Tin alloy sheathed explosive device

Abstract

A substantially lead-free tin alloy composition that may be used with sheathed explosive devices in a variety of linear explosive devices, such as ignition cords, mild detonating cords, and linear shaped charges. The tin alloy may also be used as a liner for shaped explosive devices.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A linear explosive device comprising: 
 a sheath that is substantially lead-free, wherein said sheath is formed from a tin alloy comprising: 
 a percentage of zinc of from about 1 percent to about 6 percent by weight, and  
 a percentage of tin of from about 99 to about 94 percent by weight;  
   wherein said sheath at least partially encases a reactive material selected from the group consisting of explosive material, deflagrating material, pyrotechnic material, and mixtures thereof.    
     
     
         2 . The linear explosive device of  claim 1 , wherein the percentage of zinc in the tin alloy is about 4 percent by weight.  
     
     
         3 . The linear explosive device of  claim 1 , wherein the percentage of zinc in the tin alloy is about 6 percent by weight.  
     
     
         4 . The linear explosive device of  claim 1 , wherein said device is an ignition cord.  
     
     
         5 . The linear explosive device of  claim 1 , wherein said device is a linear shaped charge.  
     
     
         6 . The linear explosive device of  claim 1 , wherein said device is a mild detonating cord.  
     
     
         7 . An aircraft canopy fracturing system for creating an opening in the canopy comprising: 
 a transparent material forming at least part of the aircraft canopy; and    a linear explosive device, wherein said linear explosive device comprises a sheath that is substantially lead-free, and wherein said sheath is formed from a tin alloy comprising: 
 a percentage of zinc of from about 1 percent to about 15 percent by weight, and  
 a percentage of tin of from about 80 to about 99 percent by weight;  
   wherein said sheath at least partially encases a reactive material selected from the group consisting of explosive material, deflagrating material, pyrotechnic material, and mixtures thereof.    
     
     
         8 . The aircraft canopy fracturing system of  claim 7 , wherein the percentage of zinc in the substantially lead-free sheath is from about 1 to about 5 percent by weight.  
     
     
         9 . The aircraft canopy fracturing system of  claim 7 , wherein the percentage of zinc in the substantially lead-free sheath is from about 7 to about 13 percent by weight.  
     
     
         10 . A linear explosive device comprising: 
 a sheath that is substantially lead-free, wherein said sheath is formed from a tin alloy comprising: 
 a percentage of zinc of from about 1 percent to 15 percent by weight, and a percentage of tin of from about 80 to about 99 percent by weight;  
 wherein said sheath at least partially encases a reactive material selected from the group consisting of explosive material, deflagrating material, pyrotechnic material, and mixtures thereof.  
   
     
     
         11 . The linear explosive device of  claim 10 , wherein said device is an ignition cord.  
     
     
         12 . The linear explosive device of  claim 10 , wherein said device is a linear shaped charge.  
     
     
         13 . The linear explosive device of  claim 10 , wherein said device is a mild detonating cord.  
     
     
         14 . A shaped charge explosive device comprising: 
 a concave tamper;    a reactive material disposed within the tamper, wherein the reactive material is selected from the group consisting of explosive material, deflagrating material, pyrotechnic material, and mixtures thereof; and    a substantially lead-free liner formed from a tin alloy comprising: 
 a percentage of zinc of from about 1 percent to about 6 percent by weight, and  
 a percentage of tin of from about 99 to about 94 percent by weight;  
   wherein said liner at least partially encases the reactive material within the tamper.    
     
     
         15 . The shaped charge explosive device of  claim 14 , wherein the percentage of zinc in the substantially lead-free liner is from about 1 to about 5 percent by weight.  
     
     
         16 . The shaped charge explosive device of  claim 14 , wherein the percentage of zinc in the substantially lead-free liner is from about 7 to about 13 percent by weight.