Reactively induced fragmentating explosives

• US 6,846,372 B1
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Issued: 01/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of The Chief of Naval Research Offcie of Counsel
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Guirguis, Raafat H.
• Primary Examiner(s): FELTON, AILEEN BAKER
• Application Number:
  US10/401,890
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 149/2, 149/19.1, 102/473
• US Class Current: 149/2
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 45/00 Compositions or products which are defined by structure or arrangement of component of product explosive charges of particular form or shape F42B1/00, F42B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 45/02 comprising particles of diverse size or shape
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 45/18 comprising a coated component particles dispersed in a matrix C06B45/04; coated explosive charges F42B
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/32 the hull or case comprising a plurality of discrete bodies, e.g. steel balls, embedded therein or disposed around the explosive charge
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/50 by dispersion

Abstract

The invention, as embodied herein, comprises a new composition that provides different outputs depending upon the level of stimulus supplied to the composition. More specifically, if the composition is subjected to a weak shock, the composition produces fragments that burn upon their surfaces. If the composition is subjected to a strong shock, the bulk of the fragments will initiate, and, depending upon the make-up of the fragments, an explosive, propellant, or pyrotechnic, a different output will result.

Claims

1. A composition, comprising:

a plurality of shock insensitive, energetic fragments, each fragment a complete energetic formulation comprising at least two different components selected from the group of explosive particles, fuel, oxidizer, and binder; and

,

a base material to hold the plurality of fragments together wherein a weak shock results in ignition of a surface of the fragments and a strong shock results in initiation of the fragments.

2. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a shock sensitive coating substantially covering the fragments.

3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the base material comprises a substantially inert material.

4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the base material comprises about less than 10 percent by weight of the composition.

5. The composition of claim 4, wherein the base material comprises from about 3 percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight of the composition.

6. The composition of claim 5, wherein the base material comprises a binder.

7. The composition of claim 6, wherein the fragments comprise an explosive formulation.

8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the fragments comprise PBXN-110.

9. The composition of claim 8, wherein the shock sensitive coating is selected from PBXN-301 or a PETN powder.

10. A warhead, comprising:

a plurality of shock insensitive, energetic fragments, each fragment a complete energetic formulation comprising at least two different components selected from the group of explosive particles, fuel, oxidizer, and binder;

a base material to hold the plurality of fragments together wherein a weak shock results in ignition of a surface of the fragments and a strong shock results in initiation of the fragments;

an explosive booster material, proximate to initiation means, to provide a weak shock; and

,

a metal case, surrounding the base material.