Metal-Metal-Matrix Composite Barrels

Abstract

The invention is directed to the construction of weapon barrels from a steel core and at least one metal-matrix material sleeve, forming a composite metal-metal-matrix barrel which are applicable in rifles, shotguns, cannons, and mortars. Due to the properties of the metal-matrix materials (e.g. higher specific strength, higher specific heat capacity and lower density), the composite barrels can exhibit a higher rate of fire, reduced weight, improved accuracy, or a combination of any of these properties. Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of such barrels with improved performance, properties of the metal-matrix materials necessary to allow these improvements as well as methods to produce the same.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A weapon barrel having 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, thereby forming a metal-metal-matrix composite barrel. 
     
     
         2 . The weapon barrel of  claim 1 , wherein the metal matrix material has 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 barrel's core material. 
     
     
         3 . The weapon barrel of  claim 1 , wherein the metal matrix material comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, titanium, beryllium and magnesium alloys, and composites, and a filler material selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes, graphite, diamond, carbides, and nitrides. 
     
     
         4 . The weapon barrel of  claim 1 , wherein the metal matrix material comprises a material having a linear thermal expansion coefficient between 0 and 30 ppm/K. 
     
     
         5 . The weapon barrel of  claim 1 , wherein the metal matrix material comprises a material having thermal conductivity between 5 to 400 W/m·K. 
     
     
         6 . The weapon barrel of  claim 1 , wherein the metal matrix material comprises a material having a specific heat capacity greater than 0.45 J/g·K. 
     
     
         7 . The weapon barrel of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one barrel jacket extends over at least 30% of the weapon barrel. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The weapon barrel of  claim 1  comprising a portion of a weapon, the weapon being selected from the group consisting of a rifle, a shotgun, a cannon, and a mortar. 
     
     
         11 . The weapon barrel of  claim 1 , wherein at least one barrel jacket is adhered to the barrel core by an interference fit which is bearing in the operational temperature range of the weapon. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The weapon barrel of  claim 1 , wherein the weapon barrel comprises a fluted surface. 
     
     
         14 . The weapon barrel of  claim 1 , wherein the weapon barrel comprises a variable diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The weapon barrel of  claim 1  comprising a portion of a weapon, the weapon being selected from the group consisting of a semi-automatic weapon and an automatic weapon.