Autoignition compositions

Abstract

An autoignition composition 14 is provided to manage the safe combustion of a primary gas generant composition 12 . The autoignition composition 14 contains carboxylic acid and potassium chlorate. A method of managing the safe combustion of the primary gas generant composition 12 is also provided.

1 . A method of managing the combustion of a primary gas generant within a gas generator of a vehicle occupant protection system, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an inflator within a vehicle occupant protection system;    providing a primary gas generant composition suitable for use within the inflator; and    providing an autoignition composition in operable communication with the primary gas generant composition, whereby the autoignition temperature of the autoignition composition is less than the autoignition temperature of the primary gas generant composition and heterogeneous thereto, and, the autoignition composition contains carboxylic acid and potassium chlorate.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the carboxylic acid is selected from at least one acid selected from the group of DL-tartaric acid, succinic acid, glutamic acid, adipic acid, and mucic acid.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the carboxylic acid has a melting point/post-aging autoignition temperature ratio ranging from about 0.80 to about 1.10.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the carboxylic acid has a “pre-aging autoignition temperature/post-aging autoignition temperature” ratio ranging from about 0.90 to about 1.20.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the carboxylic acid has a pre-aging autoignition temperature about 50 C or more above the maximum heat aging temperature of 107 C.  
   
   
       6 . An autoignition composition for managing combustion of a primary gas generant composition in the event of a fire or heat event, said autoignition composition comprising: 
 carboxylic acid selected from at least one acid selected from DL-tartaric acid, succinic acid, glutamic acid, adipic acid, and mucic acid; and    potassium chlorate.    
   
   
       7 . The autoignition composition of  claim 6  wherein said carboxylic acid is DL-tartaric acid.  
   
   
       8 . The autoignition composition of  claim 6  wherein said carboxylic acid is provided at about 20-60 weight percent of the total composition, and, the potassium chlorate is provided at about 40-80 weight percent of the total composition.  
   
   
       9 . The autoignition composition of  claim 6  wherein the carboxylic acid has a melting point/post-aging autoignition temperature ratio ranging from about 0.80 to about 1.10.  
   
   
       10 . The autoignition composition of  claim 6  wherein the carboxylic acid has a “pre-aging autoignition temperature/post-aging autoignition temperature” ratio ranging from about 0.90 to about 1.20.  
   
   
       11 . The autoignition composition of  claim 6  wherein the carboxylic acid has a pre-aging autoignition temperature about 50 C or more above the maximum heat aging temperature of 107 C.  
   
   
       12 . A vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the autoignition composition of  claim 6.