A plug for plugging wells, and in particular oil and gas wells, is provided. The plug has a plug body formed from an outer metal tube of a reduced thickness. The plug also has reinforcement means, attached to an inner surface of the outer tube, that give the plug a cross-sectional structural strength that is at least equivalent to that of a thicker metal tube. The plug has a central heater receiving void located along the axis of the plug to enable a plug deployment heater to be received therein. Also provided is a plug assembly with a variable cross-sectional area in a plane perpendicular to the plane in which the assembly is deployed during the plugging of underground conduits.

A fast utility access device (FUAD) is provided that includes one or more casings, each of the one or more casings collectively defining a bore, and a core of a highly exothermic composition contained in the bore and surrounded by a thermally insulating inner liner, the highly exothermic composition ignitable to create a post-ignition temperature of between 500° C. and 4000° C. A method is also provided for breaching a target and includes contacting the inventive access device with a breaching target substrate, thermally coupling at least one reaction initiator to the highly exothermic composition, triggering the at least one reaction initiator thereby igniting the highly exothermic composition, and allowing the highly exothermic composition to achieve a post-ignition temperature sufficient to melt the breaching target substrate, forming a hole therethrough.

A fast utility access device (FUAD) is provided that includes one or more casings, each of the one or more casings collectively defining a bore, and a core of a highly exothermic composition contained in the bore and surrounded by a thermally insulating inner liner, the highly exothermic composition ignitable to create a post-ignition temperature of between 500° C. and 4000° C. A method is also provided for breaching a target and includes contacting the inventive access device with a breaching target substrate, thermally coupling at least one reaction initiator to the highly exothermic composition, triggering the at least one reaction initiator thereby igniting the highly exothermic composition, and allowing the highly exothermic composition to achieve a post-ignition temperature sufficient to melt the breaching target substrate, forming a hole therethrough.

A high strength engineered reactive matrix composite that includes a core material and a reactive binder matrix combined in high volumes and with controlled spacing and distribution to produce both high strength and controlled reactivity. The engineered reactive matrix composite includes a repeating metal, ceramic, or composite particle core material and a reactive binder/matrix, and wherein the reactive/matrix binder is distributed relatively homogeneously around the core particles, and wherein the reactivity of the reactive binder/matrix is engineered by controlling the relative chemistry and interfacial surface area of the reactive components. These reactive materials are useful for oil and gas completions and well stimulation processes, enhanced oil and gas recovery operations, as well as in defensive and mining applications requiring high energy density and good mechanical properties.

A high strength engineered reactive matrix composite that includes a core material and a reactive binder matrix combined in high volumes and with controlled spacing and distribution to produce both high strength and controlled reactivity. The engineered reactive matrix composite includes a repeating metal, ceramic, or composite particle core material and a reactive binder/matrix, and wherein the reactive/matrix binder is distributed relatively homogeneously around the core particles, and wherein the reactivity of the reactive binder/matrix is engineered by controlling the relative chemistry and interfacial surface area of the reactive components. These reactive materials are useful for oil and gas completions and well stimulation processes, enhanced oil and gas recovery operations, as well as in defensive and mining applications requiring high energy density and good mechanical properties.

The present invention is a pyrotechnic time delay system that is improved over prior-art designs. Specifically, the system described herein comprises at least one delay element. The delay element or delay dements each have an input charge, a delay composition, and an output charge. Both the input charge and the output charge are igniter compositions and are comprised of the same components despite having different functional goals. The input charge and output charge compositions preferably contain titanium, manganese dioxide, and polytetrafluoroethylene. The delay composition may be modified from current formulations to include manganese and manganese dioxide, or tungsten and manganese dioxide. The system disclosed herein may be comprised of one delay element, or it may be modular wherein multiple delay elements are connected in series.

The present invention is a pyrotechnic time delay system that is improved over prior-art designs. Specifically, the system described herein comprises at least one delay element. The delay element or delay dements each have an input charge, a delay composition, and an output charge. Both the input charge and the output charge are igniter compositions and are comprised of the same components despite having different functional goals. The input charge and output charge compositions preferably contain titanium, manganese dioxide, and polytetrafluoroethylene. The delay composition may be modified from current formulations to include manganese and manganese dioxide, or tungsten and manganese dioxide. The system disclosed herein may be comprised of one delay element, or it may be modular wherein multiple delay elements are connected in series.

Coated Al—Li alloys, such as coated particles of Al—Li alloys, are provided. The coated alloys may be used in solid-rocket propellants. Additionally, methods of making such coated alloys, alloys coated with various methods, and solid-rocket propellants comprising such coated alloys are also provided.

Coated Al—Li alloys, such as coated particles of Al—Li alloys, are provided. The coated alloys may be used in solid-rocket propellants. Additionally, methods of making such coated alloys, alloys coated with various methods, and solid-rocket propellants comprising such coated alloys are also provided.

A self-glowing solid material comprises a man-made metal mixture containing at least one rare earth metal and an oxide of iron. The material is inducible by flame initiation to self-glow with yellow-to-red colors (577-to-700 nanometer wavelengths). A stealth tracer ammunition comprises a projectile body having a tip and a base, and a solid pellet disposed in the base. The pellet may be made from the above-mentioned self-glowing solid material or another suitable material. The pellet becomes incandescent as a result of being heated when the ammunition is fired. The incandescent pellet emits a glow observable only from behind when the ammunition travels downrange after being fired. An illuminant comprises a bimodal blend of a man-made metal mixture containing at least one rare earth metal and an oxide of iron. The bimodal blend is a blend of smaller-sized fragments and larger-sized pellets. The illuminant is capable of ignition and dispersion in response to ballistic energy to create illumination. An illumination device comprises a body having an interior cavity, the body configured to be launched as a projectile or configured to contain projectiles. An illuminant is disposed in the cavity, the illuminant comprising a bimodal blend of a suitable illuminant material. The illuminant is capable of ignition and dispersion in response to ballistic energy to create illumination.