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US 6,174,494 B1Granted
Non-lead, environmentally safe projectiles and explosives containers
AssigneeLockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc.
InventorsRichard A. Lowden, Thomas M. McCoig, Joseph B. Dooley, Cyrus M. Smith
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Abstract
A solid object having controlled frangibility, such as a bullet or a container for explosives, is made by combining two different metals in proportions calculated to achieve a desired density, without using lead. A wetting material is deposited on the base constituent which is made of a relative dense, hard material. The wetting material enhances the wettability of the base constituent with the binder constituent, which is lighter and softer than the base constituent.
Claims36
A method of making a projectile consisting essentially of the steps of:
- combining a base constituent having a density greater than that of lead, a wetting constituent, and a lead-free binder constituent made of a metallic phase to form a blend;
- and
- consolidating the blend with a consolidation force sufficient to form a solid body of desired shape,
- the binder constituent having sufficient malleability and ductility to bind together with the base constituent and thereby form the solid body when subjected to the consolidation force.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.