Barrel

Abstract

An improved barrel includes a first hollow portion having a preferred rectilinear extension direction and an inner surface defining a bore adapted to be travelled over by a projectile, the first hollow portion including an inner layer constituting the inner surface obtained through deposition of diamondoids by a high-vacuum process.

1 . An improved barrel ( 1 ) comprising a first hollow portion ( 2 ) having a preferred rectilinear extension direction ( 2   a ) and comprising an inner surface ( 2   c ) defining a bore ( 2   b ) adapted to be travelled over by a projectile,
 wherein said first hollow portion ( 2 ) comprises an inner layer ( 4   a ) constituting said inner surface ( 2   c ) obtained through deposition of diamondoids by a high-vacuum process.   
     
     
         2 . An improved barrel ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said inner layer ( 4   a ) is obtained by a PECVD process. 
     
     
         3 . An improved barrel ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first hollow portion ( 2 ) comprises a base body ( 6 ) and an inner coating ( 4 ) including said inner layer ( 4   a ) and at least one intermediate layer ( 4   b ) placed between said base body ( 6   a ) and inner coating ( 4 ) and adapted to ensure adhesion of said inner layer ( 4   a ) to said base body ( 6 ). 
     
     
         4 . An improved barrel ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of said first hollow portion ( 2 ) comprises an outer coating ( 5 ) including at least one layer deposited by a high-vacuum process on at least part of the outer surface of said first hollow portion ( 2 ). 
     
     
         5 . An improved barrel ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said outer coating ( 5 ) comprises an outer layer ( 5   a ) obtained by deposition of diamondoids. 
     
     
         6 . An improved barrel ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the outer coating ( 5 ) comprises a lower layer ( 5   b ) included between said base body ( 6 ) and outer layer ( 5   a ) and adapted to ensure adhesion of said outer layer ( 5   a ) to said improved barrel ( 1 ). 
     
     
         7 . A process for manufacturing an improved barrel ( 1 ) comprising a first hollow portion ( 2 ) having a rectilinear preferred extension direction ( 2   a ) and including an inner surface ( 2   c ) defining a bore ( 2   b ) adapted to be travelled over by a projectile, said process comprising a forming step adapted to manufacture a base body ( 6 ) and wherein the process comprises a step of carrying out an inner deposition of diamondoids by a high-vacuum process on said inner surface ( 2   c ). 
     
     
         8 . A process as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said inner-deposition step is carried out by a PECVD process. 
     
     
         9 . A process as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said inner-deposition step forms at least one intermediate layer ( 4   b ) placed between said base body ( 6 ) and inner coating ( 4 ) and adapted to ensure adhesion of said inner layer ( 4   a ) to said base body ( 6 ). 
     
     
         10 . A process as claimed in  claim 7 , comprising an outer-deposition step adapted to lay down an outer coating ( 5 ), through a high-vacuum process, on at least part of the outer surface of said first hollow portion ( 2 ). 
     
     
         11 . A manufacturing process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said outer-deposition step and inner-deposition step are made simultaneously.