Patent GB-854073-A (GB)
Title: Combustible composition and method of making the same
Inventor: FERGUSON HARRY RAYMOND
IPC: C06B45/10
Filed: 1956-11-14
Abstract: A combustible composition containing at least part of the oxygen required for its combustion comprises a rubbery gel wherein the liquid component is a readily combustible oil and the solid component is a cured rubber, said gel having a finely-divided oxidising agent uniformly distributed therethrough.  Suitable oils are mineral oils of the paraffinic, aromatic, or naphthenic type, or animal or vegetable oils, e.g. tall oil.  The rubber may be butadiene-styrene copolymer, polychloroprene, butyl rubber, or polybutadiene. Oxidising agents specified are the ammonium, sodium, and potassium salts of nitric, chloric and perchloric acids, potassium permanganate, ammonium dichromate, metal peroxides, ammonium picrate, trinitrotoluene, tetryl, and trinitrobenzene.  The amount of oil may be 1-25 parts by weight per part of rubber and the amount of oxidising agent 10-95% by weight of the composition.  In preparing the composition, the oil may be added to oil-extended rubber, first in a mill and then in a mixer.  The rubber may contain a peptising agent, e.g. a solution of xylyl mercaptan in a hydrocarbon. Alternatively, thin sheets of rubber may be soaked in the oil, or the rubber and oil in the form of an emulsion may be coagulated.  The oxidising agent and a curing agent are next added and also other ingredients, e.g. stearic acid, zinc oxide, carbon black and sulphur. Curing may be effected at about 160 DEG F. using conventional agents, a list of which is given.  Examples describe the preparation of compositions containing butadiene-styrene copolymer and polybutadiene, as the rubbers and ammonium nitrate and perchlorate as the oxidizing agents.  In Example 1 air is eliminated from the composition by mixing under vacuum.  The composition may be poured into shaped containers before curing or may be extruded.  It is useful as a rocket fuel, a propellent in power units for aircraft or guided missiles, in starters for turbojet engines, in the operation of catapults, in driving piles and fenceposts, and as a signal flare or gas generator.ALSO:A combustible composition containing at least part of the oxygen required for its combustion comprises a rubbery gel wherein the liquid component is a readily combustible oil and the solid component is a cured rubber, said gel having a finely-divided oxidising agent uniformly distributed therethrough. Suitable oils are mineral oils of the paraffinic, aromatic, or naphthenic type, or animal or vegetable oils, e.g. tall oil.  The rubber may be natural or synthetic, e.g. butadiene-styrene copolymer, polychloroprene, butyl rubber, or polybutadiene. Oxidising agents specified are the ammonium, sodium, and potassium salts of nitric, chloric and perchloric acids, potassium permanganate, ammonium dichromate, metal peroxides, ammonium picrate, trinitrotoluene, tetryl, and trinitrobenzene.  The amount of oil may be 1-25 parts by weight per part of rubber and the amount of oxidising agent 10-95% by weight of the composition.  In preparing the composition, the oil may be added to oil-extended rubber, first in a mill and then in a mixer.  The rubber may contain a peptising agent, e.g. a solution of xylyl mercaptan in a hydrocarbon.  Alternatively, thin sheets of rubber may be soaked in the oil, or the rubber and oil in the form of an emulsion may be coagulated.  The oxidising agent and a curing agent are next added and also other ingredients, e.g. stearic acid, zinc oxide, carbon black, and sulphur.  Curing may be effected at about 160 DEG F. using conventional agents, a list of which is given. Examples describe the preparation of compositions containing butadiene-styrene copolymer, polybutadiene, and smoked sheet as the rubbers and ammonium nitrate and perchlorate as the oxidising agents. In Example 1 air is eliminated from the composition by mixing under vacuum.  The composition may be poured into shaped containers before curing or may be extruded.  It is useful as a rocket fuel, a propellant in power units for aircraft or guided missiles, in starters for turbo-jet engines, in the operation of catapults, in driving piles and fenceposts, and as a signal flare or gas generator.