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Lead free frangible iron bullets

Inactive Publication Date: 2016-03-31
PM BALLISTICS
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is about making bullets that are easier to break into pieces when they hit a target. This is done by using a certain type of powdered iron and adding a lubricant and other materials to the mix. The bullets are then soaked in a resin or plastic to make them stronger and easier to use. The process is simple and can be automated, making it easier to produce many bullets at once.

Problems solved by technology

The highly toxic nature of lead, however, and its propensity to fume and generate airborne particulate, place the shooter at an extreme health risk.
The more a firing range is used, the more lead residue builds up, and the greater the resulting lead fume and lead dust pollution (particularly for indoor ranges).
Moreover, the lead bullet residue left in the earthen berm of outdoor ranges can leach into the soil and contaminate water tables.
In order for indoor ranges to operate safely, they require extensive and expensive air filtration systems, and both indoor and outdoor ranges require constant de-leading.
These cleanup operations are time consuming, costly and repetitive.
Additionally, personnel at range operations are concerned with the ricochet potential and the likelihood of causing “back-splatter” of the training ammunition.
Ricochets present a significant hazard to individual equipment and structures in and around live firing ranges.
Back splatter presents a significant danger to shooters, training personnel standing on or around the firing line and observers.

Method used

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  • Lead free frangible iron bullets
  • Lead free frangible iron bullets
  • Lead free frangible iron bullets

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

[0030]One grade of iron powder produced by Hoeganaes Corporation was blended with die lubricant, assigned these numbers:

[0031]1) 96.35% iron with 2.90% FE 3 P 16% and 0.75% zinc stearate (lubricant)

[0032]2) The base iron material is trademarked under Hoeganaes Corporations name Anchorsteel 1000C

[0033]About a 90 grain sample of the powder blend was pressed (molded) in a die to make the 9 mm projectiles. Projectile size was approximately 9 mm (0.354 inches) diameter×13.5 mm (0.53 inches) long. The bullets were sintered in a belt furnace in a 100% nitrogen atmosphere. Density of bullets was determined using the water immersion technique. Bullets were then resin impregnated and coated with zinc phosphate per MIL-DTL-16232G Class Z Type 2. Other normal plating processes can be used at this point to alter the appearance / color of the bullet. This is followed with a coating or plating using either copper in accordance with ASTM B734-97 Class 5 or coated with manganese phosphate or zinc phos...

example 2

[0046]Additional test firing of bullets made to the same material composition and loading techniques as pre example 1 were conducted. Except in this case the projectiles were copper plated instead of the zinc phosphate coating.

[0047]a) A single test round with the copper plating fragmented as follows:

[0048]Total weight prior to screening=5.54 grams

[0049]Screen powder (or small particles) passing through the 14 mesh screen=1.64 grams (30%)

[0050]Fragments not passing through the 14 mesh screen=3.90 grams (70%)

[0051]The largest fragment size was approximately 0.19×0.18×0.16 inches and weighed no more than 0.55 grams (10%).

example 3

[0052]Additional test firing of bullets made to the same material composition and loading techniques as per example 1 were conducted. Except in this case the projectiles were molded to a longer length of 15 mm (0.59 inches) and were a slightly higher in weight as noted below. Additionally the parts were plated using a standard zinc plating process to 0.0025 inch plating thickness.

[0053]a) A single test round with the zinc plating fragmented as follows:

[0054]Total weight prior to screening=5.67 grams

[0055]Screened powder (or small particles) passing through the 14 mesh screen=4.18 grams (74%)

[0056]Fragments not passing through the 14 mesh screen=1.48 grams (26%)

[0057]The largest fragment size was approximately 0.25×0.20×0.18 inches and weighed no more than 0.28 grams (5%).

[0058]b) A second test of the bullets from example 3 was completed using 10 rounds and the combined weights were recorded.

[0059]Total 10 round weight prior to screening=51.95 grams

[0060]Screened powder (or small par...

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PUM

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Abstract

The invention relates to sintered iron bullets having increased frangibility (or which can be easily fragmented) and to the materials and processes for the manufacture of such bullets. The bullets of the present invention are typically made from iron powder (including powdered iron from scrap iron) which are pressed to form a briquette and then sintered under conditions so as to obtain bullets with the desired level of frangibility. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the bullets are resin or plastic impregnated and then coated to facilitate lubricity and prevent corrosion.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a frangible firearm projectile.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Traditionally, bullets for small arms ammunition have been manufactured from lead and lead alloys. The major advantages of lead as a bullet material are its relatively low cost, high density and high ductility. The high density of lead has been important to bullet design because the energy generated by the weight of a bullet has generally been thought to be important to the proper functioning of modern semi-automatic and automatic weapons, the in-flight stability of the round, and the terminal effects of the bullet.[0003]The highly toxic nature of lead, however, and its propensity to fume and generate airborne particulate, place the shooter at an extreme health risk. The more a firing range is used, the more lead residue builds up, and the greater the resulting lead fume and lead dust pollution (particularly for indoor ranges). Moreover, the lead bullet residu...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): F42B12/22F42B5/02F42B33/00
CPCF42B12/22F42B33/00F42B5/02F42B12/367F42B12/745F42B12/72F42B12/74F42B8/14F42B12/82
Inventor SHERIDAN, PHILIP, H.YNTEMA, STUART, H.EASLICK, TED, R.YNTEMA, STEVEN, B.YNTEMA, STUART
Owner PM BALLISTICS
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