Lightweight Advanced Composite Mortar Barrels

During the Phase I program, Triton Systems Inc. designed, developed the fabrication processes for, and tested a full-bore subscale prototype composite 81-mm type M252 mortar barrel, to demonstrate a 30% weight reduction and advantageous thermal managementin a full-sized Mortar barrel. The Army's mission for this lightweight high thermal performance mortar is based on the company level requirement of high firepower, extended range and un-mounted infantry transport. The barrel section was fabricated usingan aluminum matrix composite (AMC) structural jacket with a proprietary functionally graded metal ceramic matrix composite (MCMC) structure with a fully dense ceramic matrix composite liner. The structural jacket was fabricated from fiber-reinforcedaluminum that demonstrated excellent tensile strength at temperatures exceeding 1000¿F, a high tensile strength of 200 ksi, and a low density of 3.4 g/cc. The Phase I program demonstrated through analysis, design and testing, the feasibility of usingthese high specific strength composite materials to achieve the required weight reduction and thermal management under the high firing rates in an 81-mm mortarThe Advanced Composite Mortar developed on the Phase I program is expected to have a directimpact on the M252 mortar by reducing the overall weight and barrel soak temperature. Additional near term Army applications include the M224 mortar and other gun systems requiring light weight and high thermal energy dissipation. Additional gun systemsinclude large caliber barrels for tanks shipboard applications. Future systems applications include hydraulic actuators and pressure vessels for aerospace and commercial aircraft. Additional applications include bicycle frames and related components,automobile components such as drive shafts and propeller hub assemblies and airframe components of all kinds.