Gas-generating composition

Abstract

A gas-generating composition is adapted for use in safety devices for vehicles. The composition essentially of 20 to 25% by weight of an organic fuel, 30 to 60% by weight ammonium perchlorate, 5 to 30% by weight of a chloride scavenger and conventional processing aids in a proportion of 0 to 10% by weight. An iron compound is used as said chloride scavenger, which is converted into gaseous iron(III)-chloride upon reaction of the composition.

1 . A gas-generating composition adapted for use in a safety device for vehicles, consisting essentially of 20 to 65% by weight of an organic fuel, 30 to 60% by weight ammonium perchlorate, 5 to 30% by weight of a chloride scavenger and conventional processing aids in a proportion of 0 to 10% by weight, each with respect to the total composition, characterized in that the chloride scavenger is an iron compound.  
   
   
       2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the iron compound is selected from the group consisting of iron oxides, FeCO 3 , Fe(II)- and Fe(III)-compounds with organic ligands and mixed valent iron compounds and also mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The composition according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the iron oxides are selected from the group consisting of FeO, FeO(OH), Fe 2 O 3  and Fe 3 O 4 .  
   
   
       4 . The composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the fuel is selected from the group consisting of guanidine compounds, heterocyclic compounds and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The composition according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the guanidine compounds are selected from the group consisting of guanidine nitrate, nitroguanidine, guanidine carbonate, guanidine perchlorate, aminoguanidine nitrate, diaminoguanidine nitrate, triaminoguanidine nitrate, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       6 . The composition according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the heterocyclic compounds are selected from the group of triazoles, tetrazoles, triazines, imidazoles and hexogen and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the fuel is selected from the group of organic acids which are free of nitrogen.  
   
   
       8 . The composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the fuel is selected from the group of polymer compounds.  
   
   
       9 . The composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the chloride scavenger is an iron oxide and that the weight ratio of ammonium perchlorate and iron oxide in the composition is from 3:1 to 10:1.  
   
   
       10 . The composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the combustion temperature of the composition is at least 2500 K.  
   
   
       11 . The composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the composition has a gas yield of at least 95% based on the mass of the composition.  
   
   
       12 . The composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the processing aids are selected from the group of pressing aids, releasing agents, lubricants and flowing aids.  
   
   
       13 . The composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the composition consists of 40 to 60% by weight of guanidine nitrate, 35 to 50% by weight of ammonium perchlorate, 5 to 15% by weight of Fe 2 O 3  and 0 to 0.5% by weight of calcium stearate.  
   
   
       14 . The composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the composition consists of 40 to 60% by weight of nitroguanidine, 35 to 50% by weight of ammonium perchlorate, 5 to 15% by weight of Fe 2 O 3  and 0 to 0.5% by weight of calcium stearate.  
   
   
       15 . The gas-generating composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the safety device comprises at least one of a hybrid gas generator and a belt tensioner.  
   
   
       16 . The gas-generating composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the safety device includes a gas generator, and wherein the gas-generating composition is adapted for use as an auto-ignition composition or amplifier charge for igniting a further propellant contained in said gas generator.