Pyrotechnic compositions and methods of making the same

Abstract

Pyrotechnic compositions are provided herein. The pyrotechnic composition includes potassium nitrate (KNO 3 ), potassium perchlorate (KClO 4 ), an inorganic fuel including boron, an organic fuel including one or more of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and one or more binders. The pyrotechnic composition may have one or more of: a heat of explosion (HEX) of greater than or equal to about 5.000 J/g, a maximum flame temperature at combustion (T c ) of greater than or equal to about 2,500 K (2,227° C.), and a gas yield of greater than or equal to about 15 moles/kg. Methods of preparing the pyrotechnic composition are also provided including wet granulation methods.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pyrotechnic composition comprising:
 potassium nitrate (KNO 3 );   potassium perchlorate (KClO 4 );   an inorganic fuel comprising boron;   an organic fuel comprising one or more of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; and   one or more binders;   wherein the composition satisfies one or more of the following:
 (i) a heat of explosion (HEX) of greater than or equal to about 5,000 J/g; 
 (ii) a maximum flame temperature at combustion (T c ) of greater than or equal to about 2,500 K (2,227° C.); and 
 (iii) a gas yield of greater than or equal to about 15 moles/kg. 
   
     
     
         2 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the potassium nitrate (KNO 3 ) is present in an amount greater than or equal to about 50% to less than or equal to about 70% by weight of the pyrotechnic composition. 
     
     
         3 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the potassium perchlorate (KClO 4 ) is present in an amount greater than or equal to about 10% to less than or equal to about 30% by weight of the pyrotechnic composition. 
     
     
         4 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the boron is present in an amount greater than or equal to about 5% to less than or equal to about 15% by weight of the pyrotechnic composition. 
     
     
         5 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the organic fuel is present in an amount greater than or equal to about 3% to less than or equal to about 15% by weight of the pyrotechnic composition. 
     
     
         6 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the organic fuel is selected from the group consisting of: guanidine nitrate, diammonium 5,5′-bitetrazole (DABT), copper bis guanylurea dinitrate, hexamine cobalt (III) nitrate, copper diamine bitetrazole, a melamine oxalate compound, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the second organic fuel comprises guanidine nitrate. 
     
     
         8 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more binders are selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyacrylamide, polyacrylate, mineral oil, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more binders are present in an amount greater than or equal to about 0.5% to less than or equal to about 10% by weight of the pyrotechnic composition. 
     
     
         10 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more binders comprise hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC). 
     
     
         11 . The pyrotechnic composition of claim, wherein the composition satisfies one or more of the following:
 (i) the heat of explosion (HEX) is greater than or equal to about 5,000 J/g to less than or equal to about 6,500 J/g;   (ii) the maximum flame temperature at combustion (T c ) is greater than or equal to about 2,500 K (2,227° C.) to less than or equal to about 3,500 K (3,227° C.); and   (iii) the gas yield is greater than or equal to about 15 moles/kg to less than or equal to about 30 moles/kg.   
     
     
         12 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more binders further comprise mineral oil present in an amount greater than or equal to about 0.5% to less than or equal to 2% by weight of the pyrotechnic composition. 
     
     
         13 . The pyrotechnic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is in a form of granules having an average particle diameter (D50) of greater than or equal to about 150 μm to less than or equal to about 850 μm. 
     
     
         14 . A method for forming a pyrotechnic composition comprising:
 mixing (i) potassium nitrate (KNO 3 ), (ii) potassium perchlorate (KClO 4 ), (iii) an inorganic fuel comprising boron, (iv) an organic fuel comprising one or more of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, (v) and one or more binders with a liquid to form a slurry;   removing at least a portion of the liquid from the slurry to form a plurality of granulated particles;   sizing the plurality of granulated particles to form sized granulated particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of greater than or equal to about 150 μm to less than or equal to about 850 μm; and drying the sized granulated particles to form a solid pyrotechnic composition,   wherein the composition satisfies one or more of the following:
 (i) a heat of explosion (HEX) of greater than or equal to about 5,000 J/g; 
 (ii) a maximum flame temperature at combustion (Tc) of greater than or equal to about 2,500 K (2,227° C.); and 
 (iii) a gas yield of greater than or equal to about 15 moles/kg. 
   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 (i) the organic fuel is selected from the group consisting of: guanidine nitrate, diammonium 5,5′-bitetrazole (DABT), copper bis guanylurea dinitrate, hexamine cobalt (III) nitrate, copper diamine bitetrazole, a melamine oxalate compound, and combinations thereof and the organic fuel is present in an amount greater than or equal to about 3% to less than or equal to about 15% by weight of the pyrotechnic composition; and   (ii) the one or more binders are selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyacrylamide, polyacrylate, mineral oil, and a combination thereof and the one or more binders are present in an amount greater than or equal to about 0.5% to less than or equal to about 10% by weight of the pyrotechnic composition.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 (i) the potassium nitrate (KNO 3 ) is present in an amount greater than or equal to about 50% to less than or equal to about 70% by weight of the pyrotechnic composition;   (ii) the potassium perchlorate (KClO 4 ) is present in an amount greater than or equal to about 10% to less than or equal to about 30% by weight of the pyrotechnic composition;   (iii) the boron is present in an amount greater than or equal to about 5% to less than or equal to about 15% by weight of the pyrotechnic composition;   (iv) guanidine nitrite is present in an amount greater than or equal to about 3% to less than or equal to about 15% by weight of the pyrotechnic composition;   (v) hydroxy propyl cellulose (HPC) is present in an amount greater than or equal to about 0.5% to less than or equal to about 10% by weight of the pyrotechnic composition; and   (vi) mineral oil is present in an amount greater than or equal to about 0.5% to less than or equal to 2% by weight of the pyrotechnic composition.