Gun barrel holds up under extreme heat.

AuthorBeidel, Eric
PositionDefense Technology Newswire - Brief article

* In the heat of battle, machine gun barrels firing repeated rounds can become so hot that they begin to melt Soldiers and marines carry extras just in case.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

They may not need to if Texas State University researchers can prove that a ceramic lining will prolong the life of barrels.

Intense heat can warp and bend normal barrels, affecting accuracy and requiring soldiers to take 10 seconds or so to switch them out--not a fun task to perform in the midst of a firefight.

"Ten seconds seems like an eternity" on the battlefield, said Clois E. "Bert" Powell, a Texas State University chemistry professor and lead researcher on the project, which was commissioned by the Marine Corps.

Researchers are using a combination of silicon and nitrogen called silazane, which is heated up to more than 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit to create...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT