Electric primer with intrinsic conductive mix

• US 4,994,125 A
• Filed: 05/08/1989
• Issued: 02/19/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: OLIN Corporation
• Original Assignee: OLIN Corporation
• Inventors: Mei, George C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lechert, Jr., Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US07/348,440
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 149/42, 149/77, 149/22
• US Class Current: 149/22
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 33/06 the material being an inorganic oxygen-halogen salt
• CPC Class Codes: C06C 7/00 Non-electric detonators; Blasting caps; Primers

Abstract

An electric primer has an intrinsically conductive pyrotechnic mixture consisting of a metal powder fuel, an alkaline oxidizer, and a sensitizing fuel. The primer mixture preferably consists of about 27% titanium metal powder, about 68% potassium chlorate, and 5% boron as the sensitizing fuel. Lead thiocyanate may also be added as a further sensitizing fuel. The primer is advantageously adapted for use in airbag inflators in an automobile passive restraint system.

Claims

1. An electric primer comprising an intrinsically conductive pyrotechnic mixture consisting essentially of 15% to 50% dry weight of a finely divided metal powder fuel, 75% to 40% dry weight of an alkaline oxidizer, and 2% to 15% of a sensitizing fuel.

2. The mixture according to claim 1 wherein the mixture is compacted together under a pressure of at least 1000 pounds per square inch.

3. The mixture according to claim 2 wherein the mixture is compacted together under a pressure of between about 3000 to 150,000 pounds per square inch.

4. The mixture according to claim 2 wherein said alkaline oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal chlorate or perchlorate.

5. The mixture according to claim 2 wherein said metal powder fuel is selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, uranium, and aluminum.

6. The mixture according to claim 4 wherein said metal powder fuel is titanium.

7. The mixture according to claim 5 wherein said alkaline oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of potassium chlorate, sodium chlorate, sodium chlorate and calcium chlorate.

8. The mixture according to claim 7 wherein said oxidizer is potassium chlorate.

9. The mixture according to claim 7 wherein said oxidizer is potassium perchlorate.

10. The mixture according to claim 4 wherein said metal powder fuel is selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, uranium, and aluminum.

11. The mixture according to claim 8 wherein said metal powder fuel is titanium.

12. The mixture according to claim 2 wherein said sensitizing fuel is boron.

13. The mixture according to claim 2 wherein said metal powder is about 27% dry weight.

14. The mixture according to claim 13 wherein said oxidizer is about 68% dry weight.

15. The mixture according to claim 14 wherein said mixture is compacted a pressure between 3000 psi and 150,000 psi.

16. The mixture according to claim 2 wherein said fuel sensitizer is lead thiocyanate.

17. The mixture according to claim 3 wherein said metal powder fuel is about 27% dry weight titanium, said alkaline oxidizer is about 68% dry weight potassium chlorate, and said sensitizer is about 5% dry weight boron.