Pyrotechnic compositions and uses therefore

Abstract

Pyrotechnic compositions having combustion reaction products that include a high percentage of carbon dioxide at high temperatures. These pyrotechnic compositions include a fuel component having combustion product with a relatively high percentage of carbon to hydrogen content, such as an aromatic polycarboxylic anhydride fuel component. These pyrotechnic compositions may be employed to emit infrared radiation from a decoy flare or other device. The compositions may also be employed as a gas generating propellant for a projectile, such as a flare or rocket, or for other applications such as an automobile airbag. These pyrotechnic compositions emit infrared emissions with minimized short wavelength components, and produce substantially non-toxic combustion gases having relatively small amounts of water vapor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.