A weapon barrel includes an inner core and an outer sleeve. The inner core has a first end, a second end, a bore extending from the first end to the second end, and an external surface extending from the first end to the second end. The inner core includes a material selected from the group consisting of a ferrous alloy, a non-ferrous alloy, a ceramic, a bonded ceramic, and a cemented carbide. The outer sleeve has a first end, a second end, an internal surface extending from the first end to the second end, and an external surface extending from the first end to the second end. The outer sleeve is disposed around and permanently joined to the inner core. The outer sleeve includes a material selected from the group consisting of a metal-matrix composite and a beryllium alloy, the outer sleeve material being located at and between the internal surface and the external surface of the outer sleeve.
B22F 3/14 - Both compacting and sintering simultaneously
B22F 3/24 - After-treatment of workpieces or articles
B22F 5/10 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the special shape of the product of articles with cavities or holes, not otherwise provided for in the preceding subgroups
B22F 7/08 - Manufacture of composite layers, workpieces, or articles, comprising metallic powder, by sintering the powder, with or without compacting of composite workpieces or articles from parts, e.g. to form tipped tools with one or more parts not made from powder
B23P 11/02 - Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques, not otherwise provided for by first expanding and then shrinking or vice versa, e.g. by using pressure fluidsConnecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques, not otherwise provided for by making force fits
Methods of manufacturing metal, metal-matrix, metal-metal-matrix composite weapon barrels offer barrels with improved thermal performance and rigidity with no, minimal or negative weight increase. A barrel may include a barrel core surrounded by a lightweight, thermally conductive sleeve made from metal, metal-matrix composite (MMC) materials, also referred to as metal-matrix material. The barrel core and barrel sleeve may include aligning features to prevent separation and movement of the sleeve along the core. The disclosed methods provide for material combinations and part designs that prevent separation of their parts over the life of the weapon barrel and allow the barrel to perform at high cadence over the whole temperature range the barrel is used.
F41A 21/24 - Barrels or gun tubes with fins or ribs, e.g. for cooling
B22F 3/14 - Both compacting and sintering simultaneously
B22F 3/24 - After-treatment of workpieces or articles
B22F 5/10 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the special shape of the product of articles with cavities or holes, not otherwise provided for in the preceding subgroups
B22F 7/08 - Manufacture of composite layers, workpieces, or articles, comprising metallic powder, by sintering the powder, with or without compacting of composite workpieces or articles from parts, e.g. to form tipped tools with one or more parts not made from powder
B23P 11/02 - Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques, not otherwise provided for by first expanding and then shrinking or vice versa, e.g. by using pressure fluidsConnecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques, not otherwise provided for by making force fits
A weapon barrel has a barrel core composed of iron or nickel alloy and at least one barrel jacket made from a metal-matrix material encasing the barrel core. The jacket and core thereby form a metal-metal-matrix composite barrel. The metal-matrix material may have a specific tensile strength that is greater than or equal to 80 N·m/g, and greater than or equal to the specific tensile strength of the barrels core material. The metal matrix material may include aluminum, titanium, beryllium and magnesium alloys, and composites, in addition to a filler material such as carbon nanotubes, graphite, diamond, carbides, and nitrides.
patents