EP0748434B1 - Non-polluting firearm projectile - Google Patents

Abstract

A non-polluting firearm projectile including a core made of a mixture of at least two non-heavy materials, and a shell at least partially enclosing the core. The core consists of a mixture of a material selected from the group which includes plastics and non-heavy metals, and loaded with particles of a heavier material. The shell may be made of metal or plastic, e.g. polyethylene optionally loaded with iron particles.

Description

The invention relates to a projectile for a firearm. It applies to all calibers of handguns and infantry.

Conventional projectiles include a core made wholly or partly of lead and housed inside of a metallic envelope.

1) les résidus de l'amorce expulsés dans l'air;

2) la perte de plomb du noyau sur la trajectoire du projectile, due à l'échauffement et l'arrachement mécanique produit par les gas propulseurs, dans le canon;

3) la fragmentation du projectile dans la cible ou les protections du stand (piège à balles ou murs).

It is well known that sustained shooting in shooting ranges, even in the open air, produces an abnormal concentration of heavy metals (for example barium and lead) in the air and in the environment of these shooting areas. This concentration of heavy metals is harmful to health, in particular the health of monitors, and it also damages the ecological system. Such a situation results from the release of heavy metals during firing, which phenomenon has three origins:

1) residues of the primer expelled into the air;

2) the loss of lead from the nucleus on the trajectory of the projectile, due to the heating and the mechanical tearing produced by the propellants, in the barrel;

3) the fragmentation of the projectile in the target or the protections of the stand (bullet trap or walls).

Heavy metal free ammunition is marketed by several manufacturers. They allow reduce pollution by primer residue. However, this training ammunition does not reproduce no real shooting conditions because their mass insufficient to operate the weapon as with service ammunition, which is detrimental to the effectiveness of training.

WO-A-9200499 which forms the preamble of independent claim 1, is known a non-polluting projectile for a smooth-barreled firearm comprising a formed core a mixture of plastic and particles of metal. this nucleus is associated with a tail intended to stabilize the projectile during a shooting. In this known projectile, we are looking for a nucleus with a highest possible density and such a core cannot be used in a stabilization projectile by rotation because the projectile obtained would not present not the ballistic properties required to ensure effective training which reproduces the conditions of actual shooting.

The object of the invention is to provide a non-projectile pollutant for rifled barrel firearm, which does not contain no heavy metals, which reduces or eliminates the emission other metals in the shooting areas, and that reproduces the actual shooting conditions as with ammunition of classic service.

This object is achieved thanks to the invention by a projectile non-polluting for rifled barrel firearm, comprising a core made of a mixture of plastic and metal particles, in which the core is at least partially surrounded by an integral envelope to the nucleus so as to ensure the cohesion of the whole and allow the taking of scratches ensuring the stability of the projectile by rotation printed by the gun barrel scratches, and in which the nucleus contains a compatible percentage of metal charge with a minimum mass ensuring the functioning of tear.

The major advantage of the projectile according to the invention is that it constitutes a non-polluting training ammunition which keeps the weapon functioning normally and which keeps good ballistic properties compatible with standard loads, in particular maintaining a reversing pulse, ensuring thus an effective training. An additional advantage is that the projectile according to the invention can be manufactured using existing machinery.

The invention is set out in the following using the attached drawings.

Figure 1 shows a section in a projectile classic.

Figure 2 shows, in section, an example of mode execution of a projectile according to the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a conventional projectile includes a metal casing 1, made of brass by example, containing a core 2 made up of all or part of lead.

In a projectile according to the invention, on the other hand, an embodiment of which is represented in FIG. 2, the core 11 is made of a mixture, amalgam, alloy or other, of at least two materials, for example a material plastic or a light metal, charged with dust, grains or other, heavier material such as than iron. An envelope 12 completely surrounds or partially the core to ensure proper functioning in the barrel and sufficient cohesion of the projectile in target.

The envelope may be metallic (for example brass) and be joined to the nucleus by a known means any, for example by mechanical deformation, plating electrolytic or others. The envelope can also consist of charged organic matter or not to improve its mechanical properties, and secured to the nucleus by any known means, by example by assembly, spraying, soaking or others.

• le pourcentage de charge en métal doit être compatible avec une masse minimum assurant le fonctionnement des armes,
• la construction de l'enveloppe doit assurer la cohésion de l'ensemble et le bon fonctionnement lors de la phase de balistique intérieure (entre autres, prise des rayures assurant la rotation du projectile).

The construction of such a projectile must respect certain conditions:

• the percentage of metal charge must be compatible with a minimum mass ensuring the functioning of weapons,
• the construction of the envelope must ensure the cohesion of the assembly and the proper functioning during the interior ballistics phase (inter alia, taking of the scratches ensuring the rotation of the projectile).

Ir =

impulsion de recul

Vo =

vitesse à la bouche

m =

masse projectile

fc =

fonction de la charge (masse de poudre).

On the other hand, to ensure effective training, the normal functioning of weapons must be maintained. At first glance, the automatic or semi-automatic functioning of weapons depends on the maintenance of an impulse. Ir = Vo (m + fc) or

Ir =

reverse pulse

Vo =

mouth speed

m =

projectile mass

fc =

load function (mass of powder).

Construction of projectiles in accordance with the invention allows you to take these factors into account.

By way of example, in no way limiting, in a caliber 9 x 19 mm, a polyethylene core loaded with 50% volume (i.e. 80% by mass) of iron particles, placed in a brass envelope, gives a total mass of ± 5 g bullet, which ensures, when propelled at a correct and achievable speed, proper operation weapons provided for this caliber. This core could be easily made by extruding a bar cut into pieces, which are then struck in the envelope.

Another production method consists of injection plastic amalgam - iron directly in the envelope.

These examples are given without limitation for illustrate manufacturing methods compatible with current cartridge factory.

It is obvious that the invention is in no way limited to the examples and illustrations presented. Many modifications could be made, without going out of the scope of the invention: for example, the core and / or the envelope could consist of several parts assembled and secured in any way.

Claims (3)

1. Non-polluting projectile for a rifled gun firearm, comprising a core (11) consisting of a mixture of plastic material and metal particles, characterised in that the core (11) is at least partially surrounded by a casing (12) integrated with the core (11) so as to ensure cohesion of the assembly and to permit taking up grooves providing for the stability of the projectile by it being rotated by the action of the rifling of the firearm gun and in that the core (11) includes a percentage of metal charge compatible with a minimum mass ensuring the operation of the firearm.
2. Projectile as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the casing (12) consists of an organic substance, charged or otherwise, and integrated with the core by any known means.
3. Projectile as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the casing (12) is of metal and integrated with the core by any known means.

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