US4430132A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Desensitizing explosives
Assignee: BAE Systems Global Combat Systems Munitions Ltd
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Filing: 1980-07-29
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Granted: 1984-02-07
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Expires: 2000-07-29
Abstract
Abstract A process for desensitizing sensitive explosives materials such as RDX or HMX involves stirring a paste of the explosives material in a liquid medium, usually water, with a wax which will soften below the safe decomposition temperature of the explosives material, heating the mixture to drive off the liquid and soften the wax which is then coated onto the explosives material as the liquid evaporates. On cooling, explosive material particles substantially entirely encapsulated in wax are obtained. When warm or after cooling, aluminum powder can be mixed with the desensitized material. As little as 1% of added wax can improve the F of I of RDX from 73 to around 100 and the wax coating is quite stable even when the explosive is pressed, e.g. when making charges.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred E. Painter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:08
CPC Classifications
C; C06; C06B; C06B23/00; C06B23/005; C06B21/00; C06B21/0083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A process for desensitising a particulate explosive with a wax which comprises, (1) stirring a water-insoluble wax, having a softening point below the safe decomposition temperature of the explosive, with a paste of the water-insoluble explosive in an aqueous medium; (2) heating and stirring the resulting mixture of wax and explosive paste until the water has evaporated from the surfaces of the explosive particles and the wax has at least softened and has become coated onto the surface of the explosive particles; and (3) cooling and stirring the resulting wax-coated explosive particles to below the softening point of the wax until the wax on the explosive particles has solidified.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A process for desensitising a particulate explosive with a wax which comprises, (1) stirring a water-insoluble wax, having a softening point below the safe decomposition temperature of the explosive, with a paste of the water-insoluble explosive in an aqueous medium; (2) heating and stirring the resulting mixture of wax and explosive paste until the water has evaporated from the surfaces of the explosive particles and the wax has at least softened and has become coated onto the surface of the explosive particles; and (3) cooling and stirring the resulting wax-coated explosive particles to below the softening point of the wax until the wax on the explosive particles has solidified.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the wax has a melting point below the safe decomposition temperature of the explosive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the paste contains from 20 to 30% by weight of the liquid medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the wax comprises from 1 to 12% by weight of the desensitized explosive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the mixture of wax and explosive paste also contains a wetting agent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 5, wherein the wetting agent is a fatty acid ester or a sodium alkyl sulphate of a higher fatty alcohol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 6, wherein the wetting agent is present in an amount of about 0.1% by weight of the explosive.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the explosive is cyclotrimethylene trinitramine, cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, diamino-trinitrobenzene or nitroguanidine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 1, including the additional step of mixing the product of step (2) with an aluminum powder having a specific surface area of between 2000 and 6000 cm 2 /cm 3 , and subsequently performing step (3).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 1, including the additional step of mixing the product of step (3) with an aluminum powder having a specific surface area of between 2000 and 6000 cm 2 /cm 3 .
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-02-06 | 1987-08-08 | 1988-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-06 | 1991-08-08 | 1992-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-06 | 1995-08-08 | 1996-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |