Lead-Free Ignition Charge Using Boron Lubricants

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Combustion residues of lead and barium-containing compounds in igniters are toxic and ecologically questionable, and their poor tribological properties reduce the functionality of weapons and bolt pushing devices.

Innovation Solution

A lead- and barium-free ignition charge that contains no oxidizing agents, using boron and/or boron derivatives to improve tribological properties, forming metal boron oxides and acting as a lubricant in combustion residues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lead and barium-containing compounds are used in igniters, then the ignition function is achieved, but the combustion residues are toxic and ecologically harmful

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveignition functionVSAvoidtoxicity and ecological harm
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the harmful lead and barium components from the ignition charge composition, replacing them with environmentally friendly alternatives such as potassium perchlorate as oxidizing agent and zinc dust or aluminum powder as reducing agents, thereby eliminating toxicity and ecological harm while maintaining ignition functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the ignition charge by substituting toxic heavy metals with non-toxic compounds, specifically using potassium perchlorate instead of lead styphnate and barium peroxide, and adjusting the oxidizer-to-reducer ratio to achieve optimal ignition performance without harmful residues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If barium peroxide is used as oxidizing agent, then the ignition reaction is enhanced, but the combustion residues have poor tribological properties reducing weapon functionality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveignition reaction intensityVSAvoidweapon functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes barium peroxide from the composition and replaces it with potassium perchlorate as the oxidizing agent, which produces combustion residues with superior tribological properties that do not impair the mechanical functionality of weapon components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite ignition charge system combining potassium perchlorate with zinc dust or aluminum powder and various sensitizers, where the synergistic interaction of components provides both high ignition power and clean combustion residues that maintain weapon reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If zinc peroxide is used to replace barium peroxide, then health and ecological harm is reduced, but the combustion residues have corrosive and functionally inhibiting effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehealth and ecological harmVSAvoidmechanical component functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts zinc peroxide from the composition and replaces it with potassium perchlorate combined with zinc dust or aluminum powder, which eliminates both the health and ecological harm of peroxide compounds while producing non-corrosive combustion residues that preserve mechanical component functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical state of zinc from peroxide form (harmful) to metallic dust form (beneficial), and adjusts the oxidation process to produce zinc oxide or zinc borate residues that are non-corrosive and have good tribological properties, thereby maintaining mechanical functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures high functional reliability and long functional life of mechanically loaded parts, reducing contamination and maintaining functionality without oxidizing agents.

Implementation Method 1

the formation of metal boron oxides, especially when using potassium dinitrobenzofuroxanate of potassium borate, which has a positive effect on the tribological properties of the combustion residues

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

The boron nitride also acts as a lubricant in the combustion residues

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 3

this igniter contains boron and/or boron derivatives... In addition to the initial explosive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Data Source

PatentEP2027080B1Ignition charge
Publication Date: 2016.07.20 RWS GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a lead- and barium-free ignition charge which does not contain any oxidant and its use.