Non-toxic, metallic-metal free zinc peroxide-containing, IR tracer compositions and IR tracer projectiles containing same for generating a dim visibility IR trace

Abstract

Novel non-toxic, metallic-metal free, zinc peroxide-containing, IR tracer compositions are provided herein, which, when incorporated into a medium caliber IR tracer projectile and fired, produce a dim visibility IR trace. Such IR tracer compositions comprise from about 26 to about 30% by weight, or from about 65 to about 80% by weight, of zinc peroxide; from about 40 to about 47% by weight of potassium nitrate; from about 10 to about 25% by weight of a non-metallic fuel which consists of sodium salicylate; from about 5 to about 26% by weight of a retardant which consists of either iron carbonate or magnesium carbonate or calcium carbonate; and from about 5 to about 10% by weight of at least one binder which is either calcium resinate, or a synthetic resin binder which consists of a copolymer of hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride, or from about 5 to about 7.5% by weight of cellulose acetate butyrate. The total percentage of the ingredients adds up to 100%. Medium caliber, i.e., 0.50 caliber, IR tracer projectiles containing such IR tracer compositions are also provided.

1 . A non-toxic, substantially-metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, infrared tracer composition comprising: 
 from about 26 to about 30% by weight, or from about 65 to about 80% by weight of zinc peroxide;    from about 40 to about 47% by weight of potassium nitrate;    from about 10 to about 25% by weight of a non-metallic fuel which consists of sodium salicylate;    from about 5 to about 26% by weight of a retardant which is selected from the group consisting of iron carbonate, magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate;    from about 5 to about 10% by weight of at least one binder which is selected from the group consisting of calcium resinate, and a synthetic resin binder which consists of a copolymer of hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride, or from about 5 to about 7.5% by weight of cellulose acetate butyrate;    wherein the total percentage of the ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       2 . The non-toxic, substantially-metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 from about 26 to about 30% by weight zinc peroxide;    from about 40 to about 45% by weight of potassium nitrate;    from about 20 to about 25% by weight of iron carbonate; and    from about 5 to about 7.5% by weight of cellulose acetate butyrate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       3 . The non-toxic, substantially-metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 2 , comprising: 
 about 30% by weight zinc peroxide;    about 42.5% by weight of potassium nitrate;    about 20% by weight of iron carbonate; and    about 7.5% by weight of cellulose acetate butyrate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       4 . The non-toxic, substantially-metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 from about 65 to about 70% by weight of zinc peroxide;    from about 20 to about 25% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    from about 8 to about 10% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       5 . The non-toxic, substantially-metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 4 , comprising: 
 about 65% by weight of zinc peroxide;    about 25% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    about 10% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       6 . The non-toxic, substantially-metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 from about 26 to about 28% by weight of zinc peroxide;    from about 40 to about 45% by weight of potassium nitrate; from about 22 to about 26% by weight of iron carbonate; and    from about 5 to about 7.5% by weight of cellulose acetate butyrate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       7 . The non-toxic, substantially-metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 6 , comprising: 
 about 26% by weight of zinc peroxide;    about 42.5% by weight of potassium nitrate;    about 24% by weight of iron carbonate; and    about 7.5% by weight of cellulose acetate butyrate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       8 . The non-toxic, substantially-metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 from about 26 to about 30% by weight of zinc peroxide;    from about 42 to about 47% by weight of potassium nitrate;    from about 15 to about 25% by weight of iron carbonate; and    from about 5 to about 7.5% by weight of cellulose acetate butyrate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       9 . The non-toxic, substantially-metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 8 , comprising: 
 about 28% by weight of zinc peroxide;    about 44.5% by weight of potassium nitrate;    about 20% by weight of iron carbonate; and    about 7.5% by weight of cellulose acetate butyrate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       10 . The non-toxic, substantially-metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 from about 26 to about 30% by weight of zinc peroxide;    from about 40 to about 45% by weight of potassium nitrate;    form about 15 to about 25% by weight of iron carbonate; and    from about 5 to about 7.5% by weight of cellulose acetate butyrate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       11 . The non-toxic, substantially-metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 10 , comprising: 
 about 28% by weight of zinc peroxide;    about 44.5% by weight of potassium nitrate;    about 20% by weight of iron carbonate; and    about 7.5% by weight of cellulose acetate butyrate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       12 . The non-toxic, substantially-metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 11 , comprising: 
 from about 26 to about 30% by weight of zinc peroxide;    from about 42 to about 47% by weight of potassium nitrate;    from about 15 to about 25% by weight of magnesium carbonate; and    from about 5 to about 7.5% by weight of cellulose acetate butyrate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       13 . The non-toxic, substantially-metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 12 , comprising: 
 about 28% by weight of zinc peroxide;    about 44.5% by weight of potassium nitrate;    about 20% by weight of magnesium carbonate; and    about 7.5% by weight of cellulose acetate butyrate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       14 . The non-toxic, substantially-metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 from about 70 to about 80% by weight of zinc peroxide;    from about 15 to about 20% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    from about 5 to about 10% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       15 . The non-toxic, substantially-metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 14 , comprising: 
 about 75% by weight of zinc peroxide;    about 17.5% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    about 7.5% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       16 . The non-toxic, substantially-metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 from about 70 to about 80% by weight of zinc peroxide;    from about 10 to about 20% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    from about 5 to about 12% by weight of calcium resinate;    wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       17 . The non-toxic, substantially-metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 16 , comprising: 
 about 75% by weight of zinc peroxide;    about 15% by weight of sodium salicylate; and    about 10% by weight of calcium resinate; wherein the total percentage of said ingredients add up to 100%.    
   
   
       18 . An IR tracer projectile comprising: 
 a hollow cylindrical shell made of a suitable metallic material, and having a conical nose;    a conventional heavy filler disposed in said hollow conical nose;    the non-toxic, substantially-metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing infrared tracer composition as claimed in  claim 1  compressed immediately against said filler;    a conventional ignition material compressed against said compressed tracer composition; and    a metal disc capping said hollow shell.