Lead free, composite polymer based bullet and method of manufacturing

• US 20060102041A1
• Filed: 11/10/2005
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Velocity Holdings LLC (Centerpoint Energy Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Polytech Ammunition Company
• Inventors: Wiley, Sy, Rembert, William E. III
• Granted Patent: US 7,204,191 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 102/517
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/0672 Spin welding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/08 using ultrasonic vibrations non-plastics element to plastics elements B29C65/645
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/16 Laser beams
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1222 comprising at least a lapped joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1224 comprising at least a butt joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5344 said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length, e.g. joining flanges to tube ends B29C66/5346 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/612 Making circumferential joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7212 characterised by the composition of the fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/73921 characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2077/00 Use of PA, i.e. polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2309/08 Glass
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7772 Cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/745 the core being made of plastics; Compounds or blends of plastics and other materials, e.g. fillers
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/025 characterised by the dimension of the case or the missile
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/26 Cartridge cases F42B5/18 takes precedence ; manufacturing of cartridge cases B21K21/04
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/30 of plastics , i.e. the cartridge-case tube is of plastics
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/36 modified for housing an integral firing-cap

Abstract

A lead-free, composite polymer based bullet and cartridge case and methods of manufacturing the same, wherein the composite polymer material includes a tungsten metal powder, nylon 6/6, nylon 6, short glass fibers, as well as additives and stabilizers. The cartridge case includes a lip lock configured to matingly engage a cannelure formed along an outer circumferential surface of the bullet. The cartridge case also includes resilient walls wherein the case may snap fit onto the bullet. The bullet and cartridge case may be formed in a single step process by injection molding or a two step process including injection molding and a welding process.

Claims

1. A lead-free bullet, comprising:

a body made from a composite polymer material and having a front end and a rear end;

a cannelure formed on an outer circumferential surface of the body intermediate the front and rear ends of the body, wherein the composite polymer material includes a tungsten metal powder, nylon 6/6, nylon 6, and glass fibers; and

a specific gravity in a range of 3-10.

2. The bullet according to claim 1, wherein the tungsten metal powder is 50%-96% of a weight of the bullet body, the nylon 6/6 is 0.5% -15% of the weight of the bullet body, the nylon 6 is 0.5%-15% of the weight of the bullet body, and wherein the glass fibers are 0.5%-15% of the weight of the bullet body.

3. The bullet according to claim 2, wherein the tungsten metal powder is 60%-95% of the weight of the bullet body, the nylon 6/6 is 1.0%-12% of the weight of the bullet body, the nylon 6 is 1.0%-12% of the weight of the bullet body, and wherein the glass fibers are 1.0%-12% of the weight of the bullet body.

4. The bullet according to claim 3, wherein the tungsten metal powder is 70%-90% of the weight of the bullet body, the nylon 6/6 is 2.0%-9.0% of the weight of the bullet body, the nylon 6 is 2.0%-9.0% of the weight of the bullet body, and wherein the glass fibers are 2.0%-9.0% of the weight of the bullet body.

5. The bullet according to claim 1, wherein the specific gravity of the bullet is in the range of 6-9.

6. The bullet according to claim 5, wherein the specific gravity of the bullet is in the range of 7.5-8.5.

7. The bullet according to claim 1, wherein the tungsten metal power is encapsulated in the composite polymer material.

8-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A method for manufacturing a lead-free bullet having a body made from a composite polymer material including tungsten metal powder, nylon 6/6, nylon 6, and glass fibers, the method comprising the following steps:

providing a mold configured to a predetermined caliber bullet; and

feeding the composite polymer material through an injection molding apparatus into the mold.

18-19. -19. (canceled)