Lead free microdet electric detonators comprising a bridgewire having milled DBX-1 as a spot charge and unmilled DBX-1 as the intermediate material. Such improved microdet electric detonator is free of lead azide and lead styphnate, but with comparable stability, power and sensitivity to current lead-based M100 electric detonators.

Exploding foil initiator apparatus, system, and method that improve the current density in the bridge region by modifying the shape and dimensions of the bridge and related components. The exploding foil initiator reduces burn-back by making areas of the bridge thicker except directly under the flyer. The exploding foil initiator boards are built so the flyer is not connected to the rest of the top cover-lay. This avoids losing energy due to the flyer having to tear away from the solid cover-lay.

An initiator assembly that includes a housing assembly, an exploding foil initiator, an input charge and an output charge. The housing assembly defines a first cavity, a second cavity, and a bulkhead member between the first and second cavities. The exploding foil initiator is received in the housing assembly and includes a bridge, a flyer and a barrel. The flyer overlies the bridge and is disposed between the barrel and the bridge. The barrel defines a barrel aperture. The input charge, which is formed of a secondary explosive, is received in the housing assembly and is disposed in-line with the barrel aperture. The output charge assembly is received in the housing assembly and is formed of a secondary explosive. Energy released from detonation of the input charge in response to operation of the exploding foil initiator penetrates the bulkhead and initiates detonation of the output charge.

Described are energetic compositions formed of a 5,5-bistetrazole salt and a perchlorate salt, in which the energetic composition is a co-precipitated product. The 5,5-bistetrazole salt and the perchlorate salt can be dipotassium 5,5-bistetrazole and potassium perchlorate. The energetic composition can have a particle size distribution between 1-50 micron and/or a mean volume diameter of less than 30 micron. In a low energy electro-explosive device, an ignition element is at least partially surrounded by an acceptor formed of this energetic composition, and the ignition element can be a bridgewire, a thin film bridge, a semiconductor bridge, or a reactive semiconductor bridge.

Exploding foil initiator apparatus, system, and method that improve the current density in the bridge region by modifying the shape and dimensions of the bridge and related components. The exploding foil initiator reduces burn-back by making areas of the bridge thicker except directly under the flyer. The exploding foil initiator boards are built so the flyer is not connected to the rest of the top cover-lay. This avoids losing energy due to the flyer having to tear away from the solid cover-lay.

An initiator assembly that includes a housing assembly, an exploding foil initiator, an input charge and an output charge. The housing assembly defines a first cavity, a second cavity, and a bulkhead member between the first and second cavities. The exploding foil initiator is received in the housing assembly and includes a bridge, a flyer and a barrel. The flyer overlies the bridge and is disposed between the barrel and the bridge. The barrel defines a barrel aperture. The input charge, which is formed of a secondary explosive, is received in the housing assembly and is disposed in-line with the barrel aperture. The output charge assembly is received in the housing assembly and is formed of a secondary explosive. Energy released from detonation of the input charge in response to operation of the exploding foil initiator penetrates the bulkhead and initiates detonation of the output charge.

The invention relates to an igniting unit (10), especially for an inflator, comprising an electric igniter (11) including a first inner cap (12) which forms a space (14) for being filled with a booster propellant charge with a second outer cap (13). In accordance with the invention, the second cap (13) is an electrically non-conductive insulating cap.

Described are energetic compositions formed of a 5,5-bistetrazole salt and a perchlorate salt, in which the energetic composition is a co-precipitated product. The 5,5-bistetrazole salt and the perchlorate salt can be dipotassium 5,5-bistetrazole and potassium perchlorate. The energetic composition can have a particle size distribution between 1-50 micron and/or a mean volume diameter of less than 30 micron. In a low energy electro-explosive device, an ignition element is at least partially surrounded by an acceptor formed of this energetic composition, and the ignition element can be a bridgewire, a thin film bridge, a semiconductor bridge, or a reactive semiconductor bridge.

An initiator assembly that includes a housing assembly, an exploding foil initiator, an input charge and an output charge. The exploding foil initiator is received in the housing assembly and includes a bridge, a flyer and a barrel. The flyer overlies the bridge and is disposed between the barrel and the bridge. The barrel defines a barrel aperture. The input charge, which is formed of a secondary explosive, is received in the housing assembly and is disposed in-line with the barrel aperture. The output charge assembly is received in the housing assembly and is segregated from the input charge.

The invention relates to an igniting unit (10), especially for an inflator, comprising an electric igniter (11) including a first inner cap (12) which forms a space (14) for being filled with a booster propellant charge with a second outer cap (13). In accordance with the invention, the second cap (13) is an electrically non-conductive insulating cap.