Infra-Red Decoy Flare

Abstract

The invention provides an infra-red decoy flare comprising a pyrotechnic composition which comprises an extrudable and energetic binder in an amount in the range of from 4-35 wt %, which binder comprises a nitrocellulose, an oxidator in an amount in the range of from 40-80 wt %, a pyrotechnic fuel in an amount in the range of from 15-35 wt %, and a carbon source in an amount of up to and including 10 wt %, all amounts based on total pyrotechnic composition. The invention further provides a process for preparing said infra-red decoy flare.

1 . An infra-red decoy flare comprising a pyrotechnic composition which comprises an extrudable and energetic binder in an amount in the range of from 4-35 wt %, which binder comprises a nitrocellulose, an oxidator in an amount in the range of from 40-80 wt %, a pyrotechnic fuel in an amount in the range of from 15-35 wt %, and a carbon source in an amount of up to and including 10 wt %, all amounts based on total pyrotechnic composition. 
   
   
       2 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the pyrotechnic fuel is selected from the group consisting of terephthalic acid phenolphthalein, phthalic anhydride, benzoyl peroxide, 4-amino benzoic acid, sodium salicylate, potassium hydrogen phthalate, benzophenone, dodecane, potassium benzoate, 4-nitro benzoic acid, 3-nitro benzoic acid, 5-amino tetrazole, ascorbic acid, sodium di-iso ascorbate, L-ascorbic acid, stearic acid, sodium benzoate, dinitro benzoic acid and potassium dinitro benzoate. 
   
   
       3 . An infra-red decoy flare according to  claim 2 , wherein the pyrotechnic fuel is selected from the group consisting of potassium dinitrobenzoate, terephthalic acid, sodium salicylate, sodium di-isoascorbate, 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid, 4-aminobenzoic acid, L-ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate. 
   
   
       4 . An infra-red decoy flare according to  claim 3 , wherein the pyrotechnic fuel comprises potassium dinitrobenzoate, terephthalic acid, sodium salicylate or sodium-D ascorbate. 
   
   
       5 . An infra-red decoy flare according to  claim 1 , wherein the extrudable and energetic binder comprises a nitrocellulose. 
   
   
       6 . An infra-red decoy flare according to  claim 5 , wherein the nitrocellulose is a low nitrogen content nitrocellulose. 
   
   
       7 . An infra-red decoy flare according to  claim 1 , wherein the oxidator is selected from the group consisting of KClO 4 , KCIO3 and NH4CIO4. 
   
   
       8 . An infra-red decoy flare according to  claim 7 , wherein the oxidator comprises KICO4. 
   
   
       9 . An infra-red decoy flare according to  claim 1 , wherein the carbon source comprises lampblack, soot, graphite, charcoal or coal. 
   
   
       10 . An infra-red decoy flare according to  claim 1 , wherein the extrudable and energetic binder is present in an amount in the range of from 10-15 wt %, based on total pyrotechnic composition. 
   
   
       11 . An infra-red decoy flare according to  claim 1 , wherein the oxidator is present in an amount in the range of from 40-72 wt %, based on total pyrotechnic composition. 
   
   
       12 . An infra-red decoy flare according to  claim 1 , wherein the pyrotechnic fuel is present in an amount in the range of from 16-31 wt %, based on total pyrotechnic composition. 
   
   
       13 . An infra-red decoy flare according to  claim 1 , wherein the carbon source is present in an amount in an amount in the range of from 1 to 5 wt %, based on total pyrotechnic composition. 
   
   
       14 . A process for preparing the infra-red decoy flare according to  claim 1 , wherein an extrudable and energetic binder in an amount in the range of from 4-35 wt %, which binder is a nitrocellulose, an oxidator in an amount in the range of from 40-80 wt %, a pyrotechnic fuel in an amount in the range of from 15-35 wt %, and a carbon source in an amount of up to 10 wt %, all amounts based on total pyrotechnic composition, are mixed together and the mixture so obtained is subsequently pressed in the desired form. 
   
   
       15 . A process according to  claim 14 , wherein the mixing is carried out by means of an extruder. 
   
   
       16 . A process according to  claim 14 , which is carried out in the presence of a solvent which is chosen from the group consisting of ethanol, or solvents esters such as ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, or alcohols such as isopropanol butanol. 
   
   
       17 . A process according to  claim 16 , wherein the solvent comprises ethanol. 
   
   
       18 . A process according to  claim 16 , wherein the solvent is present in an amount in the range of from 5 to 14 wt %, based on total mixture.