Frangible Projectile Polymer-Bound Metal Powder Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional frangible projectiles require high-temperature sintering processes, which are energy-intensive and costly, and their properties are heavily dependent on metal and sintering conditions, limiting their economic and effective production.
Innovation Solution
The development of frangible projectile compositions comprising 50% to 98% powder metal and 2% to 10% polymer components, where the powder metal is compacted and impregnated with a polymer, allowing for curing without the need for debinding and sintering, thereby reducing processing energy and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional high-temperature sintering processes are used to prepare frangible projectiles, then the frangible properties are achieved, but the energy consumption and processing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the processing parameters from high-temperature sintering to room-temperature or low-temperature curing by using polymer-bound metal powder compositions. The polymer binder enables the metal powder compact to achieve frangible properties through curing rather than sintering, dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of metal powder bound by polymer materials. This composite structure allows the projectile to exhibit frangible behavior upon impact while being processed at low temperatures. The polymer-metal composite replaces the traditional sintered metal structure, eliminating the need for high-energy sintering processes.
2Reliability
If conventional sintering processes are used, then frangible projectiles are produced, but the manufacturing complexity and equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the processing conditions from high-temperature sintering requiring specialized equipment to room-temperature or low-temperature curing that can be performed with simple molds and curing agents. This parameter change eliminates complex sintering equipment while maintaining frangible properties through the polymer-bound metal powder composition.
3Use of energy by moving object
If polymer-bound metal powder compositions are used, then processing energy is reduced, but the handling strength before impact may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating the polymer binder before the impact event. The polymer-bound metal powder composition is formed and cured in advance, providing adequate handling strength during storage and loading. Upon impact, the frangible properties are activated, allowing the projectile to disintegrate as intended. The preliminary polymer binding ensures both handling strength and subsequent frangibility.
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
This method produces frangible projectiles with improved handling strength, reduced barrel sparking, and effective frangibility upon impact, while eliminating the need for high-temperature processing, resulting in a more economical and efficient manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
impregnating the green compact with a polymer
Implementation Method 2
curing the green compact
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, the invention relates to compositions useful in frangible projectiles, methods of making same, and articles comprising same This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.