The present invention relates to a nano-energetic material (nEM) composite having ignition and explosion characteristics by a low-power laser pointer beam and capable of being remotely and optically ignited by adding black powder to nEM composite powder, and a method of preparing the same. The nEM composite includes: nEM composite powder; and black powder used as a mediator for initial ignition to initiate ignition in response to a laser pointer beam and cause a nEM to be continuously ignited and consecutively explode by ignition heat.

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 elements 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 elements 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.

An iron powder for an exothermic composition according to the present invention has a bulk density of 0.3 to 1.5 g/cm.sup.3. Furthermore, an exothermic composition according to the present invention contains the iron powder, a carbon material, a halide salt, and water. Furthermore, an exothermic body production method according to the present invention includes: forming a coated member by coating a base material sheet with a flowable exothermic composition containing the iron powder, a carbon material, and water; and adjusting an amount of moisture in the coated member by removing water from the coated member. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a production method for the iron powder (an iron powder for an exothermic composition) including: a reducing step of reducing iron oxide to obtain reduced iron; and a step of milling the reduced iron. In the reducing step, the iron oxide is reduced by introducing iron oxide and a solid reductant with a volatile matter content of 10% by mass or more into a heating furnace whose internal portion contains no sulfur gas or is set to an air or inert gas atmosphere, and setting the internal portion to a reducing gas atmosphere through heating under a condition that an ambient temperature of the internal portion is from 900 to 1000° C.

An iron powder for an exothermic composition according to the present invention has a bulk density of 0.3 to 1.5 g/cm.sup.3. Furthermore, an exothermic composition according to the present invention contains the iron powder, a carbon material, a halide salt, and water. Furthermore, an exothermic body production method according to the present invention includes: forming a coated member by coating a base material sheet with a flowable exothermic composition containing the iron powder, a carbon material, and water; and adjusting an amount of moisture in the coated member by removing water from the coated member. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a production method for the iron powder (an iron powder for an exothermic composition) including: a reducing step of reducing iron oxide to obtain reduced iron; and a step of milling the reduced iron. In the reducing step, the iron oxide is reduced by introducing iron oxide and a solid reductant with a volatile matter content of 10% by mass or more into a heating furnace whose internal portion contains no sulfur gas or is set to an air or inert gas atmosphere, and setting the internal portion to a reducing gas atmosphere through heating under a condition that an ambient temperature of the internal portion is from 900 to 1000° C.

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.

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.

The invention relates to high density reactive materials, preferably materials with a high density and exothermic output

There is provided a high density reactive material comprising, A) at least two separate group 4 metals, present in the range of from 40 to 90% wt B) at least one oxidiser or alloying metal, present in the range of from 5 to 55% wt C) a binder present in the range of 1-10% wt.
wherein said reagents and optional pressing aids are present in substantially 100% wt.