IP Library Patent Application 10801948
Patent Application
App. No. 10/801,948

Reactive material enhanced munition compositions and projectiles containing same

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Patent No.
US None
App. No.
10/801,948
Abstract

A reactive material that includes at least one of a fuel, an oxidizer, and a class 1.1 explosive and is formulated for use in a reactive material projectile. The reactive material is formulated to provide at least one of an overpressure of greater than approximately 9 pounds per square inch at a radial measurement of 12 inches from a point of impact on a target, a hole greater than approximately 2 square inches at an optimum penetration level in a target, and pressure, damage, and a flame when the reactive material bullet impacts a target. The fuel may be a metal, a fusible metal alloy, an organic fuel, or mixtures thereof. The oxidizer may be an inorganic oxidizer, sulfur, a fluoropolymer, or mixtures thereof. A reactive material projectile having the reactive material disposed therein is also disclosed.

Claims (62)

1 . A reactive material, comprising:

reactive material components from at least two of the following three component categories:

at least one fuel;

at least one oxidizer; and

at least one class 1.1 explosive;

wherein the reactive material is suitable for use in a reactive material bullet, is formulated to provide at least one of an overpressure of greater than approximately 9 pounds per square inch at a radial measurement of 12 inches from a point of impact on a target, a hole greater than approximately 2 square inches at an optimum penetration level in a target, and pressure, damage, and a flame when the reactive material bullet impacts a target, and is present in the reactive material projectile in a sufficient mass to provide at least one of these properties.

2 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fuel is selected from the group consisting of a metal, a fusible metal alloy, an organic fuel, and mixtures thereof.

3 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the at least one oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of an inorganic oxidizer, sulfur, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof.

4 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fuel comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of hafnium, tantalum, nickel, zinc, tin, silicon, palladium, bismuth, iron, copper, phosphorous, aluminum, tungsten, zirconium, magnesium, boron, titanium, sulfur, magnalium, and mixtures thereof.

5 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fuel comprises an organic fuel selected from the group consisting of phenolphthalein, hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)nitrate, and mixtures thereof.

6 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fuel comprises a fusible metal alloy including at least one metal selected from the group consisting of bismuth, lead, tin, cadmium, indium, mercury, antimony, copper, gold, silver, and zinc.

7 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fuel comprises a fusible metal alloy having a constituency of about 57% bismuth, about 26% indium, and about 17% tin.

8 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the at least one oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of ammonium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, potassium nitrate, strontium nitrate, basic copper nitrate, cupric oxide, iron oxide, bismuth trioxide, tungsten oxides, molybdenum trioxide, and mixtures thereof.

9 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the at least one oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride, a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene, and mixtures thereof.

10 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the at least one class 1.1 explosive is selected from the group consisting of trinitrotoluene, cyclo-1,3,5-trimethylene-2,4,6-trinitramine, cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine, hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane, 4,10-dinitro-2,6,8,12-tetraoxa-4,10-diazatetracyclo-[5.5.0.0 5,9 .0 3,11 ]-dodecane, 1,3,3-trinitroazetine, ammonium dinitramide, 2,4,6-trinitro-1,3,5-benzenetriamine, dinitrotoluene, dinitroanisole, and mixtures thereof.

11 . The reactive material of claim 1 , further comprising at least one binder selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, epoxies, silicones, glycidyl azide polymers, polyesters, nylons, cellulose acetate butyrate, ethyl cellulose, graphite, (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal), and mixtures thereof.

12 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises tungsten, potassium perchlorate, and a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene.

13 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises bismuth, indium, tin, potassium perchlorate, cellulose acetate butyrate, and (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal).

14 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises aluminum, zirconium, and a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene.

15 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises magnesium, cupric oxide, and a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene.

16 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises hafnium and a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride.

17 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises aluminum, boron, and a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene.

18 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises zirconium and polytetrafluoroethylene.

19 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises bismuth, indium, tin, and potassium perchlorate.

20 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine, cellulose acetate butyrate, and (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal).

21 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises aluminum, potassium perchlorate, silicon, and a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride.

22 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises bismuth, indium, tin, aluminum, silicon, sulfur, potassium perchlorate, bisazidomethyloxetane, glycidylazide plasticizer, and (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal).

23 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine, cellulose acetate butyrate, (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal), aluminum, potassium perchlorate, silicon, and a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride.

24 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises zirconium and a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride.

25 . A reactive material projectile, comprising:

a case having a reactive material disposed therein, and a tip, wherein the reactive material

comprises reactive material components from at least two of the following three component categories:

at least one fuel;

at least one oxidizer; and

at least one class 1.1 explosive,

wherein the reactive material is formulated to provide at least one of an overpressure of greater than approximately 9 pounds per square inch at a radial measurement of 12 inches from a point of impact on a target, a hole greater than approximately 2 square inches at an optimum penetration level in a target, and pressure, damage, and a flame when the reactive material projectile impacts a target and is present in the reactive material projectile in a sufficient mass to provide at least one of these properties.

26 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material is formulated to initiate upon impact with a target.

27 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises at least one fuel selected from the group consisting of a metal, a fusible metal alloy, an organic fuel, and mixtures thereof.

28 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises at least one oxidizer selected from the group consisting of an inorganic oxidizer, sulfur, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof.

29 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises at least one fuel selected from the group consisting of hafnium, tantalum, nickel, zinc, tin, silicon, palladium, bismuth, iron, copper, phosphorous, aluminum, tungsten, zirconium, magnesium, boron, titanium, sulfur, magnalium, and mixtures thereof.

30 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises at least one fuel selected from the group consisting of phenolphthalein, hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate, and mixtures thereof.

31 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises a fusible metal alloy having at least one metal selected from the group consisting of bismuth, lead, tin, cadmium, indium, mercury, antimony, copper, gold, silver, and zinc.

32 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises a fusible metal alloy having a constituency of about 57% bismuth, about 26% indium, and about 17% tin.

33 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises at least one oxidizer selected from the group consisting of ammonium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, potassium nitrate, strontium nitrate, basic copper nitrate, cupric oxide, iron oxide, bismuth trioxide, tungsten oxides, molybdenum trioxide, and mixtures thereof.

34 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises at least one oxidizer selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride, a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene, and mixtures thereof.

35 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises at least one class 1.1 explosive selected from the group consisting of trinitrotoluene, cyclo-1,3,5-trimethylene-2,4,6-trinitramine, cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine, hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane, 4,10-dinitro-2,6,8,12-tetraoxa-4,10-diazatetracyclo-[5.5.0.0 5,9 .0 3,11 ]-dodecane, 1,3,3-trinitroazetine, ammonium dinitramide, 2,4,6-trinitro-1,3,5-benzenetriamine, dinitrotoluene, and mixtures thereof.

36 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , further comprising at least one binder selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, epoxies, polyesters, nylons, cellulose acetate butyrate, ethyl cellulose, silicone, graphite, and (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl) formal).

37 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises tungsten, potassium perchlorate, and a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene.

38 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises bismuth, indium, tin, potassium perchlorate, cellulose acetate butyrate, and (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal).

39 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises aluminum, zirconium, and a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene.

40 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises magnesium, cupric oxide, and a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene.

41 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises hafnium and a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride.

42 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises aluminum, boron, and a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene.

43 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises zirconium and polytetrafluoroethylene.

44 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises bismuth, indium, tin, and potassium perchlorate.

45 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine, cellulose acetate butyrate, and (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal).

46 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises aluminum, potassium perchlorate, silicon, and a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride.

47 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises bismuth, indium, tin, aluminum, silicon, sulfur, potassium perchlorate, bisazidomethyloxetane, glycidylazide plasticizer, and (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal).

48 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine, cellulose acetate butyrate, (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal), aluminum, potassium perchlorate, silicon, and a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride.

49 . The reactive material projectile of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises zirconium and a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride.

50 . The reactive material of claim 1 , wherein the reactive material is present in the reactive material projectile at a mass that ranges from approximately 1.74 g to approximately 12.99 g.

51 . The reactive material of claim 25 , wherein the reactive material is present in the reactive material projectile at a mass that ranges from approximately 1.74 g to approximately 12.99 g.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 7, 2015
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
Reel/Frame 036807/0671 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 22, 2015
From: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
To: ORBITAL ATK, INC.
Reel/Frame 035752/0471 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 24, 2007
From: AMMUNITION ACCESSORIES INC.; ATK COMMERCIAL AMMUNITION COMPANY INC.; ATK COMMERCIAL AMMUNITION HOLDINGS COMPANY INC.; ATK LAUNCH SYSTEMS INC.; ATK SPACE SYSTEMS INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; MICRO CRAFT INC.; ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 019733/0757 →
RE-RECORD TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 015566/0495 Recorded Jul 19, 2004
From: NIELSON, DANIEL B; ASHCROFT, BENJAMIN N.; DOLL, DANIEL W.
To: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
Reel/Frame 016293/0750 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 19, 2004
From: NIELSON, DANIEL B.; ASHCROFT, BENJAMIN N.; DOLL, DANIEL W.
To: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 015566/0495 →