# US 8,784,583 B2 · Priming mixtures for small arms > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,784,583 B2 - Document ID: US8784583B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/764,246 - Filed: 2004-01-23 - Published: 2005-08-25 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2004-01-23 - Assignees: RA Brands, L.L.C. - Applicants: Donald Allen Pile; Henry J. John, Jr. - Inventors: Donald Allen Pile; Henry J. John, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784583B2 ## CPC - C06B 43/00: Compositions characterised by explosive or thermic constituents not provided for in groups C06B25/00 - C06B41/00 - C06B 25/04: the nitrated compound being an aromatic - C06C 7/00: Non-electric detonators; Blasting caps; Primers - C06B: EXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS (blasting F42D); MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES (compounds in general C01, C07 or C08; {demolition agents based on cementitious or like materials C04B41/0009}) - C06C: DETONATING OR PRIMING DEVICES; FUSES (ammunition fuzes F42C); CHEMICAL LIGHTERS; PYROPHORIC COMPOSITIONS ## Abstract A primer for small arms ammunition including a primary explosive and an oxidizer system containing bismuth oxide is provided. A method of forming the primer and a small arms ammunition cartridge also is provided. The oxidizer system can be non-hygroscopic and non-toxic. The primer can include reducing agents or fuels, sensitizers, binders and gas producing agents. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A priming mixture for small arms ammunition comprising: a primary explosive selected from the group consisting of: trinitroresorcinol, mercury fulminate, lead azide, lead styphnate, silver azide, diazodinitrophenol, tetrazene, potassium dinitrobenzofuroxane, heavy metal salts of 5-nitrotetrazole, and any combination thereof; a gas producing agent of about 5% to about 20% by weight; a fuel; and a non-hygroscopic, non-corrosive oxidizer system comprising bismuth oxide, wherein the bismuth oxide comprises at least 15% by weight of the priming mixture. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The priming mixture of claim 1, wherein the oxidizer system further comprises a secondary oxidizer selected from potassium nitrate, zinc peroxide, manganese dioxide, molybdenum trioxide, strontium nitrate, strontium peroxide, tin oxide, iron oxide, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The priming mixture of claim 1, wherein the gas producing agent is selected from the pentaerythritol tetranitrate, trinitrotoluene, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The priming mixture of claim 1, wherein the fuel is selected from aluminum, boron, calcium silicide, magnesium, magnesium-aluminum alloy, silicon, titanium, tungsten, zirconium, nitrocellulose, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The priming mixture of claim 1, wherein the priming mixture is substantially free of lead. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The priming mixture of claim 1, wherein the priming mixture is non-toxic. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A small arms ammunition cartridge comprising: a case; and, the priming mixture of claim 1 disposed in the case. ### Claim 8 A priming mixture for small arms ammunition comprising: about 20% to about 70% by weight of a primary explosive selected from the group consisting of: trinitroresorcinol, mercury fulminate, lead azide, lead styphnate, silver azide, diazodinitrophenol, tetrazene, potassium dinitrobenzofuroxane, heavy metal salts of 5-nitrotetrazole, and any combination thereof; about 10% to about 70% by weight of an oxidizer system comprising bismuth oxide, wherein the bismuth oxide comprises at least 15% by weight of the priming mixture; about 5% to about 25% by weight of a gas producing agent; about 0% to about 20% by weight of a sensitizer; and, about 5% to about 20% by weight of a reducing agent. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The priming mixture of claim 8, wherein the priming mixture comprises about 25% to about 50% by weight of the primary explosive. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The priming mixture of claim 8, wherein the priming mixture comprises about 25% to about 55% by weight of the oxidizer system. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The priming mixture of claim 8, wherein the priming mixture comprises about 5% to about 20% by weight of the sensitizer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The priming mixture of claim 8, wherein the oxidizer system further comprises a secondary oxidizer selected from potassium nitrate, zinc peroxide, manganese dioxide, molybdenum trioxide, strontium nitrate, strontium peroxide, barium nitrate, tin oxide, iron oxide, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The priming mixture of claim 8, wherein the oxidizer system is non-hygroscopic. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The priming mixture of claim 8, wherein the priming mixture is substantially free of lead. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The priming mixture of claim 8, wherein the priming mixture is non-toxic. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) A small arms ammunition round comprising: a priming mixture as disclosed in claim 8; a propellant adapted to be initiated by the priming mixture; and a projectile. ### Claim 17 A priming mixture for small arms ammunition comprising: about 25% to about 50% by weight of a primary explosive selected from the group consisting of: trinitroresorcinol, mercury fulminate, lead azide, lead styphnate, silver azide, diazodinitrophenol, tetrazene, potassium dinitrobenzofuroxane, heavy metal salts of 5-nitrotetrazole, and any combination thereof; a gas producing agent of about 5% to about 15% by weight; and, about 25% to about 55% by weight of an oxidizer system comprising bismuth oxide, wherein the bismuth oxide comprises at least 15% by weight of the priming mixture. ### Claim 18 The priming mixture of claim of 17, wherein the gas producing agent is selected from pentaerythritol tetranitrate, trinitrotoluene, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The priming mixture of claim 17, further comprising about 5% to about 20% by weight of a sensitizer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The priming mixture of claim 19, wherein the oxidizer system is non-corrosive and non-hygroscopic. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The priming mixture of claim 17, further comprising about 5% to about 20% by weight of a reducing agent. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The priming mixture of claim 21, wherein the reducing agent is selected from aluminum, boron, calcium silicide, magnesium, magnesium-aluminum alloy, silicon, titanium, tungsten, zirconium, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The priming mixture of claim 17, wherein the oxidizer system further comprises an oxidizer selected from potassium nitrate, zinc peroxide, manganese dioxide, molybdenum trioxide, strontium nitrate, strontium peroxide, barium nitrate, tin oxide, iron oxide, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) The priming mixture of claim 17, wherein the priming mixture is substantially free of lead. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The priming mixture of claim 1, further comprising a sensitizer. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The priming mixture of claim 25, wherein the sensitizer is tetrazene. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The priming mixture of claim 1, wherein the gas producing agent comprises a single or double nitrate propellant.