I know that there are a number of new materials usinged in Guns such as Titianium (Ti) Scandium (Sc), as well as Aluminium(Al), Iron (Fe) and High Carbon Steel. Are any guns made using Tungsten (W)? Are there any guns with non Steel chambers or barrels? Anyone know specifically which alloys are used in various guns?
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One of the advantages of the first materials you cite are lightness.
Tungsten is a very dense and hard material, and would contribute to the weight of a firearm without much benefit. It is also very difficult to form and shape*. I do not know specifically, but would not expect tungsten to be used in firearms themselves. I am "correctable" on this point, however.
Powdered or granulated tungsten was used in certain experimental lead-free bullets to contribute to the weight (sectional density) of the projectiles, which were basically various other metals like zinc and tin, with the tungsten particles just "mixed in," as opposed to being alloyed with the zinc or tin (or other materials --including plastics).
The tunsten particles were kept "inside" the bullets so as to not damage the barrel's rifling.
There were also tungsten cores for many armor-piercing bullets.
Terry, 230RN
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* The process for making light bulb filaments has been pretty much nailed down, but it involves compressing powdered tungten and "sintering" it, where the resulting mass is heated almost to the point of melting so the particles more or less fuse together on their surfaces. From that point on it is difficult but doable to draw the thin wire from which the filaments are made.
Tungsten is a very dense and hard material, and would contribute to the weight of a firearm without much benefit. It is also very difficult to form and shape*. I do not know specifically, but would not expect tungsten to be used in firearms themselves. I am "correctable" on this point, however.
Powdered or granulated tungsten was used in certain experimental lead-free bullets to contribute to the weight (sectional density) of the projectiles, which were basically various other metals like zinc and tin, with the tungsten particles just "mixed in," as opposed to being alloyed with the zinc or tin (or other materials --including plastics).
The tunsten particles were kept "inside" the bullets so as to not damage the barrel's rifling.
There were also tungsten cores for many armor-piercing bullets.
Terry, 230RN
_______
* The process for making light bulb filaments has been pretty much nailed down, but it involves compressing powdered tungten and "sintering" it, where the resulting mass is heated almost to the point of melting so the particles more or less fuse together on their surfaces. From that point on it is difficult but doable to draw the thin wire from which the filaments are made.
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TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
Because of it's weight, Tungsten has been popular in full length guide rods for 1911's and other handguns for many years.
Lots of competitive shooters like to use a very heavy guide rod to put more weight out towards the muzzle, supposedly reducing muzzle flip.
Whether it actually helps or not is another story.
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_guide_rods_med_tung.asp
searcher451
Member
In the case of certain popular but erratic .22 caliber handguns, the metal in question is zinc -- also known as pot metal. 
gun addict
Member
what about ceremic tiles? I heard those are just a slight less hard than diamonds on the hardness scale, any chance we'll see a few of them made into barrels?
rbernie
Contributing Member
As I understand it, ceramic is very brittle and does not deal with shock terribly well. If true, that would make it a poor choice for a barrel.
Cannonball888
Member
It is not cast iron.
From Wikipedia:
Pot metal is a slang term that refers to alloys that consist of inexpensive, low-melting point metals used to make fast, inexpensive castings. There is no scientific metallurgical standard for pot metal; common metals in pot metal include zinc, lead, copper, tin, magnesium, aluminium, iron, and cadmium. The primary advantage of pot metal is that it is quick and easy to cast. Due to its low melting temperature no sophisticated foundry equipment is needed and specialized molds are not necessary. It is sometimes used to experiment with molds and ideas before using metals of higher quality. It is sometime referred to as white metal or die-cast zinc
So what exact are the requirement for a chamber and barrel. High Strength, yes.
Ductile Metal? (rule out ceramic due to brittleness)
Hardness?
Specific Heat? (To transfer heat away)
No metal fatigue? (probably why Aluminum is not commonly used)
What else?
Almost every gun I've ever heard of (with the exception on some .22s) has a steel barrel and chamber, why is this?
Ductile Metal? (rule out ceramic due to brittleness)
Hardness?
Specific Heat? (To transfer heat away)
No metal fatigue? (probably why Aluminum is not commonly used)
What else?
Almost every gun I've ever heard of (with the exception on some .22s) has a steel barrel and chamber, why is this?
WardenWolf
member
It needs to be significantly harder than the projectile it is going to shoot. Enough said.
Modern guns are increasingly using new alloys and materials traditionally not seen in firearms. This is most often seen in handguns, where size and weight is a major consideration. However, steel barrels are likely to remain the standard for a long time to come. Some of the more exotic materials react poorly when exposed to certain common tool materials and chemicals, making both construction and user maintenance problematic.
Modern guns are increasingly using new alloys and materials traditionally not seen in firearms. This is most often seen in handguns, where size and weight is a major consideration. However, steel barrels are likely to remain the standard for a long time to come. Some of the more exotic materials react poorly when exposed to certain common tool materials and chemicals, making both construction and user maintenance problematic.
Suicide*Ride
Member
Jim Keenan wrote-
Mr. Keenan, will you please list your references for the above statement. I've looked all over the web & couldn't find any information as to how or why pot metal got it's name.
Mr. Keenan, will you please list your references for the above statement. I've looked all over the web & couldn't find any information as to how or why pot metal got it's name.
MachIVshooter
Member
I think you mean tensile strength. Ductility (the ability to stretch without breaking) is a good characteristic for making wire, not dso desireable for guns.
Cost and weight will be a couple of the determining factors in what type of alloy is used. In the context of this thread, I hesitate to use the word metal, because the materials used in gunmaking are almost always going to be alloys. Many receivers and frames in high quality guns are made of aluminum alloy forgings and machinings, such as 6061, 6063 and 7075. But these high strength aluminum alloys are expensive. On the other end of the spectrum are firearms where cast alloys are used to keep cost down, like most autoloading .22 rifles.
What is used where depends on myriad factors.
JWF III
Member
I too would like to see references.
I deal with cast iron off and on in remodeling. Usually having to bust up a tub or radiators to remove in pieces. True cast iron is some tough stuff, pot metal is not. There is a definent diffrernce in strength.
Wyman
MachIVshooter
Member
Mr. Keenan is correct about the original definition. I can cite definitions up and down the board like this one from thefreedictionary.com:
The definition has shifted to primarily cover the cheap zinc/copper/lead alloys in common use today, since most modern pots are made of formed stainless steel. The origin of the term, however, remains.
The definition has shifted to primarily cover the cheap zinc/copper/lead alloys in common use today, since most modern pots are made of formed stainless steel. The origin of the term, however, remains.
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