Method of making polymer ammunition having a wicking texturing

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides a making a polymeric ammunition having wicking texturing about the projectile end.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of making a polymeric ammunition having wicking texturing comprising the steps of:
 providing a substantially cylindrical primer insert comprising a top surface opposite a bottom surface and a substantially cylindrical coupling element that extends from the bottom surface, wherein the substantially cylindrical coupling element forms an outer surface opposite an inner circumferential surface, a primer recess in the top surface that extends toward the bottom surface, a primer flash aperture positioned in the primer recess to extend through the bottom surface, and a locking groove that extends circumferentially about the top surface;   providing a first polymer composition for molding a polymer ammunition cartridge;   molding from the first polymer composition a substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body having the substantially cylindrical metal primer insert at a first end and a substantially cylindrical polymeric coupling region at a second end, wherein the first polymer composition extends over an outer surface of the substantially cylindrical metal primer insert to the flange and extends over an interior surface of the substantially cylindrical coupling region to the primer flash hole aperture, wherein the first polymer composition extends from the substantially cylindrical polymeric coupling region to the primer flash hole aperture;   providing a textured middle body surface on the substantially cylindrical coupling region;   inserting a primer into the primer flash hole aperture;   forming a substantially cylindrical polymeric projectile end component from a second polymer composition, wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric projectile end comprises a projectile end coupling region that extends to a shoulder region that reduces to a neck region having a projectile aperture;   coupling the projectile end coupling region couples to the textured surface to form a propellant chamber that extends from the primer flash hole aperture to the projectile aperture;   
       filling at least partially the propellant chamber with a propellant;
 providing a textured projectile aperture surface about an inner surface of the projectile aperture, wherein the textured projectile aperture surface couples the projectile to the projectile aperture; 
 fitting a projectile in the projectile aperture; and 
 applying an adhesive to the textured projectile aperture surface, wherein the textured projectile aperture surface provides wicking. 
 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a primer flash aperture groove positioned in the primer recess around the primer flash aperture and the first polymer composition extends into the primer flash aperture to form a flash hole. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first polymer composition is the same as the second polymer composition. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first polymer composition is a ductile polymer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first polymer composition, the second polymer composition or both comprise a nylon polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first polymer composition, the second polymer composition or both comprise a fiber-reinforced polymeric composite. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first polymer composition, the second polymer composition or both comprise between about 10 and about 70 wt % glass fiber fillers, mineral fillers, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bullet aperture comprises one or more cannelures formed on an inner circumferential surface of the bullet aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially cylindrical coupling region and the polymeric bullet-end coupling are welded or bonded together. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first polymer composition, the second polymer composition or both comprise polyurethane prepolymer, cellulose, fluoro-polymer, ethylene inter-polymer alloy elastomer, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, polyether imide, polyester elastomer, polyester sulfone, polyphenyl amide, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride or thermoset polyurea elastomer, acrylics, homopolymers, acetates, copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadinen-styrene, thermoplastic fluoro polymers, inomers, polyamides, polyamide-imides, polyacrylates, polyatherketones, polyaryl-sulfones, polybenzimidazoles, polycarbonates, polybutylene, terephthalates, polyether imides, polyether sulfones, thermoplastic polyimides, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyphenylene sulfides, polyethylene, polypropylene, polysulfones, polyvinylchlorides, styrene acrylonitriles, polystyrenes, polyphenylene, ether blends, styrene maleic anhydrides, polycarbonates, allyls, aminos, cyanates, epoxies, phenolics, unsaturated polyesters, bismaleimides, polyurethanes, silicones, vinylesters, urethane hybrids, polyphenylsulfones, copolymers of polyphenylsulfones with polyethersulfones or polysulfones, copolymers of poly-phenylsulfones with siloxanes, blends of polyphenylsulfones with polysiloxanes, poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers, blends of polyetherimides and polysiloxanes, and blends of polyetherimides and poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more internal structures in the neck to support a bullet. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bullet aperture comprises one, two, three, or more annular rings that mate with one, two, three, or more corresponding annular grooves positioned on a bullet.