The polymeric binder composition of the present invention exhibits several novel and unique characteristics. Thus, for example, the solid physical nature of the binder ingredients permit the solid gas generating ingredients to be pressed together into a homogeneous solid mass before curing. Further, the mixed solid ingredients have an almost infinite pot life below the melting point of the binder components. In addition,alluvial mining wash plant the binder composition cures rapidly when the temperature is raised above the melting points of the binder ingredients. Moreover, the use of the novel binder composition permits utilization of Wiley mill (i.e., a blade mill) for grinding purposes without producing excessive amounts of extreme fines which has been a problem with previously proposed pelleted gas generating compositions. Finally, the polymeric binder of the present invention is based on a polymer containing a substantial amount of oxygen. The binder will preferably contain a substantial quantity of oxygen because during ignition the binder is oxidized by the gas generator oxidizers. Thus, a binder containing a substantial amount of oxygen will contain less carbon and hydrogen percentages and thereby the amount of flammable and toxic gases produced will be less. Moreover, since the polymeric binder contains a substantial amount of oxygen, its combustion should produce only a relatively minor amount of additional heat. As defined in the context of this specification, the terms "high oxygen content" or "substantial amount of oxygen" refer to a binder composition in which the polymer component of the binder contains at least 26 percent oxygen.
Solid polymeric binders which are useful in the composition of the present invention include polyurethane and polyether polymers. The polyurethane polymers may be made in known manner by reaction of diisocyanates with polyethers and subsequent curing of the isocyanate-terminated polymers with polyols,coal crushing. However, the solid physical nature and processability of the granular gas generating composition which is the subject of this invention makes the selection of the binder ingredients critical. Thus, all binder ingredients must be solids with melting points in the range of 45° C to 130° C.
In accordance with the above requirement, the isocyanates selected for use in the binder composition will be solids with melting points in the range of 45° C to 130° C such as, for example, bitolylene diisocyanate, dianisidine diisocyanate, methylene bis p,p' diphenyl diisocyanate, and 1,5 napthalene diisocyanate. The preferred solid isocyanates useful in the practice of this invention are bitolylene diisocyanate commerically available as Isonate 136 T and dianisidine diisocyanate commerically available as Isonate 148 D. Since the main criticality of the diisocyanate selected for use in the binder is that it be a solid with a melting point in the above specified range and that it be capable of reacting with a polyether to form an isocyanate terminated polymer, it is expected that virtually any diisocyanate meeting these requirements can be used. Thus, it is expected that commerically available solid isocyanates such as polyethylene glycol capped with lysine methyl ester diisocyanate (LDIM), trishydroxyethyl isocyanurate capped with LDIM, or trimethylol propane capped with LDIM can be used.
Solid polymeric binders which are useful in the composition of the present invention include polyurethane and polyether polymers. The polyurethane polymers may be made in known manner by reaction of diisocyanates with polyethers and subsequent curing of the isocyanate-terminated polymers with polyols,coal crushing. However, the solid physical nature and processability of the granular gas generating composition which is the subject of this invention makes the selection of the binder ingredients critical. Thus, all binder ingredients must be solids with melting points in the range of 45° C to 130° C.
In accordance with the above requirement, the isocyanates selected for use in the binder composition will be solids with melting points in the range of 45° C to 130° C such as, for example, bitolylene diisocyanate, dianisidine diisocyanate, methylene bis p,p' diphenyl diisocyanate, and 1,5 napthalene diisocyanate. The preferred solid isocyanates useful in the practice of this invention are bitolylene diisocyanate commerically available as Isonate 136 T and dianisidine diisocyanate commerically available as Isonate 148 D. Since the main criticality of the diisocyanate selected for use in the binder is that it be a solid with a melting point in the above specified range and that it be capable of reacting with a polyether to form an isocyanate terminated polymer, it is expected that virtually any diisocyanate meeting these requirements can be used. Thus, it is expected that commerically available solid isocyanates such as polyethylene glycol capped with lysine methyl ester diisocyanate (LDIM), trishydroxyethyl isocyanurate capped with LDIM, or trimethylol propane capped with LDIM can be used.
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