US3653996A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controlled gelation in aqueous explosives containing boric acid
Assignee: Zeneca Inc
•
Filing: 1970-01-22
•
Granted: 1972-04-04
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Expires: 1990-01-22
Abstract
Abstract Explosive compositions containing boric acid, a gelling agent, an oxidizer, a fuel component, and an aqueous medium and a method of controlling the degree of gelation of these compositions. The compositions can be gelled to the extent desired by adjusting their pH.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald W Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:47
CPC Classifications
C; C06; C06B; C06B47/00; C06B47/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
10 words
A composition according to claim 1 which contains a sensitizer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein said boric acid is obtained by acidifying borax.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein said gelling agent is a polysaccharide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The composition of claim 4 wherein said polysaccharide is a galactomannan.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The composition of claim 5 wherein said galactomannan is guar gum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
An explosive composition comprising 1 pbw oxidizer, about 0.14 to about 0.43 pbw water, about 0.007 to about 0.4 parts per part of water of a two-component mixture about 20 to 80 percent of which is boric acid and about 20 to 80 percent of which is a gelling agent, and a sufficient amount of a fuel component to give an oxygen balance between about +10 and -30.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition of claim 7 wherein said boric acid is obtained by acidifying borax.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A composition according to claim 7 wherein about 0.007 to about 2.5 pbw of a sensitizer is present.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A composition according to claim 9 wherein said sensitizer is a combination of an air-entrapping material and an explosive.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The composition of claim 10 wherein said air-entrapping material is phenol formaldehyde or glass micro-spheres.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composition of claim 7 wherein said gelling agent comprises a polysaccharide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The composition of claim 12 wherein said polysaccharide is a galactomannan.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The composition of claim 12 wherein said galactomannan is guar gum.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
44 words
A method of controlling the degree of gelation of an explosive composition comprised of boric acid, a gelling agent, and water, comprising raising the pH of said composition to increase the degree of gelation and lowering the pH to decrease the degree of gelation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said pH is adjusted to about 4.5 to 7.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said composition contains an oxidizer and a fuel component and is detonable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said gelling agent comprises a polysaccharide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said polysaccharide is a glactomannan.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said galactomannan is guar gum.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the pH is adjusted by lowering it to below about 4.5 and then raising it until a gel of the desired consistency is obtained.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said composition is heated while being gelled.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said composition is heated to 100* to 180* F.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of controlling the degree of gelation of an explosive composition which comprises boric acid, a gelling agent, an aqueous medium, an oxidizer, a fuel component, and a liquid not easily gelled comprising preparing a mixture which comprises boric acid, a gelling agent, an aqueous medium, an oxidizer, a fuel component, and said liquid, adjusting the pH of said mixture to between 1.5 and 4.4, blending said mixture well, and adjusting the pH of said mixture to between 4.5 and 7.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said liquid not easily gelled is a nitroparaffin.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said nitroparaffin is nitromethane.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of controlling the degree of gelation of the composition of claim 6 comprising adjusting the pH of said composition.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3072509A
Cited
US3330706A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-04 | 1975-10-04 | 1976-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-04 | 1979-10-04 | 1980-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-04 | 1983-10-04 | 1984-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |