105results about "Pyrophoric compositions" patented technology

Compositions are provided which, when burned, produce significant levels of infrared radiation, but only limited levels of visible radiation. The basic components of the compositions include a binder, an oxidizer, and a fuel, where the binder also acts the fuel. Preferred oxidizers include those compounds which produce large quantities of infrared radiation when the flare composition is burned. Such oxidizers include potassium nitrate, cesium nitrate, rubidium nitrate, and combinations of these compounds. Selection of the binder is important in order to provide the composition with the desirable characteristics identified above. The binder of the present invention does not produce significant soot. At the same time, the binder serves to form a composition which is processible, avoids chunking, and is compatible with the oxidizers used. It has been found that polymer binders which include relatively short carbon chains (1-6 continuous carbon atoms) are preferred. Examples of such polymers include polyesters, polyethers, polyamides, and polyamines.

An active composition for a decoy which radiates spectrally as the active composition burns, contains an additive which is distributed in the active composition and which increases the ratio of the intensity of radiation emitted during combustion of the active composition in the wavelength range from 3.7 to 5.1 μm to the intensity of radiation emitted during combustion of the active composition in the wavelength range from 1.9 to 2.3 μm. The active composition contains a fuel having carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms, and an oxidizer for the fuel, containing oxygen atoms. The amount of the oxidizer being such that it is not sufficient for complete oxidation of the carbon, and the additive being a catalyst present in the form of particles that catalyzes a redox reaction.