Lead free reduced ricochet limited penetration projectile

Abstract

A frangible projectile with a specific gravity similar to a lead projectile. The projectile comprises 34-94%, by weight, binder. The binder comprises poly ether block amide resin. The projectile further comprises 6-66%, by weight, ballast. The ballast comprises at least one member selected from a group consisting of tungsten, tungsten carbide, molybdenum, tantalum, ferro-tungsten, copper, bismuth, iron, steel, brass, aluminium bronze, beryllium copper, tin, aluminium, titanium, zinc, nickel silver alloy, cupronickel and nickel. The projectile can be prepared with a particularly preferred specific gravity of 5-14 and more preferably 11-11.5.

Claimed is:  
     
         1 . A projectile comprising a ballast encased in a binder wherein said binder comprises polyether block amide resin.  
     
     
         2 . The projectile of  claim 1  comprising about 6 to about 66%, by weight, said ballast and about 34-94%, by weight, said binder.  
     
     
         3 . The projectile of  claim 2  comprising x-x %, by weight, said ballast and y-y %, by weight, said binder.  
     
     
         4 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein said binder further comprises a second resin.  
     
     
         5 . The projectile of  claim 4  wherein said binder comprises about 10 to about 30%, by weight, said polyether block amide resin and about 70 to about 90%, by weight, said second resin.  
     
     
         6 . The projectile of  claim 4  wherein said second resin is selected from a group consisting of nylon and polybutylene terephthalate.  
     
     
         7 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein said ballast comprises at least one member selected from a group consisting of tungsten, tungsten carbide, molybdenum, tantalum, ferro-tungsten, copper, bismuth, iron, steel, brass, aluminium bronze, beryllium copper, tin, aluminium, titanium, zinc, nickel silver alloy, cupronickel and nickel.  
     
     
         8 . The projectile of  claim 7  wherein said ballast comprises at least one member selected from a group consisting of tungsten, tungsten carbide, tantalum, molybdenum and ferro-tungsten.  
     
     
         9 . The projectile of  claim 8  wherein said ballast consist essentially of tungsten.  
     
     
         10 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein said projectile has a minimum specific gravity of 5.  
     
     
         11 . The projectile of  claim 10  wherein said projectile has a minimum specific gravity of  10 .  
     
     
         12 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein said binder further comprises a fiber.  
     
     
         13 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein said binder further comprises a lubricant.  
     
     
         14 . A frangible projectile comprising: 
 a binder comprising about 10-30%, by weight, poly ether block amid resin;    a ballast comprising tungsten.    
     
     
         15 . A frangible projectile comprising: 
 34-94%, by weight, binder wherein said binder comprises poly ether block amide resin; and    6-66%, by weight, ballast wherein said ballast comprises at least one member selected from a group consisting of tungsten, tungsten carbide, molybdenum, tantalum, ferro-tungsten, copper, bismuth, iron, steel, brass, aluminium bronze, beryllium copper, tin, aluminium, titanium, zinc, nickel silver alloy, cupronickel and nickel; and    wherein said projectile has a specific gravity of about 5 to about 14.    
     
     
         16 . The frangible projectile of  claim 15  wherein said projectile has a specific gravity of at least about 10.  
     
     
         17 . The frangible projectile of  claim 16  wherein said projectile has a specific gravity of about 11 to about 11.5.  
     
     
         18 . The frangible projectile of  claim 15  wherein said ballast consist essentially of tungsten.  
     
     
         19 . The frangible projectile of  claim 15  further comprising a second resin.  
     
     
         20 . The frangible projectile of  claim 19  wherein said second resin is selected from a group consisting of nylon and polybutylene terephthalate.  
     
     
         21 . The frangible projectile of  claim 19  wherein said second resin is nylon selected from a group consisting of nylon 6, nylon 6/6, nylon 11 and nylon 12.  
     
     
         22 . The frangible projectile of  claim 15  wherein said binder further comprises a fiber.  
     
     
         23 . The frangible projectile of  claim 22  wherein said fiber is an aramid.  
     
     
         24 . The frangible projectile of  claim 15  wherein said binder further comprises a lubricant.  
     
     
         25 . The frangible projectile of  claim 24  wherein said lubricant is at least one material chosen from a group consisting of molybdenum disulfide, silicone, polytetrafluoethylene and mineral oil.