Accession Number:

ADA455868

Title:

The Effect of Slug Material on the Behavior of Small-Caliber Ammunition

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. Oct 2005-Apr 2006

Corporate Author:

ARMY RESEARCH LAB ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND MD

Personal Author(s):

• South, Joseph
• Yiournas, Aristedes
• Minnicino, Michael

Report Date:

2006-09-01

Pagination or Media Count:

22.0

Abstract:

The drive to produce environmentally friendly green ammunition has shifted focus to alternate materials for the lead cores in small-arms ammunition. Candidate materials such as tungsten-nylon and tungsten-tin have been evaluated as possible replacements. This research is aimed at evaluating the response of the candidate materials as well as the current M855 lead round. Experiments were conducted on sheathed and unsheathed slug samples to determine their compressive response. It was found that each material exhibited a unique mechanical response. Finite-element simulations were generated to evaluate the relative response of each material during launch in a weapon with a linear rifling profile. Details of the experimental testing, generation of the models, and results of the analyses, as well as potential ramifications to bullet behavior, will be presented.

Descriptors:

• *SMALL ARMS AMMUNITION
• MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
• FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
• NYLON
• ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
• REPLACEMENT
• TIN
• TUNGSTEN
• COMPRESSIVE PROPERTIES
• LEAD(METAL)
• RIFLING

Subject Categories:

• Ammunition and Explosives

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE