Environmentally Benign Igniter Materials

SRI's new igniters are an environmentally safe replacement for the metal-based igniter compounds now used by the gun, airbag, and explosives industries. This innovative technology is the only igniter that is exclusively CHNO-based. In addition to use as igniters, the compounds are also polymerization catalysts and can be used for thermally initiated free radical polymerizations. SRI's igniter work was funded in part by AFRL-Edwards Air Force Base.

Advantage
SRI's new igniter compounds represent the only alternative to environmentally harmful metal-based compounds now in use. The lab's work in developing the compounds yielded a new type of free radical polymerization catalyst, offering a higher initiation temperature than is commonly found in materials today.

Opportunity
This patented technology is available for licensing or for further R&D work in partnership with SRI. Possible licensing and development opportunities with commercial market appeal include

• Airbag ignition elements
• Explosive charge ignition
• Gun propellants
• Polymer initiator

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