Autoignition propellant containing superfine iron oxide
AssigneeAtlantic Research Corporation
InventorBrian K. Wheatley
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Abstract
An autoignition propellant (AIP) is disclosed for use in conjunction with gas generative compositions for air bags to reduce the autoignition temperature of said propellant without adversely affecting the AIP's storage thermal stability. Said AIP consists essentially of A) a mixture of a) about 60 to 80% by weight KClO.sub.3, b) about 15 to about 30% by weight lactose and c) about 1 to about 10% by weight of an aliphatic polycarbonate and B) an autoignition lowering effective amount of superfine iron in an amount up to 10% by weight based upon the combined weight of A) and B). A method of using the AIP to lower autoignition temperatures and an air bag inflator containing the AIP are also disclosed.
Claims11
An autoignition propellant (AIP) for use with a gas generative composition for inflating an inflatable device, the AIP exhibiting a lower autoignition temperature while retaining its effectiveness after a 17-day storage at 107.degree. C., said autoignition propellant consisting essentially of
- A) a mixture containing the following components:
- a) about 60 to about 80% by weight KClO.sub.3 ;
- b) about 15 to about 30% by weight lactose;
- and
- c) about 1 to about 10% by weight of an aliphatic polycarbonate;
- and
- B) superfine iron oxide in an autoignition temperature lowering effective amount up to about 10% by weight based upon the combined weight of A) and B).
In an inflator for an inflatable device, which inflator includes an ignition composition, the improvement wherein as said ignition composition, there is provided
- A) a mixture containing the following components:
- a) about 60 to about 80% by weight KClO.sub.3 ;
- b) about 15 to about 30% by weight lactose;
- and
- c) about 1 to about 10% by weight of an aliphatic polycarbonate;
- in combination with
- B) superfine iron oxide in an autoignition temperature lowering effective amount up to about 10% by weight based upon the combined weight of A) and B).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.