Plastic type(s) used in m16 rifles?

[maplemaniac101]

Hello everyone, kinda new to this forum.

Just 1 question that Google cannot answer me, what grade of plastic is used to produce the forward handguard and buttstock of the m16 and AR-15 rifles?

Any response would be seriously appreciated thanks

 

[mortablunt]

My first guess would be classified. My second guess would be a hard injection mold plastic, although I heard that the stock uses fibreglass.

 

[Sam1911]

From Wiki: "Original M16 stocks were made from fiberglass-impregnated resin; the newer stocks were engineered from DuPont Zytel glass-filled thermoset polymers."

 

[Panzercat]

Keltec uses a glass fiber reinforced polymer for their rifles. The only thing I can find after a quick glance for M-16s is "composite plastics and polymer materials" ...whcih could be be damn near anything, but sounds similar.

[looks at Sam's post. Very similar, it sounds like.]

 

[Sam1911]

Here's the Wiki article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M16_rifle The mention of the stock materials is under the "M16A2" heading.

Here's their listing for Zytel: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zytel

Notice how many different formulas and characteristics it can have. S&W M&P autos are specifically mentioned.