Non-toxic, metallic-boron-containing, IR tracer compositions and IR tracer projectiles containing the same for generating a dim visibility IR trace

Abstract

A novel non-toxic IR tracer composition is provided herein which, when incorporated into an IR tracer projectile which is then fired, generates a dim visibility IR trace. Such IR tracer composition is a non-toxic, metallic-boron-containing, IR tracer composition comprising: from about 20 to about 30% by weight, or from about 45 to about 60% by weight, of at least one of potassium chlorate or sodium nitrate; from about 5 to about 16% by weight of a metallic fuel which consists of metallic boron; optionally, from about 15 to about 25% by weight, or from about 40 to about 50% by weight, of a non-metallic fuel which consists of sodium salicylate; from about 5 to about 20% by weight of a retardant which consists either of iron carbonate, or magnesium carbonate or calcium carbonate; from about 5 to about 15% by weight of a first binder which consists of calcium resinate; and up to about 7.5% by weight of a second synthetic resin binder which consists either of a copolymer of hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride or cellulose acetate butyrate, wherein the total percentage of such ingredients add up to 100%. A novel IR tracer projectile containing such IR tracer composition for generating a dim visibility IR trace is also provided.

1 . A non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition comprising: 
 from about 20 to about 30% by weight, or from about 45 to about 60% by weight of at least one of potassium chlorate and sodium nitrate;    from about 5 to about 16% by weight of a metallic fuel which consists of a metallic boron;    optionally, from about 15 to about 25% by weight, or from about 40 to about 50% by weight, of a non-metallic fuel which consists of sodium salicylate;    from about 5 to about 20% by weight of a retardant which is selected from the group consisting of iron carbonate and magnesium carbonate or calcium carbonate;    from about 5 to about 15% by weight of a first binder which consists of calcium resinate; and    optionally up to about 7.5% by weight of a synthetic resin binder which is selected from the group consisting of a copolymer of hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride, and cellulose acetate butyrate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       2 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 from about 8 to about 12% by weight of metallic boron;    from about 20 to about 30% by weight of potassium chlorate;    from about 8 to about 12% by weight of magnesium carbonate;    from about 40 to about 50% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    from about 8 to about 12% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       3 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 2 , comprising: 
 about 10% by weight of metallic boron;    about 25% by weight of potassium chlorate;    about 10% by weight of magnesium carbonate;    about 45% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    about 10% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       4 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 from about 8 to about 12% by weight of metallic boron;    from about 20 to about 30% by weight of potassium chlorate;    from about 8 to about 12% by weight of iron carbonate;    about 40 to about 50% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    from about 8 to about 12% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       5 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 4 , comprising: 
 about 10% by weight of metallic boron;    about 25% by weight of potassium chlorate;    about 10% by weight of iron carbonate;    about 45% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    about 10% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       6 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 from about 10 to about 14% by weight of metallic boron;    from about 20 to about 30% by weight of potassium chlorate;    from about 8 to about 12% by weight of iron carbonate;    from about 42 to about 50% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    from about 8 to about 12% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       7 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 6 , comprising: 
 about 12% by weight of metallic boron;    about 20% by weight of potassium chlorate;    about 10% by weight of iron carbonate;    about 48% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    about 10% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       8 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 from about 8 to about 12% by weight of metallic boron;    from about 20 to about 29% by weight of potassium chlorate;    from about 8 to about 12% by weight of iron carbonate;    from about 45 to about 50% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    from about 8 to about 12% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       9 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 8 , comprising: 
 about 6% by weight of metallic boron;    about 24% by weight of potassium chlorate;    about 10% by weight of iron carbonate;    about 50% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    about 10% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       10 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 from about 4 to about 8% by weight of metallic boron;    from about 20 to about 30% by weight of potassium chlorate;    from about 8 to about 12% by weight of iron carbonate;    from about 40 to about 48% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    from about 8 to about 12% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       11 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 10 , comprising: 
 about 6% by weight of metallic boron;    about 30% by weight of potassium chlorate;    about 10% by weight of iron carbonate;    about 44% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    about 10% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       12 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 from about 10 to about 14% by weight of metallic boron;    from about 24 to about 30% by weight of potassium chlorate;    from about 8 to about 12% by weight of iron carbonate;    from about 40 to about 50% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    from about 8 to about 12% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       13 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 12 , comprising: 
 about 12% by weight of metallic boron;    about 28% by weight of potassium chlorate;    about 10% by weight of iron carbonate;    about 40% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    about 10% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       14 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 from about 12 to about 16% by weight of metallic boron;    from about 20 to about 30% by weight of potassium chlorate;    from about 8 to about 12% by weight of iron carbonate;    from about 40 to about 45% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    from about 8 to about 12% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       15 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 14 , comprising: 
 about 16% by weight of metallic boron;    about 24% by weight of potassium chlorate;    about 10% by weight of iron carbonate;    about 40% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    about 10% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       16 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 from about 9 to about 13% by weight of metallic boron;    from about 20 to about 30% by weight of potassium chlorate;    from about 8 to about 12% by weight of iron carbonate;    from about 45 to about 49% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    from about 8 to about 12% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       17 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 16 , comprising: 
 about 11% by weight of metallic boron;    about 22% by weight of potassium chlorate;    about 10% by weight of iron carbonate;    about 47% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    about 10% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       18 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 from about 8 to about 12% by weight of metallic boron;    from about 40 to about 50% by weight of potassium chlorate;    from about 8 to about 10% by weight of magnesium carbonate;    from about 20 to about 30% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    from about 8 to about 12% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       19 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 18 , comprising: 
 about 10% by weight of metallic boron;    about 45% by weight of potassium chlorate;    about 10% by weight of magnesium carbonate;    about 25% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    about 10% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       20 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 from about 5 to about 8% by weight of metallic boron;    from about 55 to about 60% by weight of potassium chlorate;    from about 5 to about 7% by weight of iron carbonate;    from about 20 to about 22% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    from about 8 to about 12% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       21 . The non-toxic, metallic boron-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 20 , comprising: 
 about 5% by weight of metallic boron;    about 60% by weight of potassium chlorate;    about 5% by weight of iron carbonate;    about 20% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    about 10% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       22 . An IR tracer projectile comprising: 
 a hollow cylindrical shell made of a suitable metallic material and having a conical nose;    a conventional heavy filler disposed in said hollow conical nose;    the non-toxic, metallic boron-containing IR tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1  compressed immediately against said filler;    a conventional ignition material compressed against said compressed IR tracer composition; and    a metal disc capping said hollow shell.