Autoignition compositions
View Patent ↗A gas generator 10 includes an autoignition composition that contains an alkali metal chlorate such as potassium chlorate as an oxidizer, a carboxylic acid such as DL-tartaric acid as a fuel, and a desiccant in operable communication therewith. Gas generating systems 180 such as vehicle occupant protection systems 180 , containing the gas generator 10 , are also provided.
1. A nitrogen-free autoignition composition consisting of:
an alkali metal chlorate as an oxidizer provided at about 25-75 weight percent;
a fuel consisting of D,L-tartaric acid and succinic acid provided at about 25-75 weight percent; and
a desiccant provided at about 5-35 weight percent, said percentages stated by weight of the total gas generant composition.
2. The composition of claim 1 wherein said alkali metal chlorate is potassium chlorate.
3. The composition of claim 1 wherein said desiccant is selected from the group consisting of silica, zeolite, and calcium oxide.
4. The composition of claim 1 wherein said desiccant is zeolite.
5. The composition of claim 1 wherein said desiccant is selected to provide a mass differential after heat aging at 107 C for 400 hours, of about -5.0% to 5.0 %.
6. A gas generator comprising:
a nitrogen-free auto-ignition composition consisting of an alkali metal chlorate as an oxidizer provided at about 25-75 weight percent, and one or more carboxylic acids as a fuel provided at about 25-75 weight percent, said percentages stated by weight of the total composition;
and
a zeolite in vapor communication with said composition.