High Density Composite Small Arms Ammunition

Lead-free, environmentally friendly ammunition will allow military training ranges to remain open. Lead was an ideal bullet material, due to its high density (11.3g/cm(3)) and formability (Tm = 327 degrees C), but is no longer acceptable due to health concerns. However, the development of high density, nontoxic ammunition rounds has been advanced by engineered polymeric resins. These resins have low densities, so fillers (powdered metals) have been incorporated into these polymeric binders. CeraNova proposes to mold ammunition using a ceramic carbide and other ceramics dispersed within polymeric resins. One ceramic carbide @ 15.7 g/cm(3), is more dense than lead (11.4g/cm(3)). A composite consisting of 63 vol% copper (8.29 g/cm(3)) and 37% polyetherimide (PEI) (1g/cm(3)) yielded a density of 6.0 g/cm(3). By replacing copper with carbides or other ceramics, at similar volume fractions, a density of 10.3g/cm(3) is possible. A 70% carbide/PEI composite will create a density of 11.3g/cm(3). Many ceramic carbides are hard, dense, inexpensive, and chemically inert. There are also many suitable polymer compositions. CeraNova will experiment upon a matrix of polymers and high density ceramics to develop low cost, high density, environmentally `green' ammunitions for .50 caliber, 7.62 mm rounds and nonmilitary applications.