Chromium Elimination and Cannon Life Extension

WP-201111

Objective

The objective of this project is to demonstrate and validate the explosive bonding process and rifling methodologies developed under SERDP project WP-1426 and to eliminate the use of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in the production of cannon barrels. Four 25 mm M242 explosively bonded Ta-10W barrels and one chrome plated barrel will be test fired at Yuma Proving Ground (YPG). The testing will be conducted using bullets consisting of aggressive hot 616W rounds and M791/M793 training rounds. The test objective is to determine life-cycle durability improvements of Ta-10W barrels compared to a chromium plated barrel using conventional and high temperature propellants.

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Technology Description

Under SERDP project WP-1426, several 25 mm Ta-10W barrels were developed. Benet Labs explosively bonded a full length Ta-10W refractory liner onto an inner diameter of a full-length M242 25 mm cannon tube and has also developed methodologies for rifling of the refractory liner. The barrel is plug-and-play with the existing production M242 barrel. The bonded barrel liner is welded to the bore of the tube, preventing liner movements.

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Benefits

This technology can increase wear life threefold, enable the use of high temperature propellants, and eliminate Cr(VI) in the manufacture of cannon barrels at Department of Defense (DoD) sites. Preliminary proof-of-principle test firing of a Ta-10W M242 barrel at YPG was stopped at 11,250 aggressively fired A/B cycle rounds. The barrel was only half worn-out when measured by chamber erosion. A chromium tube was baseline tested using the same aggressive A/B cycle testing and was condemned at 3,650 rounds. DoD-wide cost savings are estimated at $14 million resulting from the elimination of the chrome plating process and its inherent environmental and worker safety problems. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2014)

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Points of Contact

Principal Investigator

Mr. Frank Campo

U.S. Army Benet Laboratories

Phone: 518-266-4770

Program Manager

Weapons Systems and Platforms

SERDP and ESTCP

Document Types

  • Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
  • Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
  • Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
  • Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
  • Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
  • Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
  • Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
  • Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
  • Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.