Abstract: A composite projectile barrel is disclosed comprising a polymer matrix composite outer shell that accommodates higher temperature loading. In one embodiment, the invention comprises an outer shell fabricated from carbon fibers and polyimide resin having a glass transition temperature greater than 500° F. In another embodiment, the resin mixture includes a plurality of sizes of aluminum particles, between about 0.1 microns and 10.0 microns in diameter and of approximately spherical shape, as a thermal conductive additive.

Abstract: To make a composite gun barrel, an inner barrel of a hard refractory material is formed and a composite jacket formed over it to increase the stiffness and strength while not adding excessive weight. The tows in the external jacket are varied in pitch along the barrel to decrease the amplitude of vibrations of a muzzle during firing. High thermal conductivity material is added to the resin to increase thermal conductivity. In the preferred embodiment, the thermally conductive material is chopped pitch-based carbon fibers and these are randomly oriented. A gas port is added and shielded from the composite material and a metal muzzle piece protects the composite from hot gases.

Abstract: To make a composite gun barrel, an inner barrel of a hard refractory material is formed and a composite jacket formed over it to increase the stiffness and strength while not adding excessive weight. The tows in the external jacket are varied in pitch along the barrel to decrease the amplitude of vibrations of a muzzle during firing. High thermal conductivity material is added to the resin to increase thermal conductivity. In the preferred embodiment, the thermally conductive material is chopped pitch-based carbon fibers and these are randomly oriented. A gas port is added and shielded from the composite material and a metal muzzle piece protects the composite from hot gases.