Lightweight Gun Barrel

Because of their desirable physical properties, technical ceramics have been investigated for use in gun barrels. When compared to steel, ceramics offer significantly less weight, longer barrel life and the ability to survive higher rates of fire and theuse of hotter propellants. Previous attempts by government and industry to use technical ceramics in gun barrels typically have focused on use of ceramic liners or coating in some manner. Typically, these efforts have produced only marginal results dueto ceramic failure. Our approach builds actual ceramic barrels that are reinforced to enable their satisfactory use as gun barrels. The basis of our technology is the reinforcement of materials that are extremely hard and brittle so that they may be usedfor purposes not previously feasible, such as gun barrels. Referred to as Composite Reinforced Ceramic Technology (CRCT), this technology has been privately researched and funded. A proof of principle has been successfully demonstrated with thousands ofsatisfactory firings in small caliber. The technology is ready for further research and development for military calibers.Lighter weight, longer life and lower cost gun barrels for use in law enforcement and shooting sports. Advanced internal combustionengines with high power to weight ratio. Industrial tubing for transporting corrosive chemicals and super heated steam.