An engineered composite system designed to be passive or inert under one set of conditions, but becomes active when exposed to a second set of conditions. This system can include a dissolving or disintegrating core, and a surface coating that has higher strength or which only dissolves under certain temperature and pH conditions, or in selected fluids. 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, but which can be stored and used for long periods of time without degradation.

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 controlled portable combustion composition, comprising a carrier, where the carrier functions as a binder and as a fuel for combustion, an oxidizer, and, an auxiliary agent, where the auxiliary agent is a transitional substance and a flame retardant which renders the composition flameless; and where substantially all of the carrier, the oxidizer, and the auxiliary agent are converted to smoke at the end of said combustion.

A controlled portable combustion composition, comprising a carrier, where the carrier functions as a binder and as a fuel for combustion, an oxidizer, and, an auxiliary agent, where the auxiliary agent is a transitional substance and a flame retardant which renders the composition flameless; and where substantially all of the carrier, the oxidizer, and the auxiliary agent are converted to smoke at the end of said combustion.

An engineered composite system designed to be passive or inert under one set of conditions, but becomes active when exposed to a second set of conditions. This system can include a dissolving or disintegrating core, and a surface coating that has higher strength or which only dissolves under certain temperature and pH conditions, or in selected fluids. 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, but which can be stored and used for long periods of time without degradation.

An engineered composite system designed to be passive or inert under one set of conditions, but becomes active when exposed to a second set of conditions. This system can include a dissolving or disintegrating core, and a surface coating that has higher strength or which only dissolves under certain temperature and pH conditions, or in selected fluids. 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, but which can be stored and used for long periods of time without degradation.

An explosive composition, an insensitive munition with a metal eutectic binder, and a method include using a metal eutectic binder with metal coated explosive particles. The metal eutectic binder concept represents novel melt-cast solid mixtures having explosives such as RDX (cyclonite) or HMX (octogen) distributed in an alloy including, for example, eutectic bismuth (Bi)/tin (Sn). Eutectic alloys are particularly considered to provide a melting point of the mixture below the exothermic point of the explosive so that vented munitions disarm by melting without exploding in the event of fire or other elevated heating. Particularly novel is the pre-coating of crystals of explosive (RDX/HMX) with a metal to promote wetting and bonding during melt fabrication of the final mixture. Copper, aluminum, and other metals are considered for use as coating.

Explosive compositions including coated urea and an explosive including ammonium nitrate and fuel oil are provided. The explosive compositions can generate reduced levels of nitrogen oxide upon detonation. Methods of loading a blasthole with the explosive compositions and methods of reducing post-blast nitrogen oxide are also provided.

Explosive compositions including coated urea and an explosive including ammonium nitrate and fuel oil are provided. The explosive compositions can generate reduced levels of nitrogen oxide upon detonation. Methods of loading a blasthole with the explosive compositions and methods of reducing post-blast nitrogen oxide are also provided.