Microcellular composite energetic materials and method for making same
First Claim
1. A castable composite explosive, propellant, flare, or gas generator, comprising in combination:
- a substantially water-free, stable emulsion of molten inorganic oxidizer salt(s), immiscible hydrocarbon fuel(s) and surfactant(s), the fuel(s) and surfactant(s) forming the continuous phase in which the oxidizer phase in dispersed in the form of discrete cells which solidify upon cooling without material disruption of the fuel phase continuum, the surfactants being selected for their capacity to form an emulsion at process temperatures which retains substantial fuel phase continuity during solidification, the oxidizer phase being at least 75% by weight of the emulsion, the final product being solid, firm or rigid;
wherein water may be present as water of hydration or because of the hygroscopic nature of the ingredients and is limited to 3% maximum by weight of the composition.
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Abstract
Essentially anhydrous energetic compositions, including explosives, propellants, flares, and gas generators, are initially formed at process temperatures above the solidification temperature of contained oxidizer salts as stable, melt-in-fuel emulsions having a continuous fuel phase and a discontinuous molten oxidizer phase. Surfactants are employed which cause the compositions to retain general fuel phase continuity and oxidizer phase discontinuity upon solidification. The final product is a firm or solid emulsion generally characterized by an intimate dispersion of discrete solid oxidizer cells in a fuel continuum, the product having excellent storage stability and water resistance.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. A castable composite explosive, propellant, flare, or gas generator, comprising in combination:
- a substantially water-free, stable emulsion of molten inorganic oxidizer salt(s), immiscible hydrocarbon fuel(s) and surfactant(s), the fuel(s) and surfactant(s) forming the continuous phase in which the oxidizer phase in dispersed in the form of discrete cells which solidify upon cooling without material disruption of the fuel phase continuum, the surfactants being selected for their capacity to form an emulsion at process temperatures which retains substantial fuel phase continuity during solidification, the oxidizer phase being at least 75% by weight of the emulsion, the final product being solid, firm or rigid;
wherein water may be present as water of hydration or because of the hygroscopic nature of the ingredients and is limited to 3% maximum by weight of the composition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
- a substantially water-free, stable emulsion of molten inorganic oxidizer salt(s), immiscible hydrocarbon fuel(s) and surfactant(s), the fuel(s) and surfactant(s) forming the continuous phase in which the oxidizer phase in dispersed in the form of discrete cells which solidify upon cooling without material disruption of the fuel phase continuum, the surfactants being selected for their capacity to form an emulsion at process temperatures which retains substantial fuel phase continuity during solidification, the oxidizer phase being at least 75% by weight of the emulsion, the final product being solid, firm or rigid;
Specification