Lead-free nontoxic explosive mix

• US 6,878,221 B1
• Filed: 06/16/2003
• Issued: 04/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: OLIN Corporation
• Original Assignee: OLIN Corporation
• Inventors: Mei, George C., Pickett, James W.
• Primary Examiner(s): FELTON, AILEEN BAKER
• Application Number:
  US10/462,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20050081969A1
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 149/37, 149/41, 149/45, 149/108.6
• US Class Current: 149/41
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 33/04 the material being an inorganic nitrogen-oxygen salt
• CPC Class Codes: C06C 7/00 Non-electric detonators; Blasting caps; Primers

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a lead-free, nontoxic pyrotechnic composition, comprising: 30-80 wt % of bismuth subnitrate; and 10-50 wt % of a fuel, wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition. The present invention is also directed to a lead-free, nontoxic priming composition, comprising: 20-80 wt % of the above nontoxic pyrotechnic composition; 20-50 wt % of an initiator explosive; and 2-10 wt % of a sensitizer, wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition.

Claims

1. A lead-free, nontoxic priming composition, comprising:

20-80 wt % of a nontoxic pyrotechnic composition comprising (a) 30-80 wt % of bismuth subnitrate and (b) 10-50 wt % of a fuel;

20-50 wt % of an initiator explosive; and

2-10 wt % of a sensitizer;

wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of said composition, and wherein said composition is substantially lead-free and substantially nontoxic.

2. The lead-free, nontoxic priming composition of claim 1, wherein said initiator explosive is selected from the group consisting of dinol, dinitrodihydroxydiazobenzene salt (diazinate), dinitrobenzofuroxan salts, 2-(5-cyanotetrazolato)pentaaminecobalt (III) perchlorate (CP), and combinations thereof.

3. The lead-free, nontoxic priming composition of claim 1, wherein said initiator explosive comprises approximately 35 wt % of said composition.

4. The lead-free, nontoxic priming composition of claim 1, wherein said sensitizer is tetrazene.

5. The lead-free, nontoxic priming composition of claim 1, wherein said sensitizer comprises approximately 5 wt % of said composition.

6. The lead-free, nontoxic priming composition of claim 1, further comprising a fast-fuel.

7. The lead-free, nontoxic priming composition of claim 6, wherein said fast-fuel comprises from about 0 to about 30 wt % of said composition.

8. The lead-free, nontoxic priming composition of claim 7, wherein said fast-fuel comprises approximately 20 wt % of said composition.

9. The lead-free, nontoxic priming composition of claim 6, wherein said fast-fuel is selected from the group consisting of potassium styphnate, nitrocellulose-based propellants, PETN, and combinations thereof.

10. The lead-free, nontoxic priming composition of claim 1, further comprising a friction agent.

11. The lead-free, nontoxic priming composition of claim 10, wherein said friction agent comprises from about 0 to about 50 wt % of said composition.

12. The lead-free, nontoxic priming composition of claim 10, wherein said friction agent is selected from the group consisting of glass particles, silicon carbide, silicon, crystalline boron, ceramics, and combinations thereof.

13. The lead-free, nontoxic priming composition of claim 1, further comprising additional ingredients selected from the group consisting of binders, PVA (polyvinylacetate), Karaya, Tragacanth, Guar, Gum Arabic, and combinations thereof.

17. The lead-free, nontoxic priming composition of claim 1, wherein said bismuth subnitrate comprises approximately 60-80 wt % of said nontoxic pyrotechnic composition.

18. The lead-free, nontoxic priming composition of claim 1, wherein said fuel is selected from the group consisting of amorphous boron, aluminum powder, zirconium powder, titanium powder, zinc powder, carbon, silicon, bismuth sulfide, iron sulfide, zinc sulfide, calcium silicide, copper silicide, and combinations thereof.

19. The lead-free, nontoxic priming composition of claim 1, wherein said fuel comprises approximately 20-40 wt % of said nontoxic pyrotechnic composition.

14. A lead-free, nontoxic priming composition, comprising:

25-35 w % of bismuth subnitrate;

5-10 wt % of fuel;

20-50 wt % of an initiator explosive; and

2-10 wt % of a sensitizer;

wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of said composition, and wherein said composition is substantially lead-free and substantially nontoxic.

15. The lead-free, nontoxic priming composition of claim 14, wherein:

said bismuth subnitrate comprises about 28 wt % of said composition;

said fuel comprises about 7 wt % of boron;

said initiator explosive comprises about 30 wt % dinol;

said sensitizer comprises about 5 wt % tetrazene;

and wherein said composition further comprises;

about 15 wt % of a fast fuel; and

about 15 wt % of a friction agent.

16. The lead-free, non-toxic priming composition of claim 15, wherein said fast fuel comprises potassium styphnate and said friction agent comprises glass particles.