Pyrotechnics containing oleoresin

Abstract

A pyrotechnic composition includes a fuel, an oxidizer, flow and rate control agents and oleoresin capsicum as an irritant. The composition is useful in crowd control products. The composition contains rate control ingredients to maintain combustion at a temperature below the point of degradation of the oleoresin capsicum, balanced with a booster material to maintain combustion.

Claims

1. A pyrotechnic composition comprising: a fuel; an oxidizer; flow and rate control agents; oleoresin capsicum; and further including a booster material that includes: (a) magnesium stearate; and (b) a dry slurry powder that is made of approximately 10% to 20% silicon; 20% to 35% potassium nitrate; 1% to 15% carbon; 15% to 30% iron oxide; 5% to 20% aluminum; and 15% to 25% nitrocellulose.

2. A pyrotechnic composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the dry slurry powder is made of approximately 15% to 18% silicon, 25% to 28% potassium, 2% to 5% carbon, 25% to 28% iron oxide, 10% to 15% aluminum, and 16% to 20% nitrocellulose.

3. A pyrotechnic composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein a mixture including the fuel and oxidizer includes approximately 13% to 24% potassium chlorate, 3% to 22% baker's sugar, 6% to 22% magnesium carbonate, 20% to 40% terephthalic acid, 2% to 28% dye, 1% to 25% magnesium stearate, and 20% to 35% nitrocellulose.

4. A pyrotechnic composition comprising: a fuel; an oxidizer; flow and rate control agents; oleoresin capsicum; a booster material that is combined with magnesium stearate; and further including a dry slurry powder that is made of approximately 10% to 20% silicon; 20% to 35% potassium nitrate; 1% to 15% carbon; 1% to 30% iron oxide; 5% to 20% aluminum; and 15% to 25% nitrocellulose.

5. A pyrotechnic composition as set forth in claim 4 wherein the dry slurry powder is made of approximately 15% to 18% silicon, 25% to 28% potassium, 2% to 5% carbon, 25% to 28% iron oxide, 10% to 15% aluminum, and 16% to 20% nitrocellulose.

6. A pyrotechnic composition as set forth in claim 4 wherein a mixture including the fuel and oxidizer includes approximately 13% to 24% potassium chlorate, 3% to 22% baker's sugar, 6% to 22% magnesium carbonate, 20% to 40% terephthalic acid, 2% to 28% dye, 1% to 25% magnesium stearate, and 20% to 35% nitrocellulose.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a munition of the type that can contain a pyrotechnic material in accordance with the invention, specifically, a hand grenade; and

(2) FIG. 2 is a simplified flow chart showing a manufacturing process in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(3) In general, this invention relates to a smoke composition comprising oleoresin capsicum (OC) that is part of a pyrotechnic composition containing oxidizer(s) and reducer(s) that are tailored to allow a combustion reaction without complete degradation of OC compounds. With increases in OC solids content a mixing procedure has been developed which adds flowing agents to liquid solution, separately mixed, before combining with other pyrotechnic components. Together with additional booster (combustion enhancer) and flow agent components, this process produces pyrotechnic material meeting the aforementioned performance requirements. It also generates material that can be reproduced and used without issue in fabricating associated munitions.

(4) This invention incorporates OC into a pyrotechnic composition. Dry components of fuel, oxidizer, and flow agents are mixed together with each other. Separately, a binder component, including the OC, is mixed as a solution. Dry, stabilizing, flow agents are also blended in the wet binder solution. The wet and dry mixtures are then blended together to form the pyrotechnic composition.

(5) A booster material (combustion enhancer) in the form of a powder is blended into the pyrotechnic composition. This booster material promotes manufacturability by absorbing additional moisture and reducing friction of composition inside press equipment. In addition, this booster material leads to more consistent performance by reducing the amount of energy required for transfer of ignition from the initiating device to the consolidated pyrotechnic composition. The addition of flow agents to the OC binder solution, and the addition of the booster material, produce successful consolidation and performance of the overall composition, which can be easily mixed, pressed, and ignited with desired effects.

(6) A composition of the present invention can be carried by a container such as a grenade of the type illustrated generally in FIG. 1. The composition may be prepared as follows.

(7) The method includes generally the following steps: Prepare a first mixture (which may be a dry mix) including fuel and oxidizer; make a second mixture (which may be a wet solution) including OC; blend the first mixture with the second mixture to form the smoke composition; dry and granulate the smoke composition; and prepare and add a booster material.

(8) In an initial step, a first mixture is prepared (FIG. 2, step 102) that includes 14% to 24% and preferably 17% to 21%, potassium chlorate; 3% to 22%, and preferably 11 to 16% baker's sugar; 6% to 22% and preferably 8% to 13%, magnesium carbonate (a rate controlling agent); 20% to 40% and preferably 25% to 30%, terephthalic acid; 2% to 28% and preferably 2% to 6% dye; 1% to 25%, and preferably 2% to 6% magnesium stearate (flow and rate controlling and drying agent); and 20% to 35%, and preferably 26% to 30% nitrocellulose. These components are mixed then dried at room temperature.

(9) In a separate step, a second mixture is prepared (step 104) that includes the OC, which is the irritant ingredient. The second mixture is a blend of 3% to 26%, and preferably 6% to 10% OC; and 74% to 97%, and preferably 90% to 94% acetone. The second mixture preferably also includes a flow agent in the form of 1% to 10%, and preferably 1% magnesium stearate. Use of a flow agent of the proper proportions and physical properties can improve homogeneity and reduce clumping of this blend. Excessive amounts of a flow agent, for example more than 8% to 20% by total weight and possibly less than 8% to 20%, can inhibit consolidation and ignition of the final composition.

(10) The second mixture is then added to the first mixture (step 106) to make the basic pyrotechnic smoke composition, which is then dried and granulated (step 108).

(11) Separately, a booster material (combustion enhancer) is prepared for addition to the basic pyrotechnic smoke composition, to increase batch weight by up to 3% to 15%, and preferably 7% to 10%. Specifically, a booster material is provided (step 110) that is a combination of (a) magnesium stearate and (b) a dry slurry powder that is made of approximately 10% to 20% and preferably 15% to 18% silicon; 20% to 35% and preferably 25% to 28% potassium nitrate; 1% to 15% and preferably 2% to 5% carbon; 15% to 30% and preferably 25% to 28% iron oxide; 5% to 20% and preferably 10% to 15% aluminum; and 15% to 25% and preferably 16% to 20% nitrocellulose. This booster material is added (step 112) to the pyrotechnic composition in the form of a powder.

(12) A typical pyrotechnic material without rate controlling agents can generate temperatures in excess of 1000 F., in standard atmospheric conditions. Such temperatures can, as noted above, degrade OC. With the present invention, however, degradation of the OC is limited through control of temperature via the rate controlling agents. This effect is balanced by use of the booster material, which increases sensitivity of the pyrotechnic material, i.e., its ability to burn. This balance maintains combustion of the bulk pyrotechnic material at a controlled rate while avoiding excessive thermal output of the reaction which would lead to OC decomposition.

(13) Smoke, a solid particulate, is generated from burning of the consolidated pyrotechnic composition. The smoke is coupled to the OC solids, carrying them into the air. Exposure to the pyrotechnic OC composition of the present invention produces rapid inflammation of respiratory tracts and difficulty breathing without pain. In highly concentrated doses, the applied OC can induce severe coughing and vomiting. Almost all immediate effects (such as nasal discharge and coughing) cease shortly after cessation of exposure, within 10 minutes as compared to 30 to 60 minutes for tear gas, although in a few cases a feeling of burning and irritated skin may persist for hours. Room clean up is also much easier and quicker when compared to traditional OC and tear-gas products, as tear gas permeates surfaces while OC does not; the OC can simply be rinsed away.

(14) From the above description, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes, and modifications in the invention. Such improvements, changes, and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.