Investigation of a Plastic Rotating Band Concept for the AGT Projectile

Plastic rotating bands for projectiles are of great interest because they are potentially less expensive and cause much less barrel wear than do metallic rotating bands. To date, a satisfactory plastic band configuration for high performance 20mm AGT ammunition has not been developed. A combination of plastic materials that are subject to stress cracking and unsatisfactory retention concepts make current plastic band configurations unacceptable for the AGT combat projectile. Promising new plastics combined with mechanical and chemical retention mechanisms that are enhanced by a comprehensive surface cleaning procedure for superior adhesion, are expected to result in an excellent plastic rotating band for AGT projectiles. The combinations of high strength plastics and high retention strength will make it possible to mold a unitary band, increase band driving pressure, and reduce band length to avoid the problems caused by twist increases in gain twist rifling. A baseline plastic band design concept featuring a high strength, stress crack resistant engineering plastic and a chemically bonded mechanical retention concept are described and recommended for evaluation.