composition according to the invention Powder 1 Powder 2 ch in milliseconds dz in milliseconds Furthermore, for igniting solid blocks of propellant at high altitude, a fuse is used such as that described in US. Pat. No. 3,581,662 in which the primary lighting charge of black powder is replaced by the powder composition of the present invention.
Conventional primary lighting charges do not burn at pressures of about 50 mm. Hg or below while the new powder compositions can burn in a vacuum as low as 0.03 mm. Hg corresponding to an altitude of km.
The table which follows gives the results of firings of the new powder compositions at simulated high altitudes.
Conventional primary lighting charges do not operate at such low initial pressures.
The fuse comprises 50 g. of the new powder composition placed in the front third of the central channel of a propellant block to be ignited. The blocks used are composite propellants with a polybutadiene binder.
We claim:
1. Fuse powder composition comprising (a) zirconium and (b) a mixture of barium chromate, ammonium perchlorate and ammonium dichromate, the proportions of the constituents being such that the oxygen balance is equilibrated between the zirconium and the said salts.
2. Composition according to claim 1, comprising 33 to 57% by weight of zirconium, 27 to 41% by weight of barium chromate, 11 to 17% by weight of ammonium perchlorate, and to 9% by weight of ammonium dichromate.
3. Composition according to claim 2, comprising 45% by weight of zirconium, 34% by weight of barium chromate, 14% by weight of ammonium perchlorate, and 7% by weight of ammonium dichromate.
4. Composition according to claim 1, in which the zirconium has an average particle size of 3.4 microns, a specific surface area of 2,700 cm. /g., a non-compressed density of 1.1 and a compressed density of 2.
5. Composition according to claim 1 in which the barium chromate has a particle size of 2.9 microns, the ammonium perchlorate has a particle size of 12 to 13 microns, and the ammonium dichromate has a particle size of microns.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,l73,367 3/1965 Shinpaugh 149-40 X 3,454,437 7/1969 Yamazaki et a1. 149-42 X 3,553,039 1/1971 Keenan et al l49-42 X 3,725,516 4/1973 Kaufman 149-40 X 3,734,788 5/1973 Kaufman 149-42 X STEPHEN J. LECHERT, JR., Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.
US00232493A 1971-03-08 1972-03-07 Fuse powder composition Expired - Lifetime US3811969A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7107863A FR2128891A5 (en) 1971-03-08 1971-03-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3811969A true US3811969A (en) 1974-05-21

Family

ID=9073099

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00232493A Expired - Lifetime US3811969A (en) 1971-03-08 1972-03-07 Fuse powder composition

Country Status (16)

Country Link
US (1) US3811969A (en)
JP (1) JPS5238081B1 (en)
AR (1) AR204071A1 (en)
BE (1) BE780291A (en)
BR (1) BR7201293D0 (en)
CA (1) CA986310A (en)
CH (1) CH562176A5 (en)
ES (1) ES400563A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2128891A5 (en)
GB (1) GB1372324A (en)
IT (1) IT961567B (en)
LU (1) LU64905A1 (en)
NL (1) NL7203000A (en)
SE (1) SE435616B (en)
SU (1) SU396872A3 (en)
ZA (1) ZA721528B (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH664554A5 (en) * 1985-07-15 1988-03-15 Oerlikon Buehrle Ag Ignition powder mixt. for solid propellant reinforcing charge - contg. inorganic. fuel and excess inorganic oxidant to generate oxygen and prevent hang fire in cold
ITRM20120433A1 (en) * 2012-09-11 2014-03-12 Salvatore Tedde FUEL DEVICE FOR GREASE CALIBER AMMUNITION

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2569686B1 (en) * 1984-09-05 1986-11-21 Poudres & Explosifs Ste Nale ULTRA-FAST GAS GENERATOR WITH ENHANCED SECURITY
RU2545335C1 (en) * 2013-11-18 2015-03-27 Открытое акционерное общество "Федеральный научно-производственный центр "Научно-исследовательский институт прикладной химии" Pyrotechnical composition of elastic igniters

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH664554A5 (en) * 1985-07-15 1988-03-15 Oerlikon Buehrle Ag Ignition powder mixt. for solid propellant reinforcing charge - contg. inorganic. fuel and excess inorganic oxidant to generate oxygen and prevent hang fire in cold
ITRM20120433A1 (en) * 2012-09-11 2014-03-12 Salvatore Tedde FUEL DEVICE FOR GREASE CALIBER AMMUNITION

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES400563A1 (en) 1975-02-01
GB1372324A (en) 1974-10-30
LU64905A1 (en) 1972-07-06
BE780291A (en) 1972-07-03
JPS5238081B1 (en) 1977-09-27
CA986310A (en) 1976-03-30
AR204071A1 (en) 1975-11-20
DE2210944A1 (en) 1972-09-28
CH562176A5 (en) 1975-05-30
DE2210944B2 (en) 1975-06-12
SU396872A3 (en) 1973-08-29
ZA721528B (en) 1972-11-29
BR7201293D0 (en) 1975-09-02
NL7203000A (en) 1972-09-12
SE435616B (en) 1984-10-08
FR2128891A5 (en) 1972-10-27
IT961567B (en) 1973-12-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5672843A (en) Single charge pyrotechnic
US2717204A (en) Blasting initiator composition
US3794535A (en) Pyrotechnic lacquer
US4130061A (en) Gun fired projectile having reduced drag
US1999820A (en) Delay cap
US3942445A (en) High altitude friction igniter
US3634153A (en) Noncorrosive pyrotechnic composition
US3811969A (en) Fuse powder composition
US3899973A (en) Ignition device for explosive charges
US4068591A (en) Ignition system used in testing solid propellant compositions for smokelessness
US4208967A (en) Squib design
US4302259A (en) MgH2 and Sr(NO3)2 pyrotechnic composition
US3286628A (en) Electric detonator ignition systems
US3983818A (en) Incendiary tracer projectile
US2973713A (en) Ignition of solid rocket propellants
US3017300A (en) Pelleted igniter composition and method of manufacturing same
US2363863A (en) Priming composition
US3695949A (en) Black smoke marker
US3715984A (en) Pyrotechnic devices
US3713385A (en) Electroexplosive devices
GB1263574A (en) Igniter for propellants
US2991714A (en) Delay composition
US3775199A (en) Nitrogen generator
US3317360A (en) Preparation of electric blasting cap mixture containing amorphous boron and lead oxide
US3111438A (en) Delay compositions for delay electric detonators