Ceramic munitions projectile
AssigneeCoors Porcelain Company
InventorsBrian I. Dinkha, Paul B. Jasa, Brian Seegmiller, Alden C. Simmons
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Abstract
A ceramic munitions projectile, particularly useful for practice or target munitions is provided. The projectile is preferably made of zirconia which is densified by a pressureless sintering method. The projectile has sufficient toughness to withstand acceleration and torque created during projectile firing and trajectory.
Claims19
A munitions projectile comprising:
- a strong, tough, densified ceramic having a size and shape such that it can be fired from a gun, said ceramic comprising material selected from the group consisting of zirconia, zirconia-toughened alumina and SiC whisker-reinforced alumina.
A tough, densified munitions projectile comprising a ceramic having a tensile strength greater than about 250 MPa, a stress intensity factor greater than about 6 MNm.sup.1/2, a Weibull modulus greater than about 10, a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than about 7.5.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree.C., and a modulus of elasticity less than about 400 GPa.
A frangible, tough, densified ceramic munitions projectile comprising partially stabilized zirconia having a tensile strength greater than about 350 MPa, a stress intensity factor greater than about 12 MNm.sup.1/2, a Weibull modulus greater than about 18, a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than about 10.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree.C., and a modulus of Elasticity less than about 200 GPa.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.