Method of preparing a stabilized nitrocellulose article

Abstract

A method for preparing a stabilized nitrocellulose article includes providing a nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers. The nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers is treated with a solution that comprises a solvent and a stabilizer to produce the article. The stabilizer is soluble in the solvent. The solvent dissolves the stabilizer and the nitrocellulose in the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers is substantially insoluble in the solvent at ambient pressure and temperature. An inflatable bag comprises a shell and the stabilized nitrocellulose article. The shell is formed from a foldable material and has an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines an interior cavity of the inflatable bag. The stabilized nitrocellulose article is disposed upon the inner surface of the shell in the interior cavity and is foldable in conformity with at least one fold of the shell.

1 . A method of preparing a stabilized nitrocellulose article, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers;   treating the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers with a solution comprising solvent and a stabilizer that is soluble in the solvent to produce the stabilized nitrocellulose article;   wherein the solvent dissolves the stabilizer at ambient pressure and temperature and wherein the nitrocellulose in the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers is substantially insoluble in the solvent at ambient pressure and temperature.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the stabilizer is dissolved in the solvent prior to treating the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers with the solution. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solution is free of additional solvents within which the nitrocellulose in the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers is soluble. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the nitrocellulose content of the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers, as measured in mol % nitrogen based upon the total content of the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers, is from 11.3 to 14 mol % nitrogen. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers has a damping agent content and wherein the damping agent content is at least 25 weight % based upon the total weight of the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein at least a portion of the damping agent is removed from the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers prior to treating the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers with the solution. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of providing the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers comprises treating a mat of cellulose-containing fibers free of nitrocellulose content with a mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid to convert cellulose to nitrocellulose. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the stabilized nitrocellulose article has a stabilizer content of at least 1.5 mol %. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solvent is further defined as a C 1  to C 6  alcohol solvent. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the C 1  to C 6  alcohol solvent comprises an alcohol selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the stabilizer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of diphenylamine, 2-nitrodiphenylamine, diphenyl urea, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of treating the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers with the solution is further defined as passing the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers over a perforated surface and introducing the solution into the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers through the perforations in the perforated surface. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solvent is substantially removed from the stabilized nitrocellulose article. 
     
     
         14 . A stabilized nitrocellulose article prepared in accordance with the method of  claim 13 . 
     
     
         15 . The stabilized nitrocellulose article of  claim 14  having a fiber thickness of from 0.012 to 130 mm. 
     
     
         16 . A method of preparing a stabilized nitrocellulose article, said method comprising the steps of:
 treating a mat of cellulose-containing fibers free of nitrocellulose content to a mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid to convert cellulose to nitrocellulose, thereby producing a nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers;   treating the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers with a solution comprising a solvent and a stabilizer that is soluble in the solvent to produce the stabilized nitrocellulose article;   wherein the solvent dissolves the stabilizer at ambient pressure and temperature and wherein the nitrocellulose in the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers is substantially insoluble in the solvent at ambient pressure and temperature.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein at least a portion of the stabilizer is dissolved in the solvent prior to treating the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers with the solution. 
     
     
         18 . The method as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the solution is free of additional solvents within which the nitrocellulose in the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers is soluble. 
     
     
         19 . The method as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the nitrocellulose content of the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers, as measured in mol % nitrogen based upon the total content of the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers, is from 11.3 to 14 mol % nitrogen. 
     
     
         20 . An inflatable bag comprising:
 a shell formed from a foldable material, said shell having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an interior cavity of said inflatable bag; and   a stabilized nitrocellulose article disposed upon said inner surface of said shell in the interior cavity and foldable in conformity with at least one fold of said shell, said stabilized nitrocellulose article having a thickness of from 0.012 to 130 mm and comprising a nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers and a stabilizer content, wherein said stabilized nitrocellulose article is substantially free of damping agents and solvent.