Biodegradable Ammunition Components via Composite Injection Moulding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ammunition components made from non-biodegradable plastics cause environmental contamination due to slow degradation, necessitating the development of biodegradable alternatives that meet technical specifications for strength and density while being easily manufacturable.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable ammunition component is manufactured using film-grade bioplastics and injection moulding, with a composition of 60-99 wt% biodegradable film-grade bioplastic and 0-40 wt% filler comprising a biodegradable polymer and non-toxic mineral, allowing for quick biodegradation and stable size retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If film-grade bioplastics are used to maximise biodegradability, then degradation speed is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases due to melt flow rate and tensile strength issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines film-grade bioplastic with a biodegradable polymer matrix to create a composite material that maintains the quick degradation properties of film-grade bioplastic while gaining the manufacturability benefits of the polymer matrix, resolving the contradiction between degradation speed and manufacturing ease
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the bioplastic formulation by adjusting plasticizer content, molecular weight, and composition ratios to achieve optimal balance between degradation performance and injection moulding processability
2Ease of manufacture
If PLA is used for injection moulding, then ease of manufacture is improved, but biodegradation performance worsens due to lack of elastomeric properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite system where PLA or other biodegradable polymers serve as the matrix material providing manufacturability, while film-grade bioplastic particles are incorporated as reinforcement that enhances degradation performance, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and biodegradation capability
3Strength
If non-biodegradable plastics are used, then strength and density are improved, but environmental contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the physical and chemical parameters of biodegradable materials including crystallinity, molecular weight, and composition to achieve strength levels comparable to conventional plastics while maintaining biodegradability, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and environmental harm
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs ammunition components using biodegradable materials that fulfill their functional purpose during use and then naturally degrade after use, replacing permanent non-biodegradable plastics with temporary biodegradable alternatives that eliminate long-term environmental contamination
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient and stable production of biodegradable ammunition components that quickly degrade in water, maintaining size consistency and meeting the required strength and density for functional use, while avoiding environmental contamination.
Implementation Method 1
heating and mixing together a biodegradable film-grade bioplastic and a filler
Implementation Method 2
forming the injection moulded biodegradable component by injection moulding
Implementation Method 3
the combination of materials used in the present invention do not shrink whilst setting during the injection moulding so the biodegradable component produced matches the size of the mould's cavity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an injection moulded biodegradable component comprising: a) 60 to 99 wt % of a biodegradable film-grade bioplastic; and b) 0 to 40 wt % of filler comprising a biodegradable polymer and a non-toxic 5 mineral; and methods for producing said component.