Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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POTICA2 0 0 6 / 00.0 4 5 5
JUNE ZQQ7 ,
NON-TOXIC, HEAVY-METAL FREE ZINC PEROXIDE-CONTAINING, IR
TRACER COMPOSITIONS AND IR TRACER PROJECTILES
CONTAINING SAME FOR GENERATING A DIM VISIBILITY IR TRACE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] This invention relates to non-toxic, zinc peroxide-containing, IR tracer
compositions and to IR tracer projectiles containing such compositions which,
when
fired, generate a dim visibility IR trace.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Tracer projectiles provide a reliable means of determining whether
projectiles
impact on the desired target or whether adjustments in aim are necessary. One
problem with the use of conventional tracer projectiles is that they emit
visible light,
which thereby makes the source of the tracer ammunition discernable to the
enemy.
Another problem with conventional tracer projectiles is that they contain
metallic
fuels, which tend to be toxic and pollute the environment. The art is replete
with
patents which are directed to tracer compositions, incendiary compositions and
pyrotechnic compositions. Many such prior art patents describe compositions
which
contain toxic metals and other compounds which pollute the environment, are
difficult
to incorporate into an IR projectile, and/or that emit excessive visible light
and heat.
Examples of such patents include US Patent Nos. 5,661,257; 5,587,552;
5,472,536;
4,979, 999; 4,597,810; 4,094,711; 2,899,291; 4,719,856; 3,983,816; 4,881,464;
3,986,907; and 3,503,814. Still other patents suffer from drawbacks, as
follows:
[003] US Patent No. 5,811,724, patented Sep 22, 1998, INFRARED TRACER FOR
AMMUNITION and assigned to Primex Technologies Inc. Those patented
compositions included both strontium and barium. However, such IR tracer
compositions suffer from the defect that barium is a toxic element. In
addition, the
disclosed tracer compositions comprise a peroxide component from between 35-
90%
weight, but any amount below or above the stated range is specifically
excluded. The
disclosed oxidizers, including barium nitrate, are said to be more energetic
than the
peroxide component. The compositions of this patent include a silicon
component.
[004] US Patent No. 4,363,679, patented Dec. 14, 1982, USE OF ZINC PEROXIDE
AS OXIDANT FOR EXPLOSIVES AND PYROTECHNICAL MIXTURES, and
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assigned to Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft. Such patented compositions
comprising zinc peroxide alone or in combination with potassium nitrate,
thereby
overcoming the barium and strontium oxidizers of the prior art. However this
patent
also discloses pyrotechnic mixtures containing reductants, e.g., metals or
metallic
alloys, or organic reductants, e.g. polyoxymethylene, lactose, or polyethylene
as well
as binders, e.g., thermoplastic polymers, examples of which include polyvinyl
acetals,
methyl methacrylates, polybutadienes, and the derivatives thereof,
polyurethanes, or
acrylonitriles, cellulose nitrates, polyvinyl nitrates, or
polynitropolyphenylene.The
patent also teaches an explosive composition comprising lead
trinitroresorcinate or
diazodinitrophenol, tetrazene, zinc peroxide, and titanium powder. Many of the
disclosed elements are toxic. None of the disclosed compositions are infrared
tracer
compositions.
[005] US Patent No. 6,969,433, patented Nov. 29, 2005, GRANULATED GAS
CHARGES, and assigned to Delphi Technologies, Inc. Such patented pyrotechnic
compositions employ cellulose acetate butyrate as a binder. The disclosed
compositions contain between 5 and 50% by weight binders; between 0 and 90% by
weight oxidizing agents; and/or between 0 and 75% of an organic, notably
nitrogen-
free, fuel. The patent further teaches the use of graphite, water glass,
nitrates and
perchlorates of the alkali and alkaline earth elements are suitable as coating
additives.
The oxidizers include zinc peroxide and other oxides of transition metals such
as iron,
copper and manganese. Many of the disclosed compositions emit toxic effluents
and
none are infrared tracer compositions.
[006] There remain many problems with the prior art compositions, including
those
that pollute the environment and those which produce excessive light or heat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
AIMS OF THE INVENTION
[007] Various aspects of the present invention are now summarized.
[008] Accordingly it is an object of a first aspect of the present invention
to provide
improved IR tracer compositions and projectiles in which visible emissions are
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suppressed, whereby camouflage is optimized and an enemy cannot visually
locate
the source of the tracer projectile or the line of fire in order to direct a
counter-attack
toward that location.
[009] An object of a second aspect of the present invention is to provide
improved
IR tracer compositions and projectiles which generate an IR trace which is
substantially-completely IR radiation.
[0010] It is an object of a third aspect of the present invention to provide
improved IR
tracer compositions and projectiles which generate an IR trace which is
substantially-
completely IR radiation, and which has an appropriate burning rate so that it
can be
observed by the users at a longer distance down range.
[0011] It is an object of a fourth aspect of the present invention to provide
improved
IR tracer compositions and projectiles which generate an IR trace which is
substantially-completely IR radiation, and which has a lower energetic output
to
minimize the risk of fire propagation in bushes and wooded areas where the
projectile
lands.
[0012] It is an object of a fifth aspect of the present invention to provide
improved IR
tracer compositions and projectiles which generate an IR trace which is
substantially-
completely IR radiation, and which has a controlled IR emission at any
particular
point to avoid very high intensity visible light emissions which could
temporarily
blind an observer using an infrared detection system.
[0013] It is an object of a sixth aspect of the present invention to provide
improved IR
tracer compositions which have a uniform granularity to facilitate the
controlled
production of the IR tracer projectiles which generate an IR trace which is
substantially-completely IR radiation.
[0014] It is an object of a seventh aspect of the present invention to provide
improved
IR tracer compositions which do not significantly degrade with time under
extreme
environmental conditions when stored at about 5 to 20 C, and thus which
provides IR
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tracer projectiles which generate an IR trace which is substantially-
completely IR
radiation.
[0015] It is an object of an eighth aspect of the present invention to provide
improved
IR tracer compositions which do not contain heavy metals, e.g., barium nor any
other
toxic elements, and which are combined with a non-toxic igniter composition.
Such
compositions are environmentally-friendly.
[0016] It is an object of a ninth aspect of the present invention to provide
improved
IR tracer compositions which are formulated using a selected solvent for
mixing the
ingredients, in order to facilitate the manufacturing process by providing the
IR tracer
composition with uniform granularity and improved flowability so that the IR
tracer
charge weight compressed into IR tracer projectiles which generate an IR trace
which
is substantially-completely IR radiation, could be better controlled.
STATEMENTS OF INVENTION
[0017] A broad aspect of the present invention provides a non-toxic
substantially-
heavy-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, IR tracer composition comprising:
zinc
peroxide, potassium nitrate or a non-metallic fuel which consists of sodium
salicylate,
a flame retardant which consists of either iron carbonate or magnesium
carbonate or
calcium carbonate, and at least one binder which is either calcium resinate,
or a
synthetic resin binder which consists of a copolymer of hexafluoropropylene
and
vinylidene fluoride, or cellulose acetate butyrate, in one or more of the
following
proportions by weight, wherein the total percentage of all ingredients add up
to 100%.
[0017a] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-
toxic,
substantially-heavy-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing infrared tracer
composition
having a maximum IR output at a wavelength range of between I to 3 m
comprising:
from about 65 to about 75% by weight of zinc peroxide; from about 15 to about
25%
by weight of a fuel which consists of sodium salicylate; and an effective
amount of a
binder which is selected from the group consisting of calcium resinate and
cellulose
acetate butyrate; with the proviso that the infrared tracer composition
excludes a burn
rate catalyst; and wherein the total percentage of all said ingredients add up
to 100%.
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10018] Other embodiments and aspects of the invention comprise the following
substantially-heavy-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, IR tracer
compositions:
(0019] From about 26 to about 30% by weight zinc peroxide; from about 40 to
about
45% by weight of potassium nitrate; from about 20 to about 25% by weight of
iron
carbonate; and about 7.5% by weight of cellulose acetate butyrate; wherein the
total
percentage of the ingredients add up to 100%;
4a
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[0020] About 30% by weight zinc peroxide; about 42.5% by weight of potassium
nitrate; about 20% by weight of iron carbonate; and about 7.5% by weight of
cellulose
acetate butyrate, wherein the total percentage of the ingredients add up to
100%;
[0021] From about 65 to about 70% by weight of zinc peroxide; from about 20 to
about 25% by weight of sodium salicylate; and from about 8 to about 10% by
weight
of calcium resinate, wherein the total percentage of the ingredients add up to
100%;
[0022] About 65% by weight of zinc peroxide; about 25% by weight of sodium
salicylate; and about 10% by weight of calcium resinate; wherein the total
percentage
of the ingredients add up to 100%;
[0023] From about 26 to about 28 % by weight of zinc peroxide; from about 40
to
about 45% by weight of potassium nitrate; from about 22 to about 24% by weight
of
iron carbonate; and about 7.5% by weight of cellulose acetate butyrate;
wherein the
total percentage of the ingredients add up to 100%;
[0024] About 26% by weight of zinc peroxide; about 42.5% by weight of
potassium
nitrate; about 24% by weight of iron carbonate; and about 7.5% by weight of
cellulose
acetate butyrate, wherein the total percentage of the ingredients add up to
100%;
[0025] From about 26 to about 30% by weight of zinc peroxide; from about 42 to
about 45% by weight of potassium nitrate; from about 20 to about 24% by weight
of
iron carbonate; and about 7.5% by weight of cellulose acetate butyrate;
wherein the
total percentage of the ingredients add up to 100%;
[0026] About 28% by weight of zinc peroxide; about 44.5% by weight of
potassium
nitrate; about 20% by weight of iron carbonate; and about 7.5% by weight of
cellulose
acetate butyrate; wherein the total percentage of the ingredients add up to
100%;
[0027] From about 26 to about 30% by weight of zinc peroxide; from about 40 to
about 45% by weight of potassium nitrate; from about 20 to about 24% by weight
of
iron carbonate; and about 7.5% by weight of cellulose acetate butyrate;
wherein the
total percentage of the ingredients add up to 100%;
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[0028] About 28% by weight of zinc peroxide; about 44.5% by weight of
potassium
nitrate; about 20% by weight of magnesium carbonate; and about 7.5% by weight
of
cellulose acetate butyrate; wherein the total percentage of the ingredients
add up to
100%;
[0029] From about 65 to about 75% by weight of zinc peroxide; from about 15 to
about 20% by weight of sodium salicylate; and from about 7.5 to about 10% by
weight of calcium resinate; wherein the total percentage of the ingredients
add up to
100%;
[0030] About 75% by weight of zinc peroxide; about 17.5% by weight of sodium
salicylate; and about 7.5% by weight of calcium resinate; wherein the total
percentage
of the ingredients add up to 100%;
[0031] About 75% by weight of zinc peroxide; about 15% by weight of sodium
salicylate; and about 10% by weight of calcium resinate; wherein the total
percentage
of the ingredients add up to 100%.
[0032] The present invention, in another aspect, provides an IR tracer
projectile
comprising a hollow cylindrical shell made of a suitable metallic material,
and having
a conical nose; a conventional heavy filler disposed in the hollow conical
nose; the
non-toxic, metallic-metal-free, zinc peroxide-containing, infrared tracer
composition
as disclosed hereinabove in its generic, sub-generic and specific aspects,
compressed
immediately against the filler; a conventional ignition material compressed
against
said compressed tracer composition; and a metal disc capping the hollow shell.
GENERALIZED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] The present invention provides infrared-producing (hereinafter "IR"-
producing) compositions which are capable of producing a consistent IR output
when
provided in IR tracer projectiles which are medium caliber, e.g., 0.50
caliber, long
range accuracy ammunition (Match grade) The IR output includes near IR and far
IR
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11 JUNE 1007 11 0 6 m 2007
bands (0.76 to 3.Q m). The intensity of the IR radiation depends on the
specific
wavelength of these bands.
[0034] Conventional pyrotechnic mixtures typically contain a finely-divided
mixture
of an oxidizer and a fuel (metallic, non-metallic or organic fuel). The
oxidizer, which
contains oxygen, is added to sustain combustion and the metallic atoms are
responsible for the characteristic color output. The fuel is added in order to
sustain
combustion of the mixture and to provide heat energy.
[0035] Finely divided powdered fuel is very reactive with an oxidizing agent.
Above
a certain temperature, namely, the ignition temperature, the oxidizer
decomposes to
release oxygen, which then reacts quickly with the fuel in an exothermic
reaction. An
oxidizer and a fuel alone, however, do not make practical compositions for the
purpose of providing suitable emissions. Each of a flame retardant and a
binding
agent is also incorporated into the mixture.
[0036] The IR tracer compositions of aspects of the present invention possess
unique
requirements not generally addressed by the prior art conventional tracer
systems.
While it is not desired to be limited to any particular theory, it is believed
that a
hypothesis concerning the formation of purely infrared emission without the
presence
of visible light may be developed based on black body radiation theory. The
requirement would then be for the IR tracer to maximize output at a wavelength
of I
to 3 m range.
[0037] The desired IR range is significantly below the flame temperature of
present
conventional tracer and flame formulations. This knowledge, coupled with the
understanding that visible light output is normally the smallest proportion of
energy
radiation during combustion, leads to the conclusion that an effective IR
tracer
according to aspects of the present invention is based on a relatively cool
burning
tracer formulation.
[0038] Various chemical compositions were investigated to maximize the IR
intensity
while also maximizing the duration of the IR trace and minimizing the
generation of
excessive amounts of heat for each type of medium caliber projectiles. The
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compositions to be described hereinafter burn cleanly and relatively coolly
and emit
relatively-small (i.e., almost negligible) quantities of visible light in
proportion to the
infrared radiation emitted.
[0039] The basic components of the IR tracer compositions of aspects of the
present
invention are able to augment near-IR emissions when fired. This is
accomplished by
the addition of an IR producing oxidizer and fuel. Thus, the IR tracer
compositions of
aspects of the present invention include zinc peroxide as the oxidizer, an
organic fuel,
a flame retardant, and a binder.
[0040] As noted above, the oxidizer is zinc peroxide. Peroxides of other
transition
metals, e.g., titanium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper,
zirconium,
etc, are not useful in the JR tracer composition of aspects of the invention.
The
peroxides of such transition metals either provide inert compositions or
provide
compositions which emit toxic effluents.
[0041] The preferred organic fuel is sodium salicylate (C7H5NaO3). This
organic fuel
has a low melting point and generates a large amount of gases during the
combustion,
which facilitates the removal of solid residues and soot inside the tracer
cavity of the
projectile. Without obstruction, the trace can be seen at a longer distances
down
range. Neither lithium salicylate nor potassium salicylate would be suitable
since they
provide compositions which are too hygroscopic. Furthermore, these compounds
are
not conveniently commercially available and so the compositions cannot be
easily
industrialized.
[0042] Another component of the IR tracer compositions of aspects of the
present
invention is potassium nitrate. The nitrates of other alkali metals are not
useful in IR
tracer compositions of aspects of the present invention, since lithium nitrate
produces
a composition which is too hygroscopic, while sodium nitrate emits a yellow
color.
[0043] The preferred flame retardants in the IR tracer compositions of aspects
of the
present invention are iron carbonate and magnesium carbonate although calcium
carbonate would also be useful. The presence of iron carbonate or magnesium
carbonate or calcium carbonate brings about a better control of the rate of
burning and
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reduces substantially the flash and output of visible light. The carbonates of
other
transition metals are not suitable. For example, the carbonates of chromium
and cobalt
contaminate the atmosphere, the carbonate of nickel has carcinogenic
properties and
the carbonate of zirconium has excessive luminosity properties.
[0044] A binder maintains the other particulate forms of constituents of the
IR tracer
compositions of aspects of the present invention together. The binder
increases the
structural integrity of the IR tracer composition to prevent any break up of
the trace in
flight. It protects the composition from moisture and increases the
flowability of the
composition. Suitable binders include cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB),
calcium
resinate, a vinyl acetate resin or the fluoroelastomer known by the trade mark
VITON
A. Such binders have the properties of acting as a fuel retardant, as a
waterproofing
agent, and/or as an agent to reduce soot formation.
[0045] The IR tracer compositions of aspects of the present invention differ
significantly over conventional tracer compositions, especially conventional
IR tracer
compositions, of the prior art in the absence of any metallic metal, e.g.,
boron.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0046] Embodiments of the present invention will be described, by way of
example
only, with reference also to the attached Figure which is a one-half
longitudinal cross-
section of a tracer projectile according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
EXAMPLES
PREPARATION OF IR TRACER COMPOSITIONS
[0047] The IR tracer compositions were prepared by first dry mixing the
powdered
ingredients to provide a dry intermediate composition. The binder was
dissolved in a
suitable aprotic solvent, namely, methyl ethyl ketone. The so-formed binder
solution
was then incorporated into the dry intermediate composition to provide a wet
mixture.
The wet mixture so provided was transferred to a suitable mixer in order to
obtain a
substantially-completely homogeneous mixture of all ingredients. The
homogenous
mixture so-formed was dried in an oven at about 20-40 C until it was
sufficiently dry
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for sieving. The dry mixture was then sieved to break up agglomerated
particles. The
IR tracer composition was thus provided as relatively small particles of
random shape.
[0048] A series of IR tracer compositions according to aspects of the present
invention was prepared according to the proportion of ingredients as set forth
in the
following Tables IA and 113.
TABLE 1A
INGREDIENT PERCENTAGE IN TEST NO
TEST NO DT-48 DT-49 DT-50 DT-51 DT-52
ZINC PEROXIDE 30 28 26 28 28
POTASSIUM NITRATE 42.5 42.5 42.5 44.5 44.5
IRON CARBONATE 20 22 24 20 0
CAB 7.5 7.5 7.7 7.5 7.5
MAGNESIUM CARBONATE 0 0 0 0 20
TABLE lB
INGREDIENT PERCENTAGE IN TEST NO
TEST NO DT-54 DT-55 DT-56
ZINC PEROXIDE 65 75 75
SODIUM SALICYLATE 25 17.5 10
CALCIUM RESINATE 10 7.5 10
PREPARATION OF TEST PROJECTILES
[0049] Each of the above IR tracer compositions of aspects of the present
invention
was compressed into a projectile body of a desired medium caliber. For the
tests
which are to be described below, the caliber of the projectile body was 0.50
caliber.
Thus, as seen in the drawing, the tracer projectile 10 includes a hollow shell
12 of,
preferably, a copper alloy (90% Cu/10% Zn), whose hollow nose 14 is filled
with a
suitable heavy filler 16. The IR tracer composition 18 is compressed
immediately
against the filler 16. A conventional ignition material 20 is compressed
against the IR
tracer composition 18. The IR tracer projectile 10 is capped by means of a
brass
closure disc 22.
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TEST PROCEDURES
[0050] For these series of tests, each of the IR tracer compositions was
inserted into
0.50 caliber tracer projectiles and fired. When such IR tracer projectile was
fired, the
IR tracer composition inside the projectile body was ignited by hot gases
emitted by a
propellant.
[0051] Several important criteria for the IR trace, namely its stablility, its
intensity,
whether any visible light was detected and if a spark occurred at the firing
point were
evaluated as follows:
[0052] Three observers were stationed, one each, at the point of firing, at
250m down
range and at 400m down range. These observers noted each of the above
criteria.
[0053] The visibility with night vision goggles was determined by the same
observers
at the same three positions.
[0054] The distinctness of the trace was noted at a barrier located 1000m down
range.
NATO criteria is distinctness at 600m down range.
[0055] The visibility with the naked eye of the tracer projectile was
determined by the
same observers at the firing position along the trajectory path and
perpendicular to the
trajectory path at 200m down range and at 400m down range from the firing
position.
[0056] The calorific output of the tracer projectile was measured with a
calorimeter.
[0057] The results are summarized as follows:
[0058] The IR trace was found to be visible from the firing position and could
not be
seen with the naked eye by the observers placed at an angle with respect to
the
trajectory of the IR tracer projectile.
[0059] The calorific output of the IR tracer composition measured with a
calorimeter
was about 500 cal/g, which is about one third less than the calorific output
generated
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by conventional IR tracer compositions, (500 cal/g compared to 1200 cal/g for
conventional IR tracer compositions). The IR trace can, thus, be designated as
a cold
trace.
[0060] The IR intensity of the IR emission as measured with a
spectrophotometer
equipped with IR filters at a wavelength of 760 nanometers was found to be
about 1 to
4 watts/steradian, and at a wavelength of 3,000 nanometers was found to be
about 1.7
to 2.1 watts/steradian. The IR tracer compositions of aspects of the present
invention
was found to have an IR luminosity as measured with a spectrophotometer at a
wavelength of 760 nanometers of about 1 to 2 watts/steradian and an IR
luminosity
as measured with a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 3000 nanometers of
about 1
to 4 watts/steradian.
[0061] For medium caliber, i.e., 0.50 caliber, IR tracer projectiles, the IR
trace can be
seen up to 1000m compared to 600m for conventional 0.50 caliber tracer
projectiles.
[0062] The medium caliber, i.e., 0.50 caliber, IR tracer projectiles of an
aspect of the
present invention containing the IR tracer compositions of aspects of the
present
invention have been found to increase the length of trace along the firing
line by up to
about 120%.
[0063] It has been found that the IR tracer compositions of aspects of the
present
invention produce relatively low burn rate materials so that the IR trace can
be seen
from the firing point to a longer distance down range. The burn rate is
adjustable for
medium caliber, i.e., 0.50 caliber, ammunition to meet or exceed NATO and
specific
user requirements. Thus, particular bum rates can be adjusted, the ratio of IR
radiation
to visible light can be optimized (i.e., substantially no visible light), and
the general
physical and chemical properties can be carefully selected.
[0064] The medium caliber i.e., 0.50 caliber, IR tracer projectiles of aspects
of the
present invention containing the IR tracer compositions of aspects of the
present
invention have a relatively slow burning rate so that the IR tracer can be
seen up to
1800m compared to 1500m for conventional 0.50 caliber tracer projectiles.
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[0065] The IR tracer compositions of aspects of the present invention do not
degrade
with time, when properly stored at a temperature varying between 5 C and 20 C,
with
a relative humidity which ranged between 50% and 70%. For example, the
calorific
heat of an IR tracer projectile containing IR tracer compositions of aspects
of the
present invention at the beginning of the storage period was about 675 cal/g
and
remained constant over a minimum storage period of 6 months.
[0066] The IR tracer compositions of aspects of the present invention do not
contain
any toxic elements.
[0067] The IR tracer compositions of aspects of the present invention may
easily be
industrialized.
[0068] Not all zinc peroxide-containing compositions satisfy the utility
requirements
as set forth in the above tests. Thus, compositions having the
ingredients/proportions
set forth in the following Tables 2A, 2B and 2C have been found not to be
useful.
TABLE 2A
INGREDIENT PERCENTAGE IN TEST NO
TEST NO DT-02 DT-05 DT-13 DT-19 DT-20 DT-31
ZINC PEROXIDE 40 50 50 34 49 48
POTASSIUM 0 0 0 9 5 0
CHLORATE
MAGNESIUM 10 10 10 0 0 0
CARBONATE
POLYISOBUTYLENE 0 5 5 0 0 0
CALCIUM 10 0 0 0 0 0
RESINATE
STRONTIUM OXIDE 40 0 0 0 0 0
POTASSIUM 0 25 25 0 24.5 24.5
NITRATE
METALLIC IRON 0 10 0 0 0 0
SILICON 0 0 10 0 0 0
BARIUM 0 0 0 52 41 0
CHROMATE
SILICON DIOXIDE 0 0 0 5 0 0
IRON CARBONATE 0 0 0 0 20 20
CAB 0 0 0 0 0 7.5
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TABLE 2B
INGREDIENT PERCENTAGE IN TEST NO.
TEST NO DT-32 DT-33 DT-34 DT-35 DT-36
ZINC PEROXIDE 48 48 50 40 40
POTASSIUM NITRATE 24.5 24.5 26.5 40 40
IRON CARBONATE 20 20 20 10 10
CAB 0 0 0 0 10
CALCIUM RESINATE 10 7.5 10
METALLIC IRON 0 0 0 0 0
VITON A 7.5 0 0 0 0
TEFLON, the registered trade 0 0 1.5 0 0
mark of a brand of
polytetrafluoroethylene
NC 0 0 2 0 0
TABLE 2C
INGREDIENT PERCENTAGE IN TEST NO
TEST NO DT-40 DT-41 DT-42 DT-43 DT-44 DT-45
ZINC 41 32.5 37.75 34.75 46.25 50.75
PEROXIDE
POTASSIUM 41 50.75 36.25 34.75 27.75 32.5
NITRATE
IRON 10.5 9.25 18.5 23 18.5 9.25
CARBONATE
CAB 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5
SUMMARY
[00691 In summary, the present invention provides IR tracer compositions for
the
production of IR projectiles for medium caliber, i.e., 0.50 caliber,
ammunition. The IR
tracer compositions of aspects of the present invention are non-toxic. When
incorporated into medium caliber, i.e., 0.50 caliber, IR tracer projectiles
and fired,
they have a lower calorific output than conventional compositions and they
produce a
cool IR trace which is not visible to the naked eye, i.e., it is a dim trace.
The rate of
burning is selectively controllable so that the IR trace can be seen at longer
distance
from the firing position than conventional IR trace projectiles containing
conventional
IR trace compositions.
14
AMENDED SHEET
