Projectile with amorphous polymer tip

Abstract

Projectiles with amorphous polymer tips have an elongated body, the body having a forward end, the body having a rear end opposite the forward end, the body having an intermediate cylindrical portion between the rear and forward ends, the front end of the body defining a cavity, a nose element, at least a portion of which is received in the cavity, wherein the nose element is an elongated body having opposed ends, and wherein the nose element is polymer resin having a glass transition point temperature greater than or equal to 185° C. The nose element may be a polymer resin that does not have a discrete melting point. The nose element may be a polymer resin having a glass transition point temperature less than or equal to 225° C. The nose element may be a polymer resin having a molding temperature melt point greater than or equal to 330° C.

1 . A bullet for a centerfire cartridge comprising:
 a unitary body formed of a lead alloy surrounded by a copper jacket;   the body having a forward end;   the body having a rear end opposite the forward end;   the body having an intermediate cylindrical portion between the rear and forward ends;   the front end of the body defining a cavity;   a nose element, at least a portion of which is received in the cavity   wherein the nose element is an elongated body having opposed ends; and   wherein the nose element is polymer resin having a glass transition point temperature greater than or equal to 210° C.   
     
     
         2 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the nose element is a polymer resin that does not have a discrete melting point. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the nose element is Polyetherimide (PEI). 
     
     
         5 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the nose element is Polyphenylsulphone (PPSU). 
     
     
         6 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the nose element is a polymer resin having a glass transition point temperature less than or equal to 225° C. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the nose element is a polymer resin having a glass transition point temperature greater than or equal to 225° C. 
     
     
         9 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the nose element is a polymer resin having a molding temperature melt point greater than or equal to 330° C. 
     
     
         10 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 1  wherein one end of the nose element has a pointed tip. 
     
     
         11 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 1  wherein one end of the nose element is tapered. 
     
     
         12 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the portion of the nose element received in the cavity is cylindrical. 
     
     
         13 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the forward end of the body has a tapered surface portion, and wherein the nose element has an external surface portion extending smoothly from the tapered surface portion. 
     
     
         14 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 13  wherein the tapered surface portion of the body and the external surface portion of the nose element have a common ogive radius. 
     
     
         15 . A bullet for a centerfire cartridge comprising:
 a unitary body formed of a lead alloy surrounded by a copper jacket;   the body having a forward end;   the body having a rear end opposite the forward end;   the body having an intermediate cylindrical portion between the rear and forward ends;   the front end of the body defining a cavity;   a resilient pointed nose element having a first portion received in the cavity and a second portion extending from the forward end of the body; and   wherein the nose element is selected from the group consisting of Polyetherimide (PEI) and Polyphenylsulphone (PPSU).   
     
     
         16 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 15  wherein the second portion of the nose element is tapered. 
     
     
         17 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 15  wherein the first portion of the nose element is cylindrical. 
     
     
         18 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 15  wherein the cavity is a cylindrical bore. 
     
     
         19 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 15  wherein the forward end of the body has a tapered surface portion, and wherein the second portion of the nose element has an external surface portion extending smoothly from the tapered surface portion. 
     
     
         20 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 19  wherein the tapered surface portion of the body and the external surface portion of the nose element have a common ogive radius. 
     
     
         21 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the body has a diameter of 0.3 inch. 
     
     
         22 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the body has a length greater than the nose element. 
     
     
         23 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the portion of the nose element which is received in the cavity has a cylindrical profile. 
     
     
         24 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the cavity has a smooth cylindrical profile. 
     
     
         25 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the portion of the nose element which is received in the cavity is entirely encompassed by the body. 
     
     
         26 . The bullet for a centerfire cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the nose element is polymer resin having a glass transition point temperature greater than or equal to 220° C.