Autoignition/booster composition

Abstract

A gas generator 10 includes a composition that contains a metal chlorate such as potassium chlorate as an oxidizer, a carboxylic acid such as DL-tartaric acid as a primary fuel, a secondary oxidizer such as strontium nitrate, and if desired, a secondary fuel such as 5-aminotetrazole. Gas generating systems 180 such as vehicle occupant protection systems 180 , containing the gas generator 10 , are also provided.

1 . A composition comprising: 
 a metal chlorate as a first oxidizer;    a primary fuel selected from carboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and mixtures thereof; and    a second oxidizer not having perchlorate character.    
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said metal chlorate is provided at about 10-20 wt%, and said primary fuel is provided at about 15-45 wt%, and said second oxidizer is provided at about 30-50 wt%, said percentages stated by weight of the total composition.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said composition further comprises a secondary fuel selected from tetrazoles, triazoles, furazans, and salts thereof, said secondary fuel provided at about 0.1-30 wt%.  
     
     
         4 . A vehicle occupant protection system comprising the composition of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         5 . A gas generating system comprising the composition of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said primary fuel is selected from tartaric acid and its isomers, succinic acid, glutamic acid, adipic acid, mucic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, fumaric acid, galactaric acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, L-malic acid, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 3  comprising DL-tartaric acid at about 19-28 wt%, potassium chlorate at about 12-30 wt%, 5-aminotetrazole at about 15-25 wt%, and strontium nitrate at about 30-50 wt%, said percentages stated by weight of the total composition.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said secondary oxidizer is selected from metal, basic metal, and nonmetal nitrates, nitrites, oxides, and chlorates.