초록 ▼

The disclosure relates to a method of producing rifled, non-metallic barrels of composite material in the form of a fiber-reinforced thermosetting matrix for rocket and grenade launcher ordnance, and barrels produced in accordance therewith. The characterizing feature of the present invention is tha

The disclosure relates to a method of producing rifled, non-metallic barrels of composite material in the form of a fiber-reinforced thermosetting matrix for rocket and grenade launcher ordnance, and barrels produced in accordance therewith. The characterizing feature of the present invention is that this results in barrels with the same fiber content in both the lands of the barrel rifling and in its rifling grooves which has been realized in that a porous fluffy mat with a high capacity to absorb the matrix material is employed in the rifled portion of the barrel.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of producing for use as a rocket launcher or grenade launcher ordnance a rifled, non-metallic barrel, having, in cross section, lands alternating with grooves with smooth transitions therebetween, said barrel being made from a composite material comprising a thermosetting matrix material an

A method of producing for use as a rocket launcher or grenade launcher ordnance a rifled, non-metallic barrel, having, in cross section, lands alternating with grooves with smooth transitions therebetween, said barrel being made from a composite material comprising a thermosetting matrix material and reinforcing fibers, said method comprising: providing a rifled mandrel having a length at least as great as the length of the desired barrel, and an outer diameter which corresponds to the inner diameter of the desired barrel, said rifled mandrel having a substantially circular cross section, with longitudinal rifling grooves alternating with longitudinal rifling lands with smooth transitions therebetween, said lands and grooves corresponding to the grooves and lands respectively for the rifling of the desired barrel; surrounding said rifled mandrel with a continuous, porous, fluffy mat formed of a fibrous material, said mat being capable of absorbing said matrix material in its uncured or prepolymer state, and being drenched with said matrix material; thereafter surrounding the mat with a plurality of fiber layers drenched with matrix material, so as to dispose said layers peripherally about the mandrel; applying said fiber layers against said fluffy mat with the matrix material absorbed therein to compress said mat and to fill the rifling grooves of the mandrel, the mat and its content of matrix material being thereby compressed to a smaller thickness above the lands than above the grooves of the mandrel, with the thicker parts thereof penetrating into said rifling grooves, at the same time forcing out surplus matrix material and entrapped air; continuing the application of additional drenched fiber layers until the barrel wall has reached a desired thickness; curing the matrix material; and removing the resulting barrel from the mandrel.