US2409201A - Smoke-producing mixture - Google Patents
Smoke-producing mixture Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US2409201A US2409201A US511680A US51168043A US2409201A US 2409201 A US2409201 A US 2409201A US 511680 A US511680 A US 511680A US 51168043 A US51168043 A US 51168043A US 2409201 A US2409201 A US 2409201A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- smoke
- mixture
- metal
- chloride
- oxide
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 title description 32
- 239000000779 smoke Substances 0.000 title description 26
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 18
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 18
- XLOMVQKBTHCTTD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc monoxide Chemical compound [Zn]=O XLOMVQKBTHCTTD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 14
- 229910001510 metal chloride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 9
- VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-M Chloride anion Chemical compound [Cl-] VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 8
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000011787 zinc oxide Substances 0.000 description 7
- HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc Chemical compound [Zn] HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 229910021578 Iron(III) chloride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 5
- RBTARNINKXHZNM-UHFFFAOYSA-K iron trichloride Chemical compound Cl[Fe](Cl)Cl RBTARNINKXHZNM-UHFFFAOYSA-K 0.000 description 5
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 4
- JIAARYAFYJHUJI-UHFFFAOYSA-L zinc dichloride Chemical compound [Cl-].[Cl-].[Zn+2] JIAARYAFYJHUJI-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 4
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- FBAFATDZDUQKNH-UHFFFAOYSA-M iron chloride Chemical group [Cl-].[Fe] FBAFATDZDUQKNH-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 3
- 229910044991 metal oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 150000004706 metal oxides Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 229910052725 zinc Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000011701 zinc Substances 0.000 description 3
- -1 zinc oxide Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- NLXLAEXVIDQMFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia chloride Chemical compound [NH4+].[Cl-] NLXLAEXVIDQMFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L Calcium carbonate Chemical compound [Ca+2].[O-]C([O-])=O VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 2
- IWOUKMZUPDVPGQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N barium nitrate Chemical compound [Ba+2].[O-][N+]([O-])=O.[O-][N+]([O-])=O IWOUKMZUPDVPGQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910001504 inorganic chloride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000011592 zinc chloride Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000005074 zinc chloride Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- BZSXEZOLBIJVQK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-methylsulfonylbenzoic acid Chemical compound CS(=O)(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1C(O)=O BZSXEZOLBIJVQK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920001353 Dextrin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004375 Dextrin Substances 0.000 description 1
- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- UIIMBOGNXHQVGW-DEQYMQKBSA-M Sodium bicarbonate-14C Chemical compound [Na+].O[14C]([O-])=O UIIMBOGNXHQVGW-DEQYMQKBSA-M 0.000 description 1
- NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfur Chemical compound [S] NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910021627 Tin(IV) chloride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 235000019270 ammonium chloride Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000019 calcium carbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000001805 chlorine compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 235000019425 dextrin Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- VHHHONWQHHHLTI-UHFFFAOYSA-N hexachloroethane Chemical compound ClC(Cl)(Cl)C(Cl)(Cl)Cl VHHHONWQHHHLTI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- ZLNQQNXFFQJAID-UHFFFAOYSA-L magnesium carbonate Chemical compound [Mg+2].[O-]C([O-])=O ZLNQQNXFFQJAID-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 239000001095 magnesium carbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000021 magnesium carbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- VKJKEPKFPUWCAS-UHFFFAOYSA-M potassium chlorate Chemical compound [K+].[O-]Cl(=O)=O VKJKEPKFPUWCAS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 239000000376 reactant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000002893 slag Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004504 smoke candle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011593 sulfur Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052717 sulfur Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- HPGGPRDJHPYFRM-UHFFFAOYSA-J tin(iv) chloride Chemical compound Cl[Sn](Cl)(Cl)Cl HPGGPRDJHPYFRM-UHFFFAOYSA-J 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
- C06D—MEANS FOR GENERATING SMOKE OR MIST; GAS-ATTACK COMPOSITIONS; GENERATION OF GAS FOR BLASTING OR PROPULSION (CHEMICAL PART)
- C06D3/00—Generation of smoke or mist (chemical part)
Definitions
- This invention relates to a smoke-producing mixture which is useful in munitions for producing a smoke of high obscuring power.
- Obscuring smoke has proved to be of important tactical value in warfare, and all nations have been busily engaged in developing superior smoke agents.
- a well known type of smoke agent is the Berger mixture which was used in the last war and which has since been improved in a number of ways.
- finely divided metallic Zinc undergoes reaction with an organic chloride.
- the zinc tends to be chlorinated to zinc chloride by the organic chloride which breaks down to liberate free carbon.
- this type of mixture is modified by added ingredients to oxidize the carbon and modify the reaction, the mixture tends to produce a gray smoke and is somewhat erratic in burning.
- the modifying agents added to the mixture do not increase the volume of smoke to any substantial extent.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a smoke-producing mixture which can be used in all types of munitions in which the Berger mixture type has been used as a filling and which is capable of generating a voluminous cloud of white smoke without the need of a substance to oxidize carbon and Without the need of inert modifying agents.
- Another object of this invention is to provide a smoke-producing mixture which forms a dense smoke by a highly exothermic reaction that slmultaneously can form a very hot slag residue, and accordingly is a Valuable adjunct in an incendiary.
- the smoke-producing composition of the present invention comprises principally a reactive inorganic or metal chloride mixed with a reactive metal, preferably also with a reactive metal oxide, which react exothermically to produce a smokeforming compound.
- a reactive inorganic or metal chloride mixed with a reactive metal, preferably also with a reactive metal oxide, which react exothermically to produce a smokeforming compound.
- Inexpensive and readily available inorganic chlorides may thus be used in the mixture, from which organic chlorides having strategic importance for other uses can be completely omitted.
- a very suitable metal chloride for the mixture is iron chloride, which can be used economically. It was found that ferric chloride could be used with finely divided zinc as a smoke-producing mixture but that it is far better to use a reactive metal oxide, such as zinc oxide, and a finely diamended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) vided reactive metal, such as grained aluminum, magnesium or zinc dust, together with the-iron chloride.
- a reactive metal oxide such as zinc oxide
- reactive metal such as grained aluminum, magnesium or zinc dust
- Other reactive metal chlorides for example, tin tetrachloride, may be used in the same manner; but these substances are mor expensive.
- the reactive elementary metal and the metal constituent of the reactive oxide should be higher in the electromotive series than the metal constituent of the reactive metal chloride, and-the elementary metal should be at least as high as the metal constituent of the oxide in the electromotive series. Also, the major proportion of the mixture by weight should be the metal chloride ingredient.
- Oxidizing salts like potassium chlorate, sodium chlorate or barium nitrate, may be added.
- Reaction-modifying substances such as ammonium chloride or sodium bicarbonate, may be employed.
- the mixture may also contain an organic dye, if it is desired to produce a colored smoke. It may also contain a combustible material, such as powdered sulfur; and it may contain a binder, such as dextrin or an oil. Although no organic chloride is necessary in the mixture, a small proportion of organic chloride, such as hexachlorethane, may be used together with the metal chloride.
- a. portion of the mixture may be used with modifying agents to delay the reaction.
- the mixture can be used satisfactorily without any modifying agent.
- the metal constituent of the metal oxide may be the same as the finely divided metal which is mixed with the chloride of another metal as, for example, in a mixture of zinc dust and zinc oxide with ferric chloride. 7
- a smoke-producing mixture comprising a major proportion by weight of a reactive metal chloride, an oxide of a metal higher in the elec- .tromotive series than the metal constituent of the chloride and a finely divided metal higher in the electromotive series than the metal constituent of the oxide, said oxide and said chloride being principal reactants.
- a smoke-producing mixture comprising a major proportion by weight of reactive iron chloride, grained aluminum and zinc oxide.
- a smoke-producing mixture comprising a major Proportion by weight of reactive ferric chloride, zinc dust and Zinc oxide.
- a smoke-producing mixture comprising a major proportion by weight of reactive anhydrous ferric chloride, grained aluminum and zinc oxide.
- a smoke-producing mixture comprising about 7% by weight of grained aluminum, about 40% by weight of zinc oxide and about 53% by 20 weight of anhydrous ferric chloride.
Description
Patented Oct. 15, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicEl ff Leo Finkelstein, Aberdeen, Md.,- and Hervey B. Elkins, United States Army No Drawing. Application November 25, 1943, Serial N0. 511,680
, Claims. (01.252-305) -(Grantedunder the act of March 3, 1883, as
The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment to us of any royalty thereon.
This invention relates to a smoke-producing mixture which is useful in munitions for producing a smoke of high obscuring power.
Obscuring smoke has proved to be of important tactical value in warfare, and all nations have been busily engaged in developing superior smoke agents. A well known type of smoke agent is the Berger mixture which was used in the last war and which has since been improved in a number of ways. In this type of agent, finely divided metallic Zinc undergoes reaction with an organic chloride. In the reaction the zinc tends to be chlorinated to zinc chloride by the organic chloride which breaks down to liberate free carbon. Unless this type of mixture is modified by added ingredients to oxidize the carbon and modify the reaction, the mixture tends to produce a gray smoke and is somewhat erratic in burning. The modifying agents added to the mixture do not increase the volume of smoke to any substantial extent.
An object of the present invention is to provide a smoke-producing mixture which can be used in all types of munitions in which the Berger mixture type has been used as a filling and which is capable of generating a voluminous cloud of white smoke without the need of a substance to oxidize carbon and Without the need of inert modifying agents.
Another object of this invention is to provide a smoke-producing mixture which forms a dense smoke by a highly exothermic reaction that slmultaneously can form a very hot slag residue, and accordingly is a Valuable adjunct in an incendiary.
The smoke-producing composition of the present invention comprises principally a reactive inorganic or metal chloride mixed with a reactive metal, preferably also with a reactive metal oxide, which react exothermically to produce a smokeforming compound. Inexpensive and readily available inorganic chlorides may thus be used in the mixture, from which organic chlorides having strategic importance for other uses can be completely omitted.
A very suitable metal chloride for the mixture is iron chloride, which can be used economically. It was found that ferric chloride could be used with finely divided zinc as a smoke-producing mixture but that it is far better to use a reactive metal oxide, such as zinc oxide, and a finely diamended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) vided reactive metal, such as grained aluminum, magnesium or zinc dust, together with the-iron chloride. Other reactive metal chlorides, for example, tin tetrachloride, may be used in the same manner; but these substances are mor expensive. In general, the reactive elementary metal and the metal constituent of the reactive oxide should be higher in the electromotive series than the metal constituent of the reactive metal chloride, and-the elementary metal should be at least as high as the metal constituent of the oxide in the electromotive series. Also, the major proportion of the mixture by weight should be the metal chloride ingredient.
Since the reaction involved is highly exothermic, all that is required to start the reaction is a suitable starting or igniting mixture, for example, such as has been used in smoke and incendiary grenades and bombs.
As an example, the following composition has been found to perform satisfactorily in grenades:
' Per cent Secondary grained aluminum .7.0 Zinc oxide 40.0 Iron chloride (FeCls) anhydrous 53.0
Experiments show that a harmless zinc chloride smoke results from such a mixture. The mixture is stable prior to ignition and does not require any other type of component. However, it is desirable to have the metal chloride anhydrous for the best performance.
If desired, other ingredients may be added in minor proportions tothe composition. Oxidizing salts, like potassium chlorate, sodium chlorate or barium nitrate, may be added. A small amount of more or less inert substances, such as magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate, may be present in the mixture. Reaction-modifying substances, such as ammonium chloride or sodium bicarbonate, may be employed. The mixture may also contain an organic dye, if it is desired to produce a colored smoke. It may also contain a combustible material, such as powdered sulfur; and it may contain a binder, such as dextrin or an oil. Although no organic chloride is necessary in the mixture, a small proportion of organic chloride, such as hexachlorethane, may be used together with the metal chloride.
In the filling of a smoke candle or smoke pot, a. portion of the mixture may be used with modifying agents to delay the reaction. However, when used in conjunction with an incendiary, the mixture can be used satisfactorily without any modifying agent.
Furthermore, when the mixture is to be used in a smoke grenade or smoke pot for producing a low-temperature smoke slowly, the metal constituent of the metal oxide may be the same as the finely divided metal which is mixed with the chloride of another metal as, for example, in a mixture of zinc dust and zinc oxide with ferric chloride. 7
It is to be noted that there are numerous combinations of ingredients which could be selected for use in the mixture and that the uantities of ingredients may be varied, but the composi-: tions are considered as embodying the present invention when they are characterized by the presence of a metal chloride, an oxide of a metal higher in the electromotive series than the metal constituent of the chloride, and a finely divided metal higher in the electromotive series than the metal constituent of the oxide. It is to be understood that various other modifications come within the spirit and scope of the invention.
What is claimed is:
1. A smoke-producing mixture comprising a major proportion by weight of a reactive metal chloride, an oxide of a metal higher in the elec- .tromotive series than the metal constituent of the chloride and a finely divided metal higher in the electromotive series than the metal constituent of the oxide, said oxide and said chloride being principal reactants.
2. A smoke-producing mixture comprising a major proportion by weight of reactive iron chloride, grained aluminum and zinc oxide.
3. A smoke-producing mixture comprising a major Proportion by weight of reactive ferric chloride, zinc dust and Zinc oxide.
4. A smoke-producing mixture comprising a major proportion by weight of reactive anhydrous ferric chloride, grained aluminum and zinc oxide.
5. A smoke-producing mixture comprising about 7% by weight of grained aluminum, about 40% by weight of zinc oxide and about 53% by 20 weight of anhydrous ferric chloride.
LEO FINKELSTEIN. HERVE-Y B. ELKINS.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US511680A US2409201A (en) | 1943-11-25 | 1943-11-25 | Smoke-producing mixture |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US511680A US2409201A (en) | 1943-11-25 | 1943-11-25 | Smoke-producing mixture |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US2409201A true US2409201A (en) | 1946-10-15 |
Family
ID=24035968
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US511680A Expired - Lifetime US2409201A (en) | 1943-11-25 | 1943-11-25 | Smoke-producing mixture |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US2409201A (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2614083A (en) * | 1944-10-13 | 1952-10-14 | Jr John C Bailar | Metal chloride screening smoke mixture |
| US3329624A (en) * | 1963-01-16 | 1967-07-04 | Hooker Chemical Corp | Composition for producing smoke |
| USRE29142E (en) * | 1968-11-21 | 1977-02-22 | Consiglio Nazionale Delle Richerche | Combustible compositions for generating aerosols, particularly suitable for cloud modification and weather control and aerosolization process |
| US4363679A (en) * | 1979-12-22 | 1982-12-14 | Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft | Use of zinc peroxide as oxidant for explosives and pyrotechnical mixtures |
| US4608102A (en) * | 1984-11-14 | 1986-08-26 | Omark Industries, Inc. | Primer composition |
-
1943
- 1943-11-25 US US511680A patent/US2409201A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2614083A (en) * | 1944-10-13 | 1952-10-14 | Jr John C Bailar | Metal chloride screening smoke mixture |
| US3329624A (en) * | 1963-01-16 | 1967-07-04 | Hooker Chemical Corp | Composition for producing smoke |
| USRE29142E (en) * | 1968-11-21 | 1977-02-22 | Consiglio Nazionale Delle Richerche | Combustible compositions for generating aerosols, particularly suitable for cloud modification and weather control and aerosolization process |
| US4363679A (en) * | 1979-12-22 | 1982-12-14 | Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft | Use of zinc peroxide as oxidant for explosives and pyrotechnical mixtures |
| US4608102A (en) * | 1984-11-14 | 1986-08-26 | Omark Industries, Inc. | Primer composition |
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