BR102022000050A2 - COATED FIREARMS PROJECTILE, COATING AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A COATED FIREARMS PROJECTILE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to protective and lubricating coatings for firearm projectiles, comprising an epoxy resin, resin catalytic agent, graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene, and castor oil. Additionally, the present invention specifically, though by no means exclusively, proposes methods for manufacturing projectiles, and in particular, methods of applying a protective elubricating surface coating to firearm projectiles, which aims at reducing friction and projectile strength, minimizing lead deposition, saving time and material, reducing costs, providing improved expansion and ballistics characteristics, stabilizing projectile trajectory, increasing shooter accuracy, reducing risk of ricochet, and minimizing smoke generation , contributing to the reduction of environmental toxicity, giving greater sustainability to this activity, at an amateur or industrial level, resulting in a precise and low-cost projectile, with greater efficiency and quality in the result.
Additionally, the present invention relates to firearm projectiles and describes projectiles with a low coefficient of friction, coated with a graphite amalgam and polytetrafluoroethylene jacket.

Description

COATED FIREARMS PROJECTILE, COATING AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A COATED FIREARMS PROJECTILE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to compositions and protective coatings and lubricants for firearm projectiles.

[002] Additionally, the present invention specifically, though by no means exclusively, proposes methods for manufacturing coatings on projectiles, and in particular, methods of applying a protective and lubricating surface coating to firearm projectiles, which aims to reduce the friction and resistance of the projectile, minimizing lead deposition, saving time and material, reducing costs, providing improvement in the expansion and ballistic characteristics, stabilizing the trajectory of the projectile, increasing the accuracy of the shooter, reducing the risk of ricochet and minimizing the generation of smoke, contributing to the reduction of environmental toxicity, giving greater sustainability to this activity, at an amateur or industrial level, resulting in a precise and low-cost projectile, with greater efficiency and quality in the result.

[003] Additionally, the present invention proposes firearm projectiles and describes projectiles with a low coefficient of friction, coated with an amalgam jacket of graphite and polytetrafluoroethylene.

FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INVENTION AND STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

[004] From simple projectiles in the shape of an irregular metal sphere to cartridges manufactured with high standards of technology, ammunition has changed significantly over the centuries. Especially in the last century, attention has focused on improving accuracy and aiming to make firearms, in general, more accurate than ever.

[005] The first projectiles developed to be used in firearms were in the form of spheres, easy to manufacture, and were usually cast and molded by the owners of the weapons. These projectiles were preferably produced using lead as a material, or lead associated with some other material, forming an alloy, harder or softer, depending on the purpose for which it was intended.

[006] Thus, from the first reports on firearms, around 1400, until the appearance of smokeless powders, already at the end of the 19th century, lead consolidated itself as the predominant material in all types of weapons that the man managed to invent.

[007] Nowadays, lead remains the preferred material for the manufacture of projectiles used in firearms, in view of being a cheap and easy to obtain material, with a high specific weight and low melting point.

[008] A great advantage observed in the use of lead to manufacture projectiles is that it, being a softer and more malleable material, has a low melting point, so that it can be easily melted and then molded into the most varied shapes .

[009] Another great benefit, arising from its characteristic of softness and malleability, is allowing the lead projectile to plug the internal diameter of the barrel after firing, preventing high pressure gases from escaping through the edges of the projectile, thus guaranteeing its maximum propulsion.

[010] However, in the saga of obtaining better results in the ballistic performance of projectiles, in recent years studies and research have been carried out involving the analysis of the format and design of the projectiles, which could influence the behavior inside the barrel, in addition to better effects on the target.

[011] In the evolution of research and studies to obtain better results, an attempt was also made to solve problems arising from material characteristics, such as correct sealing of gunpowder gases and the reduction of friction with the barrel.

[012] In this way, as well as the shape and design of the projectiles, the material used to manufacture them has evolved, culminating in the modern lead alloy projectile, that is, lead hardened with antimony and/or tin, which contains all these elements in their evolution.

[013] It has long been recognized that projectiles are embedded by friction in the barrel of the firearm through which they are fired. In this way, when fired, the projectile will conform to the dimensions of the inner surface of the barrel.

[014] It is also known that small defects on the surface or even irregularities in the barrel increase these frictional forces and remove the microscopic metal particles from the projectile. This friction between the barrel and the lead projectile causes lead microparticles to deposit on the inner surface of the firearm barrel.

[015] Thus, with each shot of the firearm, these projectile microparticles burn with the inner surface of the barrel, where they are transferred both by the abrasive action and by the heat and pressure from the surface of the projectile to the surface of the barrel.

[016] In addition, frequent firing of the firearm causes the projectile to heat up to the point of softening, possibly reaching the melting point, in addition to heating the barrel of the firearm through which the projectile is fired.

[017] As a result, the barrel alloys become very hot and the projectiles become so hot that they begin to soften and melt as they pass through the barrel, heating it up. Thus, the friction between the barrel and the projectile causes the latter to melt on its surface, causing the accumulation of metal.

[018] As the accumulation of metal becomes more severe, the phenomenon known as “fouling” occurs. Fouling of the firearm barrel can occur due to the accumulation of copper, lead or plastic, depending on the material of the projectile. When the incrustation comes from the “lead” material, it is called “lead”.

[019] In this way, if we exceed the operational limits of lead projectiles, the phenomenon of "leading" of the barrel will occur, when its surface melts due to friction and is deposited inside the barrel. Such an occurrence has disastrous consequences for accuracy and affects the correct functioning of the weapon.

[020] "Bulling" is recognized as one of the biggest problems of uncoated projectiles, given that incrustation directly affects the firing of projectiles, reducing their accuracy and consistency.

[021] Today it is known that, even at a relatively low velocity, the friction between the projectile and the barrel can generate enough frictional heat to melt the surface of a lead projectile and cause it to lead, in addition to the production of lead gases .

[022] The metallic incrustation, in firearms barrels, has disastrous consequences for the accuracy of the shot and adversely affect the functioning of the weapon, irregularly changing the internal dimensions of the bore of the barrel of the weapon.

[023] Projectiles passing through these irregularities are altered by heat and pressure so that they can adjust to these irregularities, causing them to become irregular and unimpeded, and therefore unbalanced. This asymmetrical condition causes the projectile to rotate and oscillate irregularly during the flight from one shot to the next, and accuracy is diminished.

[024] The deposit of lead along the barrel of the weapon may also cover the grooves of the weapon, thus reducing the accuracy of the weapon, interfering with accuracy and impairing its ballistic operation when fired.

[025] In extreme cases, fouling can even prevent the projectile from passing through the barrel. Often, the blockage causes gases to build up behind the projectile, which can lead to the gun barrel exploding.

[026] Maintaining the cleanliness of the inside of the gun barrel and the absence of incrustation are important to maintain the accuracy of the firearm's firing. Therefore, pipe lead or encrustation must be removed to avoid excessive deposits. Typically, the more a gun is fired, the more dirt will have to be removed.

[027] In order to remove scale from the barrel, a solvent and a wire brush are usually used. However, in cases where the lead is excessive, removal requires soaking the pipe in a solvent for an extended period of time.

[028] Thus, cleaning a barrel requires disassembling the weapon, which can be time consuming and lead to improper reassembly.

[029] The problems and inconveniences caused by incrustation are such that, in order to avoid them, some weapon manufacturers have decided to manufacture weapons that do not accept bare lead projectiles, as this component deforms when the weapon is operating, damaging its profile or choking the functioning, in addition to sliding badly in the rapid barrel raying.

[030] In addition to the complications listed above, it has been recognized for some years that the use of lead projectiles in shooting centers, in closed environments, where there is a large presence of steam and lead particles, can create atmospheric toxicity. The costs involved in removing this pollution are substantial, as remediation requires that the environment be acid-washed or remediation agents applied throughout the environment.

[031] In an attempt to overcome the various harmful effects of lead, reported above, several proposals were created to minimize or, at least, eliminate the tendency of projectiles to deposit lead along the barrel of the firearm.

[032] One of the first solutions invented to reduce the negative effects provided by the lead projectile, was the production of lead-free projectiles, from other metals, their alloys and compounds, which were used as materials for the manufacture of projectiles, including nickel , copper, cobalt, tin, chromium, tungsten, among others.

[033] Such an undertaking, however, did not prove to be efficient. First, because projectiles manufactured in other types of metals could not achieve the same performance characteristics as lead projectiles. Second, because, like lead projectiles, most projectiles manufactured with other types of metal also proved to be potentially harmful to people and the environment.

[034] Another way found to avoid the problems listed above was the use of a projectile made from an alloy harder than lead. However, it was found that the harder projectiles did not always plug the barrel, causing the projectile to bounce around the barrel, leaving material behind. As a result of the lack of a plug in the projectile, hot and pressurized gases passed through it, melting the surface layer of the projectile, leaving deposits of material in the barrel of the weapon.

[035] Realizing that it would be difficult to obtain better ballistic performances with other types of metals or harder alloys, other inventors tried to coat lead ammunition projectiles with inert barriers, impermeable to the surface of the metal, in order to provide a barrier to dissolution and to corrosion.

[036] We can cite as examples the use of lubricants, greases, waxes, soaps, which for a long time were applied to projectiles and/or surface and orifices of firearms, achieving an excellent success rate with regard to the control of lead deposition along the barrel of the gun.

[037] However, at the same time that excellent results were obtained in this regard, on the other hand, the method made handling the projectile difficult, creating other incrustation problems, in view of the impossibility of controlling the thickness of the lubricant/grease/ wax on projectiles. Thus, if a projectile was coated with a thin amount, it could cause fouling and if it was coated with a thick layer, it could cause excessive burning.

[038] Also, the application of oil or grease lubricants on the surfaces of the projectiles presented problems in the transportation, storage and handling of ammunition due to the attraction of dust, dirt and other debris on the lubricated surface.

[039] Another problem detected with the use of lubricants is that, because they are highly sticky, they tend to collect and retain foreign materials, including sand and abrasive dust, which is especially harmful to the weapon, in view of the high potential for barrel wear .

[040] Also, a safety risk can be created with greases or oils in the barrel when these fluid lubricants are in front of a projectile fired as it travels through the barrel of the firearm. The resulting tremendous pressure effects cause pressure excursions that swell or burst the barrel causing the locking mechanism to explode.

[041] Still, many waxes used in the prior art, such as beeswax, suffer from the disadvantage of being too expensive or too difficult to apply to the firearm or ammunition.

[042] Thus, there remained the problem of finding suitable compositions to coat projectiles, without at the same time creating problems in the use of charging equipment.

[043] In view of the ineffectiveness of using lubricants, another technique was created in order to overcome the negative effects described above. The technique in question consists of externally coating projectiles with a harder material, which became known as jacketing or projectiles with a jacket/shirt.

[044] The jacketed projectiles were created to remedy the deficiencies of the lead projectile and take the development of ammunition to previously impossible levels.

[045] The jacketing technique, first thought, consists of externally coating the lead projectile with a harder material, in this case copper. Copper alloy plating was applied to the projectiles in order to prevent firearm fouling and lead deposition along its barrel.

[046] There were many benefits observed with the creation of this technique, where it can be seen that the use of the jacket prevents damage to the barrel of the weapon when the projectile is discharged.

[047] The advantages of this type of projectile is that jacketed projectiles offer less risk of choking, as well as the formation of lead encrustation internally, in the region of the chamber entrance.

[048] A jacketed projectile has better chances of success when used in high-powered ammunition, since without the speed and design limitations imposed on the lead alloy projectile, it can have its design elaborated in order to obtain better speed, aerodynamics and expansion, without losing precision. The thin copper alloy jacket or jacket protects the pure lead core and the projectile can be accelerated to speeds unreachable by lead alloy projectiles.

[049] A major advantage of the copper jacket is that this harder outer coating expands enough to plug the barrel while preventing soft lead from coming into contact with the hardened barrel.

[050] However, despite the great evolution in its ballistic characteristics, by helping to avoid barrel lead, the copper jacket is much more expensive than its non-jacketed counterpart. Furthermore, most home projectile makers do not have the skills to handle the equipment or machine to apply a metal jacket to a projectile.

[051] Thus, despite the enormous benefits, it was found that the projectile coated with copper is much more expensive than the lead projectile, as it has more stages in its manufacture, causing greater consumption of material and time. On the contrary, lead projectiles can be made by casting or pressing, in a simpler and cheaper production scale.

[052] Unfortunately, although the coated projectile is a great advance in the state of the art, it also had disadvantages, such as high cost and copper inlay.

[053] Verifying that the copper jacket would not be efficient in reducing the aforementioned problems, other types of softer metal jackets were tested, where the jacketed projectile continues to be composed of soft, pure lead, only having its extreme part protected by a thin layer of non-ferrous alloy ("shirt" or "jacket") which, having greater resistance and hardness than lead, protects the core, preventing deformation of the same in its transit through the barrel.

[054] However, despite the evolution and satisfactory results, the softer metallic coating proved to be ineffective in increasing the penetration of the core, as it is burned even before the projectile leaves the barrel of the weapon.

[055] Still, a multitude of operations are required until the jacket is formed, in addition to the multifunctional and expensive equipment needed to make projectiles with jackets in these processes, in addition to the fact that the final product has certain undesirable deficiencies.

[056] There is considerable variation in the thickness and concentricity of the jacket with the conventional projectile than is experienced with projectiles coated through tumbling done by the present method.

[057] Perhaps the lack of attention to this factor can be attributed to the inoperability or impracticality of known methods of reducing friction when applied to ammunition.

[058] There was also an attempt to coat the projectiles with molybdenum disulfide. Coating with molybdenum disulfide proved to be a huge evolution in relation to previous coatings, verifying that in lower working speed ranges, projectiles with this type of coating could be fired, without lead encrusting the gun barrels . However, when used in a higher velocity range, projectiles coated only with molybdenum disulfide cannot contain lead incrustation in the gun barrel.

[059] Several other types of coating were invented, such as coating with paint, enamel, plastic and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). However, none of the coatings was able to solve the problems of lead in the pipe in question.

[060] Coated firearm projectiles are already widely known in the prior art. With the evolution of the sector, improvements were developed in these coatings, even with new components, manufacturing methods, configurations and concepts.

[061] However, dealing with the prior state of the art, it is noteworthy that several coated firearm projectiles are notorious in the literature, as well as some patent documents, where it is possible to highlight the following documents that deal with the subject :

[062] Patent EP0010845B1 describes plastic-coated ammunition and manufacturing method.

[063] US patent 4,454,175 describes a method of application of lubricant coating on projectiles, where they are lubricated with molybdenum disulfide.

[064] Patent CH700584B1 describes firearm projectile.

[065] Patent US8393273B2, describes Projectiles, including lead-free projectiles, and associated methods.

[066] The US9254503B2 patent describes a projectile coated with enamel, a method for making a projectile coated with enamel.

[067] Although such techniques provide projectiles with objectives similar to those proposed in the present invention, the main differential of the present patent is the fact that the projectile coated with the amalgam proposed here, has characteristics hitherto not achieved by the patents mentioned herein, as it was A coating with a low coefficient of friction is obtained, which does not experience fouling of any type of metal or its alloy.

[068] As a result of this absence of encrustation, the coating reduces the damage caused to the ballistic characteristics of the projectile, resulting in an increase in the accuracy of the shooter.

[069] In this way, it becomes evident that the previous improvements proposed were not complete answers to all the problems that have the shooter.

[070] Thus, despite the various patents found in the state of the art, in addition to the researched literature, there is currently no technology on the market that could meet the need for a firearm projectile characterized by having a hard core, low weight , increased velocity, low friction and resistance, low lead deposition, with better expansion and ballistic characteristics of the projectile, having a stable trajectory, which increases the accuracy of the shooter, reduces the risk of ricochet, reduces the problem of environmental toxicity, and should be simple to produce and low cost.

[071] In fact, it is evident that the solutions proposed by previous inventions not only raised new problems that were more difficult to be solved, but also served to emphasize old problems that could not be solved.

[072] The shortcomings of known methods of producing projectiles for ammunition include the limitation of materials that can be used to form projectiles and the long manufacturing time.

[073] Therefore, there is a need in the prior art for an application to a standard lead projectile that allows the projectile to plug the barrel, thus preventing lead. The method must be able to be applied by both amateur projectile makers and specialized industries.

• a) Aumentar dureza do núcleo do projétil;
• b) Diminuir o peso do projétil;
• c) Reduzir atrito e resistência do projétil;
• d) Minimizar a deposição de chumbo;
• e) Reduzir a captação de partículas estranhas na superfície do projétil;
• f) Reduzir custos;
• g) Reduzir material;
• h) Reduzir perda de gases;
• i) Reduzir tempo de fabricação e aplicação do revestimento.

[074] It is important that this new method can result in greater efficiency of the projectile. The efficiency of a munition is understood here as the best balance between speed and accuracy. But the ideal is to have fast ammunition combined with good accuracy that is capable of:

• a) Increase hardness of the projectile core;
• b) Decrease the weight of the projectile;
• c) Reduce friction and resistance of the projectile;
• d) Minimize lead deposition;
• e) Reduce the capture of foreign particles on the surface of the projectile;
• f) Reduce costs;
• g) Reduce material;
• h) Reduce gas loss;
• i) Reduce manufacturing and coating application time.

[075] In particular, the firearm projectile must have a stable trajectory, which increases the accuracy of the shooter. In addition, the risk of ricochet must be reduced. It should be simple to produce and inexpensive. This ideal projectile will be achieved by a firearm projectile with the features of the claims object of the present invention.

• a) Resolve o problema dos resíduos de retrogás que ficam permeados nos dedos e unhas, que atrapalham o manuseio da arma pelo atirador;
• b) Ganho de aproveitamento em relação à velocidade e direção do projétil;
• c) Utilização de menor quantia de pólvora para obter mesma velocidade;
• d) O revestimento não sai do projétil;
• e) A utilização do grafite reduz em 10% (dez por cento) o valor do custo dos demais materiais;
• f) Possui como vantagem, em relação ao revestimento de politetrafluoretileno, menor consumo de material para fabricar o revestimento;
• g) O pó de grafite, junto aos 2% de lubrificante cria um retrojato que faz com que, em cada disparo, o equipamento melhore o seu desempenho;
• h) Não oferecer atrito;
• i) Proporcionar mínima perda de gases;
• j) Proporcionar mais velocidade com menos energia;
• k) O atirador não fica exposto ao fogo direto no chumbo;
• l) Minimizar ou eliminar a deposição de chumbo e outros metais ao longo do cano da arma de fogo;
• m) Reduzir a incidência de vapores tóxicos de chumbo na atmosfera de campos de tiro em ambientes fechados;
• n) Reduzir ou minimizar os prejuízos causados às características balísticas e à precisão dos projéteis.
• o) Resultar em um projétil preciso e de baixo custo.

[076] In order to circumvent all the problems mentioned above, among others, the present product was developed, object of the present patent, which consists of a projectile coated with the coating object of this invention, manufactured through the process described in the present invention. The advantages offered by the proposed invention are:

• a) It solves the problem of retrogas residues that are permeated in the fingers and nails, which hinder the handling of the weapon by the shooter;
• b) Exploitation gain in relation to the speed and direction of the projectile;
• c) Use of a smaller amount of gunpowder to obtain the same speed;
• d) The coating does not come off the projectile;
• e) The use of graphite reduces the cost of other materials by 10% (ten percent);
• f) It has the advantage, in relation to the coating of polytetrafluoroethylene, lower consumption of material to manufacture the coating;
• g) The graphite powder, together with the 2% lubricant, creates a back-jet that makes the equipment perform better with each shot;
• h) Do not offer friction;
• i) Provide minimal gas loss;
• j) Provide more speed with less energy;
• k) The shooter is not exposed to direct fire on the lead;
• l) Minimize or eliminate the deposition of lead and other metals along the barrel of the firearm;
• m) Reduce the incidence of toxic lead vapors in the atmosphere of indoor shooting ranges;
• n) Reduce or minimize the damage caused to the ballistic characteristics and precision of the projectiles.
• o) Result in an accurate and low-cost projectile.

[077] In this way, the present invention aims to overcome the problems mentioned above, by providing effectiveness in combating the barrel lead and, consequently, overcome the problems related to the limitations of the ballistic characteristics of the projectile.

[078] The attached drawings that accompany and integrate this report, detail the main characteristics of the projectile object of this invention.

[079] The difference between the projectile, coating and method, objects of the present invention, for the others is the fact that the projectile proposed here is manufactured in a simple and low cost way, has a proven low coefficient of friction and resistance, causing low lead deposition, improving the ballistic characteristics of the projectile, increasing the accuracy of the shooter, reducing the risk of ricochets and explosion, contributing to the reduction of environmental toxicity problems.

[080] In terms of efficiency, the present invention innovates by providing a coating application method that makes it possible to create a projectile with a low coefficient of friction.

[081] In terms of productivity, the present invention provides time savings in the activity of coating projectiles, allowing the projectile to be coated with only one process.

[082] Still, with regard to costs, the present invention makes it possible to reduce the cost of the coating to 10% (ten percent) compared to what it would cost if molybdenum disulfide were used, when using graphite as one of the dry lubricants from the amalgam that coats the projectile.

[083] The projectile, coating and method objects of the present invention, were properly tested in tests that have already exceeded 40 (forty) thousand shots, without the need to dismantle the weapon to clean the barrel, such results being extremely satisfactory, it is possible to confirm, in practice, the reduction of the projectile's coefficient of friction, attesting to the efficiency of the present invention.

SUMMARY/ OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[084] The present invention relates to protective coatings and lubricants for firearm projectiles, comprising an epoxy resin, resin catalyst agent, graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene, and castor oil.

[085] Additionally, the present invention proposes, specifically, although by no means exclusively, methods for manufacturing projectiles and, in particular, methods of applying a protective and lubricating surface coating to firearm projectiles, which aims to reduction of projectile friction and resistance, minimizing lead deposition, saving time and material, reducing costs, providing improvement in expansion and ballistic characteristics, stabilizing the trajectory of the projectile, increasing the accuracy of the shooter, reducing the risk of ricochet and minimizing the generation of smoke, contributing to the reduction of environmental toxicity, giving greater sustainability to this activity, at an amateur or industrial level, resulting in a precise and low-cost projectile, with greater efficiency and quality in the result.

[086] Additionally, the present invention relates to firearm projectiles and describes projectiles with a low coefficient of friction, coated with a graphite amalgam jacket and polytetrafluoroethylene

[087] Thus, it is an objective of the present invention to provide coated firearm projectiles with a low coefficient of friction.

[088] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide compositions and methods for applying a desired amount of a graphite and polytetrafluoroethylene composition as a coating for firearm projectiles.

[089] It is the ultimate goal of the invention to provide compositions and methods that, easily and at low cost, minimize or eliminate the frequent need for a cleaning process to remove metallic incrustations, incrustations of powdered carbon residues and corrosion in firearms .

[090] The invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of components shown in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of being embodied in other embodiments or practiced or carried out in various ways. Furthermore, it should be understood that the terminology and phraseology employed herein are for the purposes of description and illustration and are not to be considered limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[091] To obtain full and complete visualization of the object of the present invention, the figures are presented, which represent a first modality of the projectile already tested by the inventor, which references are made, as follows. The attached figures show some of the preferable ways of manufacturing the projectile of the present invention. These figures are merely schematic and their proportions and dimensions may not correspond to reality, since they only aim to describe the invention in a didactic way. In this way, the figures do not have a limiting character, beyond that defined by the claims further ahead.

• • A Fig. 01 representa uma vista em corte longitudinal de um cartucho1 no estado da técnica, composto por um estojo5, pólvora3, iniciador4 e um projétil2 desprovido de revestimento;
• • A Fig. 02 representa uma vista em corte longitudinal de um projétil2 desprovido de revestimento.
• • A FIG.03 representa uma vista em corte longitudinal de um projétil2 com o revestimentos aplicado, construído de acordo com uma concretização preferencial do objeto da presente invenção;
• • A Fig.04 representa uma vista em corte longitudinal de um cartucho7 fabricado conforme a presente invenção, composto por um estojo5, pólvora3, iniciador4 e um projétil2 com o revestimentos aplicado;
• • A FIG.05 representa um fluxograma que ilustra as etapas de revestimento da munição, conforme uma realização da invenção.

[092] An embodiment of the invention is hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• • Fig. 01 represents a longitudinal sectional view of a cartridge1 in the state of the art, composed of a case5, gunpowder3, primer4 and a projectile2 devoid of coating;
• • Fig. 02 represents a view in longitudinal section of a projectile2 devoid of coating.
• • FIG.03 represents a longitudinal sectional view of a projectile2 with the coatings applied, built according to a preferred embodiment of the object of the present invention;
• • Fig.04 represents a longitudinal sectional view of a cartridge7 manufactured according to the present invention, composed of a case5, gunpowder3, primer4 and a projectile2 with the applied coatings;
• • FIG.05 represents a flowchart illustrating the ammunition coating steps, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[093] Now it will be described in more detail below, with reference to the present preferred embodiment of ammunition manufactured according to the present invention, based on the examples of execution presented in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[094] In order to circumvent, in this sense, the inconveniences and problems mentioned above, the present invention proposes protective coatings and lubricants for firearm projectiles, comprising an epoxy resin, resin catalyst agent, graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene, and oil of castor.

[096] This coating, which will be applied to the firearm projectile, is composed of a low-friction amalgam of graphite and polytetrafluoretitlene. The amalgam enhances the bullet's penetration, giving it self-lubricating and friction-reducing properties as it enters and passes through the firearm's barrel.

[097] The coating will be applied to the surface of a projectile, completely encapsulating it, so that said coating will be able to minimize or eliminate the evolution and deposition of lead along the barrel and in the mechanisms of a firearm , when the projectile is fired.

[098] In one embodiment of the coating, the formulation and method of application are optimized for use with lead projectiles. However, the invented coating can be applied to projectiles manufactured with other lead alloys, other metals or non-metallic substrates.

[099] The coating to be applied to the projectile will then be composed of an amalgam formed by an epoxy resin, a catalytic agent of the resin, graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene and castor oil.

[100] Epoxy resin, also known by some as polyepoxide, is a thermoset polymer that does not soften with heat and is separated into two parts. One part is a type of plastic resin that, when mixed with a catalyzing (hardening) agent, starts its curing/stabilization process.

[101] The choice of epoxy resin is due to its easy application and, therefore, preferably available as an aqueous dispersant. Also contemplated are methods of application or manufacture that may eliminate the need for application via aqueous dispersion.

[102] Preferably, the epoxy resin comprises 6-7% of the total coating composition, corresponding to between 0.6 and 0.7 grams per kilogram of projectile to be coated.

[103] There are now several types of catalytic agents, the most common being polyamides, polyaminoamides, aliphatic amines, cycloaliphatic amines, aromatic amines, amine adducts, anhydrides, polymercaptans and polysulfides.

[104] Preferably, the catalyst comprises 6% of the total coating composition, corresponding to 0.6 grams per kilogram of projectile to be coated.

[105] Graphite may comprise 10% or less of the total content of the coating composition, with the balance of the composition preferably comprising the Polytetrafluoroethylene material.

[106] The powdered lubricant, graphite, was chosen to compose the coating since it is quickly and easily available, in addition to being cheap and abundant in Brazil.

[107] Preferably, graphite consists of 6-7% of the total coating composition, corresponding to between 0.6 and 0.7 grams per kilogram of projectile to be coated, with the remainder of the composition being polytetrafluoroethylene and the other components.

[108] A low-friction fluorocarbon that has proven particularly effective is polytetrafluoroethylene due to its ease of application as well as the strength of its bond to the projectile. It has been found that polytetrafluoroethylene is an excellent material for use with this invention as it has a low coefficient of friction, high thermal stability and is inert to attack by almost all chemicals.

[109] Polytetrafluoroethylene makes up about 3-4% of the weight of the coating, object of the present invention, corresponding to between 0.3 and 0.4 grams per kilogram of projectile to be coated.

[110] The coating includes a liquid lubricant component, castor oil. Castor oil (“Ricinus communis”) is of vegetable origin and has emollient, moisturizing properties and a high cleaning power.

[111] Castor oil will be added in liquid form and makes up about 2% (two percent) of the coating weight, corresponding to 0.2 grams per kilogram of projectile to be coated.

[112] Alternatively or additionally, the coating can include other lubricants known to those skilled in the art.

• a) Reduzir o coeficiente de atrito e resistência do projétil;
• b) Minimizar a deposição de chumbo;
• c) Reduzir a captação de partículas estranhas na superfície do projétil;
• d) Reduzir perda de gases;
• e) Minimizar ou eliminar a necessidade frequente de um processo de limpeza para remover incrustações metálicas, pó e corrosão em armas de fogo.

[113] The coating, object of the present invention, composed of all the materials mentioned above, will be applied to the firearm projectile, according to the method described below, with the following purposes:

• a) Reduce the coefficient of friction and resistance of the projectile;
• b) Minimize lead deposition;
• c) Reduce the capture of foreign particles on the surface of the projectile;
• d) Reduce gas loss;
• e) Minimize or eliminate the frequent need for a cleaning process to remove metallic scale, dust and corrosion on firearms.

[114] The coating proposed by the inventor has the advantage, in relation to coatings that are in the state of the art, a lower consumption of material for manufacture, given the efficiency of the innovative combination achieved by the materials detailed above.

[115] In addition, the coating has as a differential, its application to the projectiles through the drumming treatment, a method through which the projectiles are placed in a drumming equipment and soon after adding the coating components to be applied, according to the method object of this invention, detailed below.

[116] This process was chosen in order to reduce the finishing time and increase the standardization of the projectiles. In addition, drumming has the advantage of improving wear resistance and projectile life.

[117] One of the greatest advantages and differentials found in the coating proposed by the inventor is that it eliminates the need for a connecting element between the coating and the core of the projectile, thus dispensing with the treatment with phosphating.

[118] Still, the mixture of components discovered by the inventor also eliminates the need to use a corrosion inhibitor agent, given that the innovative coating invented has anticorrosive properties.

[119] The coating thus formed adheres strongly to the surface of the projectile, being very difficult to remove, presenting a polished and lubricated surface that is not affected by being pushed or fitted in the cartridge case.

[120] In summary, the coating does not wash off very easily or require any further processing to become effective. It has been proven that, after many shots, the interior of the firearm remains smooth and clean, not requiring continuous cleaning.

[121] It is important to note that the coating holds the projectile together on impact, while allowing the projectile to flatten or deform.

[122] Additionally, the present invention proposes, specifically, although by no means exclusively, methods for manufacturing projectiles and, in particular, a method of applying a protective and lubricating surface coating to firearm projectiles, as per flowchart of a method represented in Fig.05, which aims to reduce the friction and resistance of the projectile, minimizing the deposition of lead, saving time and material, reducing costs, providing improvement in the characteristics of expansion and ballistics, stabilizing the trajectory of the projectile, increasing the accuracy of the shooter, reducing the risk of ricochets and minimizing the generation of smoke, contributing to the reduction of environmental toxicity, giving greater sustainability to this activity, at an amateur or industrial level, resulting in a precise and low-cost projectile, with greater efficiency and quality in the result.

[123] The present invention relates to a method of applying a coating to a projectile. The coating substantially reduces the amount of fouling in the barrel when firing a large number of projectiles. The present method is applied to any projectiles made of lead or other soft alloys, in any size.

[124] In one embodiment of the coating application, the formulation and application process are optimized for use with lead. Lead is commonly used to mold projectiles, and the following embodiment will be framed in terms of lead projectile. However, the invented method applies to projectiles manufactured with other lead alloys, other metals or non-metallic substrates.

[125] The method created by the inventor has the advantage of not being limited by the size of the projectile to be coated. It can be applied to all calibers of projectiles. Furthermore, the invention does not affect the physical integrity of the projectile through adverse chemical interactions.

[126] It is also important to point out that the method, object of the present invention, does not require adhesive promoter (phosphatization) of the amalgam to the projectile. Also, in the present method, there is no need to degrease the projectile, another advantage obtained in relation to the state of the art of other coatings.

[127] The coating method described in the present invention is easy to apply, sure of success and takes a few minutes to apply.

[128] Fig. 05 is a flow diagram of a process for forming a coating on a projectile2, according to some embodiments.

[129] The coating is conveniently prepared by dissolving a polymer in an organic solvent, adding lubricants and a catalytic agent, coating a projectile, stabilizing the projectile, and grinding it at the end of the process.

[130] The improved lubricating qualities that the inventor obtained for the projectiles coated with the amalgam object of the present invention increase the accuracy of the shot and the internal surface of the barrel of the firearm remains free of encrustation or lead.

[131] As can be seen in Fig.01, a prior art cartridge1 is mainly composed of a cylindrical shaped case5, a projectile2, a propellant3 and a primer4. The propellant3 is typically gunpowder. The primer4 is a small cup of primary explosive that is fired by the firearm's firing pin. This causes an initial explosion that ignites the propellant3, which propels the projectile2. The projectile2 may contain a number of grooves, which help to reduce barrel fouling. The case5 keeps all the components together. As can be seen in Fig.03, the currently invented coating is applied to the entire projectile2.

[132] The preferred method will now be described as detailed in the following steps:

I- Place the projectile in the tumbler:

[133] The projectile, on which the coating will be applied, may be composed of any of the materials described herein and/or other suitable materials. Suitable metals include copper or copper alloys, lead or lead alloys, among other suitable materials that can be used in the projectile.

[134] The installed equipment will be intended to provide the following advantages:

[135] Lead and lead alloys are by far the most popular metals from which to cast projectiles. Lead is commonly used to mold projectiles, and the following embodiment will be framed in terms of lead projectile. However, other metals can be used for special situations, such as steel, bismuth, tungsten, copper, tellurium, nickel, brass and even depleted uranium.

[136] The preferred ammunition comprises a conventional lead alloy projectile and a dense coating inherent in the projectile. Referring now to Fig. 02, a projectile 2 formed of lead or lead alloy in conventional manner is illustrated.

[137] However, the invented method applies to projectiles manufactured with other lead alloys, other metals or non-metallic substrates. Thus, the present invention was designed to work with any projectile, whether pure metal, impure metal or alloys.

[138] In addition to the possibility of applying the coating to a variety of materials, the present invention can be applied to any projectile format.

[139] The invention has the advantage of not being limited by the size of the projectile. It can be applied to all calibers of projectiles.

[140] As can be seen in Fig.03, the coating currently invented can also be applied to the projectile2 with grooves, without any change in the results proposed by the present invention.

[141] To coat the projectile2 according to a preferred form of the present invention and referred to in Fig. 03, the projectile is formed in the traditional way. There is no need to degrease the projectile, or even chemically generate a phosphate coating adherent to the projectile, given that the coating object of the present invention generates, by itself, sufficient adhesion to the projectile.

[142] The projectiles will be coated through the drumming treatment, a process through which the projectiles are placed in a drumming equipment and soon after adding the coating components to be applied, according to the method object of this invention.

[143] This process was chosen in order to reduce the finishing time and increase the standardization of the projectiles. In addition, drumming has the advantage of improving wear resistance and projectile life.

[144] The drumming feature assists in the mechanical connection between the lead core and the jacket, resulting in a very uniform and adherent amalgam layer being deposited on the lead core, thus ensuring a more stabilized projectile.

II- Heat the projectiles:

[145] The projectiles, according to the material, size and format chosen, will be heated in the barreling equipment to a temperature of 70°C.

III- Homogenize the coating components:

[146] The projectile coating, composed of epoxy resin, graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene and lubricant, will initially be homogenized in a container.

[147] The coating will be prepared in a mixing vessel by first adding the initiating agent, ie the epoxy resin. The approximate measure of resin will be 0.7 grams per kilogram of projectile to be coated.

[148] The coating comprises the addition of two dry lubricants, graphite and polytetrafluoroethylene. The added volume of each component, respectively, will be about 0.7 grams and 0.35 grams per kilogram of projectile to be coated.

[149] Graphite is supplied in powder form, with particles of varying sizes, suitable for the purpose of the invention. The graphite will be mechanically mixed with the other components, with the aforementioned composition ranges, so that the subsequent application of the coating to the projectile results in a coating of uniform composition throughout the entire process, on the entire surface of the projectile. The graphite lubricant makes up about 7% by weight of the coating. Alternatively or additionally, the coating can include other lubricants known to those skilled in the art.

[150] The liquid lubricant chosen to be used in the coating is castor oil, which will make up about 2% of the total weight of the coating, approximately 0.15 to 0.20 grams per kg of projectile to be coated .

[151] The adhesive component of the epoxy alloy, the percentage of graphite, teflon and castor oil, will be diluted at an average of 2 (two) grams of alcohol per kilogram of material to be coated.

[152] The coating may be mixed in any suitable container. Preferably, the container has a lid to prevent the resin from drying out prematurely.

[153] It is important to note that castor oil and graphite will lubricate the projectiles, and no additional method is required to obtain such a lubrication characteristic.

IV- Add the already homogenized components:

[154] With the projectiles heated, according to the 2nd Stage, inside the drumming equipment, the components already previously externally homogenized, according to the 3rd Stage, will then be added, together with the projectiles, and the projectiles will be stirred so that the coating can be applied.

[155] The components added for homogenization, namely, epoxy resin, graphite, teflon and castor oil, will then be diluted to an average of 2 (two) grams of alcohol per kilogram of projectiles to be coated.

[156] Thus, the mixture will be added so that it is diluted with the projectiles. Heating will be carried out continuously, for approximately 5 (five) minutes at 70°C. Maintaining heating is necessary, as the heating will momentarily drop due to the ethanol diluent, in approximately 05 minutes at 70 °C, the time necessary for the diluent to evaporate and the mixture to be perfectly distributed.

V- Add catalyst agent:

[157] The inventor found that epoxy resin and catalytic agent are suitable for coating.

[158] The catalytic agent should have a sufficiently low thermal set point to dry and cure quickly at room temperature or temperatures slightly above ambient.

[159] After evaporation, the temperature of 70 ° C is checked, and this time the second component of the epoxy resin is added, that is, the catalyst, also duly diluted in the proportion of 2 (two) grams of alcohol per kilogram of material to be coated.

[160] The projectiles are properly agitated, evenly, by tumbling during contact with the coating, until uniformly coated.

[161] The speed of agitation of the projectiles is selected in order to provide a uniform impregnation of the coating in the projectiles and to minimize any deformation of the same.

[162] Importantly, the coating has a non-solid state at the time it is applied to the projectile.

VI- Maintain heating until solidification:

[163] The process continues in the 6th Step, where the projectiles are agitated, tumbled or mixed homogeneously with the coating until they are evenly coated, maintaining the heating, which can remain at 70°C, for 10 minutes, to melt and densify the coating, until it changes its state from non-solid to solid state.

[164] Thus, a thin film of the coating will be formed on the outer surface of the projectile, leaving a smooth surface after a single operation, as described above.

[165] It is important to note that graphite-based coating compositions applied by tumbling to lead projectiles or lead alloys must have a melting point not exceeding 306°C and preferably between 70°C and 90°C. That is, the melting point of the coating must be below the melting temperature of the lead or corresponding alloy projectile, which varies between 252°C and 327°C.

VII- Cure/stabilization:

[166] After the projectiles are properly coated, they are placed on a drying table. Drying can be done at room temperature in ambient humidity or in a controlled humidity environment. Drying can also be done at elevated temperature in ambient humidity or in a controlled humidity environment.

[167] Preferably, the projectiles are immediately transferred from the tumbler equipment to a substrate comprising a drying table that is non-reactive to the constituents of the projectile coating.

[168] This table may have a non-stick surface, or be coated with a non-stick barrier. While on the drying table, the projectiles are allowed to stand at ambient temperature and humidity in a ventilated area.

[169] This hardening/recovery step allows the treated projectiles to recover or restore much of the hardness that was lost during the casting of the projectiles.

[170] Preferably, coated projectiles are left to solidify for a period of about five (5) days, so that the metal alloy hardens and the epoxy components become fully cured/stabilized, before being subjected to the next step , which is the rectification step.

VIII- Rectification:

[171] After coating and curing, the process of rectification (sizing / “calibration”) of the projectile takes place, where the projectiles will be placed in their final measurements.

[172] This step involves forcing the projectiles through a projectile gauge. A projectile gauge is a press that forces molten projectile through a mold. By making this force, the mold ensures that the projectile is the proper caliber for the gun's barrel diameter.

[173] Fig.03 is a cross-sectional view of the projectile2 with the coatings applied. After the projectile is primed, it is ready to be loaded. Cartridge preparation1 involves seating a primer in a shell, loading propellant into the shell, and pressing the projectile into the shell. After this step, the process is complete.

[174] The method described above comprises a form of mechanical coating and the coating thus formed adheres very strongly to the surface of the projectile, is very difficult to remove, has a smooth and polished surface, and does not require cleaning after many shots.

[175] Thus, the present invention provides a method of applying a coating to a projectile. Coating provides a relatively inexpensive and reliable solution to the gun fouling problem.

[176] Furthermore, although the present discussion has been framed in terms of hobbyist manufacturers, the currently invented method can be easily scaled to a specialized industrial environment.

[177] In this way, the new method results in greater projectile efficiency. The efficiency of a munition is understood here as the best balance between speed and accuracy.

[178] Another important innovation, different from other coatings, is that the method, object of the present invention, does not require any kind of adhesion promoter (phosphatization) of the amalgam to the projectile, which consists of a step suppression, contributing to a reduction in costs as well as in the preparation time of the coated projectile.

[179] Additionally, the present invention relates to firearm projectiles and describes projectiles with a low coefficient of friction, coated with a coating composed of an epoxy resin, resin catalyst agent, graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene and castor oil, characterized by improving the expansion and ballistic characteristics of the projectile, having a stable trajectory, increasing the accuracy of the shooter, reducing the risk of ricochet, reducing the problem of environmental toxicity, being simple to produce and low cost.

[180] The present patent describes projectiles coated with the coating, object of the present invention, through the method object of the present invention. Several modalities are established. Figures 01 to 05 and the following text serve to provide a complete understanding of a specific embodiment of coated projectiles. Furthermore, various other embodiments may have configurations, components or procedures different from those described herein. A person skilled in the art will therefore understand that certain aspects of the embodiments shown in the Figures may not be necessary.

[181] Fig. 03 shows the coated projectile 2 in accordance with the present invention, including an underlying metallic projectile 2 substrate coated with a first tightly adhered overlying layer comprising the amalgam of graphite and polytetrafluoroethylene. The coating layer is applied directly to the underlying metal substrate using the coatings object of the present invention.

[182] FIG. 03 represents an enlarged view of a front section of a projectile2, according to one embodiment. The projectile2 includes a jacket, having a nose section, a generally cylindrical middle section, and a generally cylindrical tail section, with a substantially flat base and grooves3. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the projectile may have other shapes. The liner, formed by the coatings object of the present invention, will preferably be applied continuously

[183] Fig.04 shows a non-limiting example of a lead projectile2 coated with the amalgam prepared according to the present invention.

[184] On the surface of the projectile and encapsulating it completely, there is the polymeric coating, object of the present invention, of a specified composition, as described above and whose coating minimizes or eliminates the evolution and deposition of lead along the hole and in the mechanisms of a firearm, not shown, when the projectile is fired from the firearm.

[185] The coating thus formed adheres strongly to the surface of the projectile, being very difficult to remove, presenting a polished and lubricated surface that is not affected by being pushed or fitted in the cartridge case.

[186] In short, the coating does not wash off very easily or require any further processing to become effective. After many shots, the inside of the firearm remains smooth and clean, requiring no cleaning after many shots.

[187] In one embodiment, the coating object of the present invention is applied around the entire projectile making it effectively coated, according to the method object of the present invention. The lead core is thus completely covered with a uniform thickness of tumbled amalgam.

[188] Although there is an ideal desired thickness of the amalgam coating, this thickness varies with the use of the projectile, the caliber of the projectile, and its velocity. In an ideal embodiment, the shell thickness of the projectile is in the order of 0.06 mm (millimeters).

[189] The effects of the coated projectile, with the coating object of the present invention, through the application of the method of the present invention, are many.

[190] It is possible to highlight that the projectiles coated with the amalgam of the present invention have a smoother surface than the projectiles coated by other methods. Also, because less material is used, the projectiles have lower weight and higher speed.

[191] In addition, the use of graphite as a component of the coating allows the coated projectile to have a characteristic dark color, in view of the graphite powder being black in color. This black characteristic is verified when rubbing the projectile over a white paper, where it will leave the graphite mark, contained therein, on it. This, however, is not a deficiency of the invention, but a characteristic of it, that is, the lubrication through the deposit of small residues.

[192] It is also possible that the projectile can be manufactured without the need for an additional step for degreasing, given that it will be caused by the organic diluent, which will be ethanol, which in itself is a degreaser.

[193] In addition to not requiring an additional degreasing step, the coated projectile also does not need to go through an extra phosphotization step, given that the amalgam of the projectile itself will promote adhesion to the projectile.

[194] One of the advantages of a projectile coated with the amalgam of the present invention is the relatively low friction between the projectile and the gun barrel from which it is fired. This low metal-on-non-metal friction, between the projectile and the barrel, by itself already contributes to the reduction of incrustations and barrel lead.

[195] Additionally, the low friction enables higher projectile velocities and reduces heat buildup in the barrel during repeated firing of the weapon. Consequently, the gun barrel is less likely to sag or distort as a result of continuous gun firing.

[196] It is possible to confirm, in this way, that the projectile coated with the amalgam proposed here, has characteristics hitherto not achieved by the patents mentioned herein, since a coating with a low coefficient of friction was obtained, which does not experience encrustation of any kind. metal or its alloy.

[197] Thus, the present invention has the advantage of the fact that, when coating the projectile with the proposed amalgam, the projectiles do not experience incrustation of any type of metal or its alloy.

[198] Coated projectiles also have the advantage of leaving less dirt inside the gun barrel, keeping the firearm barrel cleaner, providing easier cleaning, reducing cleaning time compared to uncoated or coated projectiles with another type of material.

[199] It was also found that the coating applied to the projectile does not affect its physical integrity, through adverse chemical interactions, which contributes to extending the useful life of the projectile, as well as the gun barrel.

[200] In addition, it was discovered that the innovative coating obtained through the present invention is capable of imparting self-lubricating properties to projectiles and firearms. This self-lubricating property of the projectiles is due to the addition of graphite powder to 2% (two percent) of the liquid lubricant (castor oil), which creates a retrojet of gases, which enter the interior of the weapon. This retrogas lubricates the gun and means that with each shot fired there is a significant improvement in the equipment used, which does not happen with other lubricants.

[201] Regarding the expansion and ballistic characteristics of the coated projectile, several points of improvement were found.

[202] Firstly, it is verified that, when solving the problem of the incrustation of the barrels of the weapons, a great improvement was discovered, that is, the possibility of using light projectiles, instead of heavier and slower projectiles, with its problem concomitant recoil.

[203] Thus, making the projectiles lighter, the speed of the projectiles will also be increased and consequently the trajectory will be flatter which will provide greater accuracy of the shot.

[204] Tests carried out by the inventor prove that when comparing the projectiles coated with the amalgam of the present invention with other projectiles coated in the current state of the art, the inventor found that it was possible to increase the “standard” velocity by up to 10%.

[205] Thus, the improved lubricating qualities, which the inventor obtained for the projectiles coated with the amalgam object of the present invention, increase the accuracy of the shot and the internal surface of the barrel of the firearm remains free of encrustation or lead. As a result of this absence of encrustation, the coating provides a reduction in the damage caused to the ballistic characteristics of the projectile, causing an increase in the accuracy of the shooter. In addition, it was found that the risk of ricochet was considerably reduced when using the projectile object of the present invention.

[206] Still, it is possible to verify that the coated projectile has the enormous advantage of minimizing the generation of smoke, considering that the coated projectile is completely involved and isolated from contact with the fire that would lead to combustion of the metallic microparticles that normally detach of conventional projectiles. In this way, the coated projectile also has the advantage of minimizing the deposition of lead in the barrel and the generation of smoke that obscure visibility and prevent the occurrence of aiming in the firing area.

[207] In addition, the coated projectile solves the problem of retrogas residues that permeate the fingers and nails, which hinder the shooter's handling of the weapon.

[208] In addition to all the advantages presented above, the coated projectile generates enormous contributions to the environment, in view of being able to minimize the distribution of lead in the atmosphere, reducing the environmental impacts of metals in the environment.

[209] Still, with regard to costs, the present invention makes it possible to reduce the cost of the coating to 10% (ten percent) by using graphite as one of the dry lubricants of the amalgam that coats the projectile, resulting in a projectile accurate and low-cost projectile whose performance characteristics are equal to or superior to conventionally manufactured coated projectiles.

[210] The difference between the projectile object of the present invention and the others is the fact that the projectile proposed here is manufactured in a simple way and at a low cost, demonstrably has a low coefficient of friction and resistance, causing low lead deposition, improving the ballistic characteristics of the projectile, increasing the accuracy of the shooter, reducing the risk of ricochets and explosion, contributing to the reduction of environmental toxicity problems.

[211] In this way, the coated projectile, object of the present invention, manages to overcome all the problems mentioned above, by providing effectiveness in combating the barrel lead and, consequently, overcome the problems related to the limitations of the ballistic characteristics of the projectile.

[212] Thus, the present invention innovates by providing a coating application method, with low consumption of material and time in the coating activity, allowing the projectile to be coated with only one process, enabling the creation of a projectile with low coefficient of friction.

[213] In addition, various other modalities may have different configurations, components, or procedures than those described herein. A person skilled in the art will therefore understand that certain aspects shown in the Figures may not be necessary.

[214] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the steps shown in Fig.05 can be altered in a variety of ways. For example, the order of steps can be rearranged; substeps can be executed in parallel; steps shown can be omitted or other steps can be added, etc.

[215] From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments have been described here for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications can be made to these embodiments. Furthermore, while advantages associated with certain embodiments have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages. Accordingly, the disclosure may include other embodiments not shown or described herein.

[216] Accordingly, it should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the embodiments described above (and/or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with one another. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. While the dimensions, amounts and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the invention, they are by no means limiting, but are exemplary embodiments.

[217] Many other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the above description. The scope of the invention must therefore be determined with reference to the appended claims together with the full scope of equivalents to which those claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms "first", "second" and "third" are used only as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on your objects.

[218] The present methods may involve any or all of the steps or conditions discussed above in various combinations, as applicable. For example, it will be readily apparent to the person skilled in the art that, in some of the disclosed methods, certain steps can be omitted or additional steps performed without changing the feasibility of the methods.

Claims (75)

Protective and lubricating coating, to be applied to firearm projectiles, characterized in that it comprises at least one amalgam formed by epoxy resin, resin catalytic agent, graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene, and castor oil. Coating, according to claim 1, characterized in that it has the function of increasing the penetration of the projectile, giving it self-lubricating and friction-reducing properties as it enters and passes through the barrel of the firearm. Coating, according to claim 1, characterized in that it is applied to the surface of a projectile, completely encapsulating it, so that said coating can be able to minimize or eliminate the evolution and deposition of lead along the barrel and in the mechanisms of a firearm, when the projectile is fired. Coating, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it can be applied to projectiles manufactured with other lead alloys, other metals or non-metallic substrates. Coating, according to claim 1, characterized in that in one embodiment of the coating, the formulation and method of application can be optimized for use with lead projectiles. Epoxy resin, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it is a thermosetting polymer that does not soften with heat. Epoxy resin, according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that its plastic part, when mixed with a catalyst (hardening) agent, initiates the curing/stabilization process of the coating. Epoxy resin, according to claim 6, characterized in that it preferably consists of 6-7% of the total coating composition, corresponding to between 0.6 and 0.7 grams per kilogram of projectile to be coated. Resin catalyst agent, according to claim 1, characterized in that it is preferably polyamide, polyaminoamide, aliphatic amine, cycloaliphatic amine, aromatic amine, amine adduct, anhydrous, polymercaptan or polysulfide. Resin catalyst agent, according to claim 9, characterized in that it consists of 6% of the total coating composition, corresponding to 0.6 grams per kilogram of projectile to be coated. Graphite, according to claim 1, characterized in that, in one embodiment of the present invention, it comprises 10% or less of the total content of the coating composition, with the balance of the composition. Graphite, according to claim 11, characterized in that it preferably consists of 6-7% of the total coating composition, corresponding to between 0.6 and 0.7 grams per kilogram of projectile to be coated. Polytetrafluoroethylene, according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of about 3-4% of the weight of the coating, object of the present invention, corresponding between 0.3 to 0.4 grams per kilogram of projectile to be coated. Castor oil, according to claim 1, characterized in that it is added to the coating in liquid form and makes up about 2% (two percent) of the coating weight, corresponding to 0.2 grams per kilogram of projectile to be coated. Coating according to claim 1, characterized in that, alternatively or additionally, it may include other lubricants known to those skilled in the art. Coating, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it reduces the coefficient of friction and resistance of the projectile. Coating, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it minimizes lead deposition. Coating, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it reduces the capture of foreign particles on the surface of the projectile. Coating, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it reduces gas loss. Coating, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it minimizes or eliminates the frequent need for a cleaning process to remove metallic incrustations, dust and corrosion in firearms. Coating, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it has the advantage of lower consumption of material for manufacture, given the efficiency of the innovative combination achieved by its components. Coating, according to claim 1, characterized in that it dispenses with the need for a connecting element between the coating and the core of the projectile, thus dispensing with phosphating treatment. Coating, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the mixture of its components eliminates the need to use a corrosion inhibitor agent, considering that the innovative coating invented has anti-corrosive properties. Coating, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it adheres strongly to the surface of the projectile, being very difficult to remove, presenting a polished and lubricated surface that is not affected when it is pushed or fitted in the cartridge case. Coating, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it is not easily eliminated nor does it require any additional processing to become effective. Coating, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that, after many shots, the interior of the firearm remains smooth and clean, not requiring continuous cleaning. Coating, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it substantially reduces the amount of fouling in the barrel, when firing a large number of projectiles. Method of applying a protective and lubricating surface coating on firearm projectiles, using the coating defined in claim 1, characterized in that it aims to reduce friction and resistance of the projectile, minimizing lead deposition, saving time and material , reducing costs, providing improvement in expansion and ballistic characteristics, stabilizing the trajectory of the projectile, increasing the accuracy of the shooter, reducing the risk of ricochet and minimizing the generation of smoke, contributing to the reduction of environmental toxicity, giving greater sustainability to this activity, at an amateur or industrial level, resulting in a precise and low-cost projectile, with greater efficiency and quality in the result. Method of applying a protective and lubricating surface coating on firearm projectiles, according to claim 28, characterized in that it is applied to any lead alloy projectiles or other soft alloys, in any size. Method of applying a protective and lubricating surface coating on firearm projectiles, according to claim 28, characterized in that in one embodiment of the coating application, the formulation and application process are optimized for use with lead . Method of applying a protective and lubricating surface coating on firearm projectiles, according to claim 28, characterized in that it is applied to projectiles manufactured with other lead alloys, other metals or non-metallic substrates. Method of applying a protective and lubricating surface coating on firearm projectiles, according to claim 28, characterized in that it has the advantage of not being limited by the size of the projectile to be coated, and can be applied to all projectile calibers. Method of applying a protective and lubricating surface coating on firearm projectiles, according to claim 28, characterized by the fact that it does not affect the physical integrity of the projectile through adverse chemical interactions. Method of applying a protective and lubricating surface coating on firearm projectiles, according to claim 28, characterized in that it does not require adhesion promoter (phosphatization) of the Coating to the projectile. Method of applying a protective and lubricating surface coating on firearm projectiles, according to claim 28, characterized in that it is not necessary to degrease the projectile for application of the Coating. Method of applying a protective and lubricating surface coating on firearm projectiles, according to claim 28, characterized in that it comprises the steps of placing the projectile in the tumbler, heating the projectiles, homogenizing the components of the coating defined in the Claims 1 to 27, Add the already homogenized components, Add catalytic agent, Maintain heating until solidification, Curing/stabilization, Rectification. Method, according to claim 36, characterized by the fact that the projectiles are placed in a drumming equipment and soon after adding the coating components to be applied. Method, according to claim 37, characterized by the fact that the barreling process reduces the finishing time and increases the standardization of the projectiles. Method, according to claim 37, characterized by the fact that the barreling process has the advantage of improving wear resistance and projectile life. Method, according to claim 37, characterized by the fact that the drumming process assists in the mechanical connection between the lead core and the jacket, resulting in a very uniform and adherent amalgam layer, being deposited on the lead core, thus ensuring a more stabilized projectile. Method, according to claim 36, characterized by the fact that the projectiles, according to the chosen material, size and format, are heated in the drumming equipment to a temperature of 70°C. Method, according to claim 36, characterized by the fact that the Coating components are homogenized in a container. Method, according to claim 42, characterized by the fact that the Coating components are homogenized in a suitable container, preferably in a container with a lid, to prevent the resin from drying out prematurely. Method, according to claim 42, characterized by the fact that the homogenization of the coating components starts first with the addition of epoxy resin. Method, according to claim 42, characterized by the fact that after adding the epoxy resin, graphite and polytetrafluoroethylene are added. Method, according to claim 36, characterized by the fact that, with the projectiles heated, according to Stage II, inside the drumming equipment, the components already previously homozenized externally, according to Stage III, are added, together with the projectiles. Method, according to claim 46, characterized by the fact that, after adding the homogenized components, the projectiles are shaken so that the coating can be applied. Method, according to claim 46, characterized by the fact that the components added for homogenization, namely, epoxy resin, graphite and polytetrafluoroethylene, are diluted to an average of 2 (two) grams of alcohol per kilogram of projectiles to be coated. Method, according to claim 46, characterized by the fact that heating is carried out continuously, for approximately 5 (five) minutes at 70°C. Method, according to claim 36, characterized by the fact that after evaporation and checking the temperature of 70 ° C, the second component of the epoxy resin is added, that is, the catalyst agent, duly diluted in the proportion of 2 (two) grams of alcohol per kilogram of material to be coated. Method, according to claim 50, characterized by the fact that after adding the catalyst agent, the projectiles are properly stirred, homogeneously, by tumbling during contact with the coating, until they are evenly coated. Method, according to claim 50, characterized in that the speed of agitation of the projectiles is selected in order to provide a uniform impregnation of the coating on the projectiles and minimize any deformation thereof. Method, according to claim 50, characterized in that the speed of agitation of the projectiles is selected in order to provide a uniform impregnation of the coating on the projectiles and minimize any deformation thereof. Method, according to claim 36, characterized by the fact that the process continues in Stage VI, where the projectiles are stirred, dropped or mixed homogeneously with the coating until they are uniformly coated, maintaining the heating, which can remain at 70° C for 10 minutes to melt and densify the coating until it changes from non-solid to solid state. Method, according to claim 54, characterized in that a thin coating film is formed on the external surface of the projectile, leaving a smooth surface after a single operation. Method, according to claim 54, characterized in that the coating composition applied by tumbling to lead projectiles or lead alloys must have a melting point not exceeding 306°C and preferably between 70°C and 90° C, that is, the melting point of the coating must be below the melting temperature of the lead or corresponding alloy projectile, which varies between 252°C and 327°C. Method, according to claim 54, characterized by the fact that, after the projectiles are properly coated, they are immediately transferred from the drumming equipment to a substrate comprising a drying table that is not reactive for the constituents of the projectile coating. Method, according to claim 36, characterized in that, after the projectiles are properly coated, they are immediately transferred from the drumming equipment to a substrate comprising a non-reactive drying table for the constituents of the projectile coating, for curing/stabilization of the projectiles. Method, according to claim 58, characterized by the fact that the coated projectiles are left to solidify for a period of about 5 (five) days, so that the metallic alloy hardens and the epoxy components become completely cured/stabilized, before being submitted to the rectification step. Method, according to claim 36, characterized by the fact that after coating and curing, the projectile rectification process (sizing/ "calibration") takes place, where the projectiles will be placed in their final measurements. Method, according to claim 36, characterized by the fact that it can be easily scaled to a specialized industrial environment. Method, according to claim 36, characterized by the fact that it does not require any kind of adhesion promoter (phosphatization) of the coating to the projectile, which consists of a step suppression, contributing to a reduction in costs as well as in the preparation time of the coated projectile. Firearm projectile with low coefficient of friction, characterized by the fact that it is coated with the coating object of the present invention, according to claims 1 to 61. Projectile, according to claim 63, characterized by improving the expansion and ballistic characteristics of the projectile, having a stable trajectory, increasing the accuracy of the shooter, reducing the risk of ricochet, reducing the problem of environmental toxicity, being simple to produce and with low cost. Projectile according to claim 63, characterized in that it is produced by the process as defined in any one of claims 40 to 60. Projectile, according to claim 63, characterized by the fact that its lubricating characteristics are improved, providing greater accuracy of the shot and the internal surface of the barrel of the firearm remains free of incrustations or lead. Projectile, according to claim 63, characterized in that, in some embodiments, the external surface of the projectile can have different shapes. Projectile, according to claim 63, characterized in that the jacket, formed by the coating object of the present invention, is preferably applied continuously. Projectile, according to claim 63, characterized in that, in one embodiment, its coating is applied around the entire projectile, making it effectively coated, according to the method object of the present invention. Projectile, according to claim 63, characterized in that, in one embodiment, the thickness of the projectile coating is in the order of 0.06 mm (millimeters). Projectile, according to claim 63, characterized in that projectiles coated with the coating of the present invention have a smoother surface, less weight and greater speed than projectiles coated by other methods. Projectile, according to claim 63, characterized in that the coated projectiles lubricate the barrel of the weapon through the deposit of small residues of the coating. Projectile, according to claim 63, characterized by the fact that it has the advantage of causing low friction between the projectile and the barrel of the weapon from which it is fired, contributing to the reduction of incrustations, barrel plumbing, in addition to allowing the projectile to reach higher speeds. Projectile, according to claim 63, characterized by the fact that it does not experience incrustation of any type of metal or its alloy. Projectile, according to claim 63, characterized in that it leaves less dirt inside the gun barrel, keeping the firearm barrel cleaner, providing easier cleaning, reducing cleaning time compared to the uncoated projectile or coated with another type of material.

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