Gas generant compositions

Abstract

A novel composition, used for example, as an autoignition and/or booster composition 12 , contains cellulose acetate butyrate, nitroguanidine, a metal perchlorate such as potassium perchlorate, a first additive that liberates molybdenum trioxide during combustion, and a second additive selected from well known fuels used in gas generating systems. The novel composition is contained for example within a gas generator 10 . The gas generator 10 may be contained within a gas generating system such as an airbag inflator 10 or seat belt assembly 150 , or more broadly within a vehicle occupant protection system 200.

1 . A composition comprising:
 a first fuel containing cellulose acetate butyrate and nitroguanidine, said first fuel provided at about 10-90 weight percent of the total composition;   an oxidizer containing one or more metal perchlorates provided at about 10-90 weight percent of the total composition;   a first additive containing at least one constituent selected from molybdenum trioxide, molybdic acid, ammonium molybdate, sodium molybdate, phosphomolybdic acid, ammonium phosphomolybdate, and sodium phosphomolybdate, is provided at about 0.1-3 weight percent of the total composition;   a second additive containing at least one additive selected from tetrazoles such as 5-aminotetrazole; metal salts of azoles such as potassium 5-aminotetrazole; nonmetal salts of azoles such as diammonium salt of 5,5′-bis-1H-tetrazole: nitrate salts of azoles such as 5-aminotetrazole; nitramine derivatives of azoles such as 5-aminotetrazole; metal salts of nitramine derivatives of azoles such as dipotassium 5-aminotetrazole; metal salts of nitramine derivatives of azoles such as dipotassium 5-aminotetrazole; nonmetal salts of nitramine derivatives of azoles such as monoammonium 5-aminotetrazole; triazole-based compounds including 1,2,4-triazole-5-one or 3-nitro-1,2,4 triazole-5-one and metal salts of these compounds; guanidiness such as dicyandiamide; salts of guanidines such as guanidine nitrate; nitro derivatives of guanidines such as nitroguanidine; azoamides such as azodicarbonamide; nitrate salts of azoamides such as azodicarbonamidine dinitrate; and mixtures thereof, said second additive provided at about 0.1-5 weight percent of the total composition.   
     
     
         2 . A gas generating system containing the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         3 . A vehicle occupant protection system containing the composition of 1. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said metal perchlorate is potassium perchlorate. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1  containing cellulose acetate butyrate and nitroguanidine that when taken together are provided at about 10-90 weight percent, potassium perchlorate at about 10-90 weight percent, molybdenum trioxide at about 0.1-3 weight percent, and 5-aminotetrazole at about 0.1-5 weight percent, said percentages relative to the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  where the cellulose acetate butyrate and the nitroguanidine are each provided at about 5-95 wt % of the weight of the first fuel. 
     
     
         7 . A composition comprising:
 a first fuel containing cellulose acetate butyrate and nitroguanidine;   an oxidizer containing one or more metal perchlorates;   a first additive containing at least one constituent selected from molybdenum trioxide, molybdic acid, ammonium molybdate, sodium molybdate, phosphomolybdic acid, ammonium phosphomolybdate, and sodium phosphomolybdate; and   a second additive containing at least one additive selected from a secondary fuel.   
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7  containing potassium perchlorate. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 7  wherein said first fuel is provided at about 10-90 weight percent, said oxidizer is provided at about 10-90 weight percent, said first additive is provided at about 0.1 to 3 weight percent, and said second additive is provided at about 0.1-5 weight percent, said weight percentages stated relative to the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 7  wherein said second additive is selected from the group consisting of tetrazoles such as 5-aminotetrazole; metal salts of azoles such as potassium 5-aminotetrazole; nonmetal salts of azoles such as diammonium salt of 5,5′-bis-1H-tetrazole: nitrate salts of azoles such as 5-aminotetrazole; nitramine derivatives of azoles such as 5-aminotetrazole; metal salts of nitramine derivatives of azoles such as dipotassium 5-aminotetrazole; metal salts of nitramine derivatives of azoles such as dipotassium 5-aminotetrazole; nonmetal salts of nitramine derivatives of azoles such as monoammonium 5-aminotetrazole; triazole-based compounds including 1,2,4-triazole-5-one or 3-nitro-1,2,4 triazole-5-one and metal salts of these compounds; guanidiness such as dicyandiamide; salts of guanidines such as guanidine nitrate; nitro derivatives of guanidines such as nitroguanidine; azoamides such as azodicarbonamide; nitrate salts of azoamides such as azodicarbonamidine dinitrate; and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A composition comprising:
 a first fuel containing cellulose acetate butyrate and nitroguanidine;   an oxidizer containing one or more metal perchlorates;   a first additive containing a compound that liberates molybdenum trioxide during combustion; and   a second additive containing at least one additive selected from a secondary fuel.