Pyrophoric pellets that emit infrared radiation
AssigneeAlloy Surfaces Company, Inc.
InventorAndrew Davis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to pyrophoric pellets that break apart into individual particulates or agglomerates when exposed to air and emit infrared radiation. The pyrophoric pellets include: (a) about 35 to about 95 wt. % of pyrophoric particles; (b) about 0.05 to about 30 wt. % of one or more thermally expandable particles; (c) about 1 to about 40 wt. % of one or more additives that modify IR signature; and (d) optionally, one or more additives that produce smoke at a temperature of 150° C. or greater. The pyrophoric pellets are particularly useful as countermeasures to protect against incoming missiles.
Claims19
A pyrophoric pellet comprising:
- (a) about 35 to about 95 wt. % of pyrophoric particles;
- (b) about 0.05 to about 30 wt. % of one or more thermally expandable particles that undergo volume expansion upon reaching a temperature of at least 50° C., the volume expansion being at least 3 times the particles' unexpanded volume, wherein the thermally expandable particles are selected from thermally expandable microspheres, thermally expandable graphite having sulfur or nitrogen intercalated therein, or mixtures thereof;
- (c) optionally, about 1 to about 40 wt. % of one or more additives that modify infrared radiation signature;
- and
- (d) optionally, one or more additives that produce smoke at a temperature of 150° C. or greater;
- wherein the pellet self-ignites upon exposure to atmospheric oxygen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.