Propellant and explosive composition
First Claim
1. An ignitable pyrotechnic composition useful as a propellant and as a gas generating agent consisting essentially of a homogeneous, uniform blend of an intimate admixture of from about 6 to about 15 weight percent potassium perchlorate and a salt of nitric acid as oxidizing agent, and an organic acid fuel selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, 5,6-carbonyl ascorbic acid and 5,6-carbonyl erythorbic acid or salt thereof, wherein said nitric acid salt, perchlorate and organic acid fuel are present in amounts such that the resulting uniform blend is oxygen balanced or slightly oxygen deficient for complete combustion and wherein said composition is characterized by a heat of combustion of at least about 700 cal/gm, and, upon combustion, said composition produces an energy of from about 8,000 to about 16,000 foot lbs cubic inch, and a gas volume of at least 280 cc/gm, with less than 30 percent corrosive residue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pyrotechnic composition useful for gunpowder, propellant or explosive purposes, which comprises an organic acid such as ascorbic or erythorbic acid, a nitrate salt oxidizer, and about 6-15% of potassium perchlorate, has improved properties including reduced residue.
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Citations
12 Claims
- 1. An ignitable pyrotechnic composition useful as a propellant and as a gas generating agent consisting essentially of a homogeneous, uniform blend of an intimate admixture of from about 6 to about 15 weight percent potassium perchlorate and a salt of nitric acid as oxidizing agent, and an organic acid fuel selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, 5,6-carbonyl ascorbic acid and 5,6-carbonyl erythorbic acid or salt thereof, wherein said nitric acid salt, perchlorate and organic acid fuel are present in amounts such that the resulting uniform blend is oxygen balanced or slightly oxygen deficient for complete combustion and wherein said composition is characterized by a heat of combustion of at least about 700 cal/gm, and, upon combustion, said composition produces an energy of from about 8,000 to about 16,000 foot lbs cubic inch, and a gas volume of at least 280 cc/gm, with less than 30 percent corrosive residue.
Specification