Advanced Packaging Technology for Trident Missile Systems

Surface Treatment Technologies, Inc. (ST2) proposes the development of Electro-Spark Alloying (ESA) technology for the formation of ceramic coatings on current gun barrel steel and lightweight alternative barrel materials, such as titanium. ESA technologyinvolves the arc deposition of metal and ceramic coatings directly onto metal surfaces. The process forms a coating with a full metallurgical bond, forms no heat affected zone in the base alloy, creates a coating that is amorphous to nano-grained instructure, and exhibits wear and erosion properties far superior to conventional coatings of ceramics and composites of similar chemistries. In addition, the process permits the investigation of functionally gradient coatings for the end-use application.In the Phase I effort, ST2 will investigate both ceramic and refractory metal candidate coatings for conventional gun steel and titanium barrel materials. Unique to this approach will be the coating of a barrel blank, followed by a rotary forging processthat will maintain the structural integrity of the coating. This evaluation will include full mechanical and metallurgical analyses, as well as live-fire testing of rifled barrel components. Phase II will expand the potential coatings candidate options,and then focus on manufacturing scale-up requirements in anticipation of a Phase III transition.Lightweight gun barrels with extended life, yet using no toxic and hazardous plating materials for military, law enforcement, and commercial applications. Additional benefits will focus on the power tool industry, medical tools and implants, andengine/transmission markets.