Starch as fuel in gas generating compositions

• US 4,238,253 A
• Filed: 05/15/1978
• Issued: 12/09/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Garner, Eugene F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, Edward A.
• Application Number:
  US05/905,829
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 149/19.6, 149/19.91, 149/82, 149/83, 149/85
• US Class Current: 149/19.6
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 29/04 with an inorganic non-explosive or an inorganic non-thermic component
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 45/10 the organic component containing a resin
• CPC Class Codes: C06D 5/06 by reaction of two or more solids

Abstract

Starch is used as a fuel/binder in pyrotechnic propellant compositions suitable for use in vehicle safety restraint systems.

Claims

1. A pyrotechnic composition for use in providing a generating gas to inflate an inflatable device, said composition comrpising:

(a) about 45 l to 50 weight percent of an inorganic oxidizer;

(b) about 8 to 13 weight percent of starch having a particle size of about 4 to 30 microns;

(c) about 35 to 45 weight percent of a coolant selected from the group consisting of calcium hydroxide, magnesium chloride, calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate;

(d) about 1 to 2 weight percent of an oxygen-containing polymeric compound selected from the group consisting of polyacetal resins and polyvinyl acetate resins; and

(e) about 0 to 1 weight percent of carbon black.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the inorganic oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of sodium chlorate, potassium chlorate, sodium perchlorate, and potassium perchlorate.

3. The composition of claim 2 wherein the starch is corn starch.

4. The composition of claim 1 wherein the inorganic oxidizer is sodium chlorate.

5. The composition of claim 4 wherein the coolant is calcium hydroxide.

6. The composition of claim 5 wherein the oxygen-containing polymeric compound is polyvinyl acetate.

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein said carbon black is present in an amount of about 0.4 to 0.6 weight percent.