Ductile medium-and high-density, non-toxic shot and other articles and method for producing the same

• US 20030172775A1
• Filed: 02/03/2003
• Published: 09/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amick Family Revocable Living Trust
• Original Assignee: Darryl D. Amick
• Inventors: Amick, Darryl D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,890,480 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 75/340
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 1/0433 Nickel- or cobalt-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 1/045 Alloys based on refractory metals
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 19/03 based on nickel
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 27/04 Alloys based on tungsten or molybdenum
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 30/00 Alloys containing less than 50% by weight of each constituent
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 38/08 containing nickel C22C38/105 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/74 of the core or solid body
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 7/046 Pellets or shot therefor

Abstract

Medium- and high-density articles are formed from melting and casting alloys containing tungsten, iron, nickel and optionally manganese and/or steel. In some embodiments, the articles have densities in the range of 8-10.5 g/cm³, and in other embodiments, the articles have densities in the range of 10.5-15 g/cm³. In some embodiments, the articles are ferromagnetic, and in others the articles are not ferromagnetic. In some embodiments, tungsten forms the largest weight percent of the alloy, and in other embodiments the alloy contains no more than 50 wt % tungsten. In some embodiments, the articles are shell shot.

Claims

1. A method for making articles having densities greater than 8 g/cc, comprising:

forming an alloy comprising the following range of compositions;

20-70% tungsten;

4.2-70% nickel;

0-55% iron; and

casting an article at least substantially from the alloy.

2. An article produced according to the method of claim 1.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the casting step includes drop casting.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the casting step includes drop casting the molten alloy without passing the molten alloy through a sieve.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the casting step includes near-net-shape casting.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the casting step includes casting an ingot from the alloy and then forging the article from the ingot.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising mechanically deforming the cast article to a desired shape and size.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the casting step includes mechanically sizing the cast article by compressive grinding.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the alloy includes no more than 50% tungsten.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the alloy has a density in the range of 8-10.5 g/cc.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the alloy has a density in the range of 10.5-15 g/cc.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the alloy further comprises manganese.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the alloy further comprises steel.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the alloy includes ferrotungsten.

15. A shotgun shell, comprising:

a casing containing at least wadding, a charge and a primer;

a plurality of shell shot within the casing, wherein the shell shot are at least substantially formed from a cast alloy comprising;

20-70% tungsten;

4.2-70% nickel; and

0-55% iron.

16. The shell of claim 15, wherein the cast alloy further comprises steel.

17. The shell of claim 15, wherein the cast alloy further comprises manganese.

18. The shell of claim 15, wherein the cast alloy contains ferrotungsten.

19. The shell of claim 15, wherein the cast alloy has a density in the range of 8-10.5 g/cc.

20. The shell of claim 15, wherein the cast alloy has a density in the range of 10.5-15 g/cc.