Abstract: In order to provide an economical method for producing a weapon barrel, in which a considerable plasticisation of the barrel inner wall and thus of the twist profile is avoided when armour-piercing ammunition is shot, in particular in the case of an intense firing sequence, it is proposed not to introduce the twist profile of the weapon barrel into a barrel blank, the material of which has its end strength already as a result of hardening and tempering, but has a lower strength level (approximately 800-1000 MPa). Only once the twist profile has been formed by extrusion or hammering is the steel hardened and tempered to a predefined strength value >1000 MPa, and is the barrel blank that is provided with the twist profile mechanically processed further.

Abstract: In order to provide an economical method for producing a weapon barrel, in which a considerable plasticisation of the barrel inner wall and thus of the twist profile is avoided when armour-piercing ammunition is shot, in particular in the case of an intense firing sequence, it is proposed not to introduce the twist profile of the weapon barrel into a barrel blank, the material of which has its end strength already as a result of hardening and tempering, but has a lower strength level (approximately 800-1000 MPa). Only once the twist profile has been formed by extrusion or hammering is the steel hardened and tempered to a predefined strength value >1000 MPa, and is the barrel blank that is provided with the twist profile mechanically processed further.

Abstract: A thermal insulation jacket for a gun barrel, especially a cannon barrel, where the thermal insulation jacket includes a metal jacket that surrounds the gun barrel. In order to prevent uneven heating of the surface of the gun barrel within the thermal insulation jacket, an additional area that is especially effective at reflecting thermal radiation is provided on the inner surface of the metal jacket that lies opposite the underside of the gun barrel, so that when the gun barrel heats, the temperature differences between the upper side and the underside of the gun barrel are at least partially compensated. For this purpose, a reflective film is provided as the area that is a good reflector of thermal radiation. This reflective film is adhesively attached to the metal jacket.

Abstract: A thermal insulation jacket for a gun barrel, especially a cannon barrel, where the thermal insulation jacket includes a metal jacket that surrounds the gun barrel. In order to prevent uneven heating of the surface of the gun barrel within the thermal insulation jacket, an additional area that is especially effective at reflecting thermal radiation is provided on the inner surface of the metal jacket that lies opposite the underside of the gun barrel, so that when the gun barrel heats, the temperature differences between the upper side and the underside of the gun barrel are at least partially compensated. For this purpose, a reflective film is provided as the area that is a good reflector of thermal radiation. This reflective film is adhesively attached to the metal jacket.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring wear on the internal surfaces (12) of barrels (1), in particular weapon barrels. For a very precise determination of the wear on the internal surfaces (12) of barrels (1), a non-contacting scanning of the internal surface (12) of the respective barrel (1) to be checked is carried out with a light-spot triangulation sensor (6), to determine the respective distance between the internal surface (12) and the barrel axis (7) for selected sensor positions. The contour of the internal surface (12) of the respective barrel (1) is then determined from the detected distance changes. It has proven advantageous if the measured distance values are displayed on a monitor (23) in the form of a C-image, wherein different distance ranges are characterized with different colors, so that faulty surface areas can immediately be recognized optically.

Abstract: A weapon barrel includes a hard chromium layer provided on an inner barrel surface. The hard chromium layer contains at least 500 fissures/cm in a cross-sectional plane.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring wear on the internal surfaces (12) of barrels (1), in particular weapon barrels. For a very precise determination of the wear on the internal surfaces (12) of barrels (1), a non-contacting scanning of the internal surface (12) of the respective barrel (1) to be checked is carried out with a light-spot triangulation sensor (6), to determine the respective distance between the internal surface (12) and the barrel axis (7) for selected sensor positions. The contour of the internal surface (12) of the respective barrel (1) is then determined from the detected distance changes. It has proven advantageous if the measured distance values are displayed on a monitor (23) in the form of a C-image, wherein different distance ranges are characterized with different colors, so that faulty surface areas can immediately be recognized optically.

Abstract: A method of coating a metal surface, particularly an inner surface of a gun barrel, with a chromium layer, includes the following steps: electrolytically precipitating on the metal surface a plurality of partial chromium layers in a superposed relationship by electric current pulses equaling the number of the partial chromium layers; and selecting the duration of each pulse such that a crystallite growth of individual partial chromium layers is stopped prior to a natural termination thereof for obtaining a globular polytropic structure of the entire chromium layer.

Abstract: A method of providing an inner surface of a weapon barrel with a hard chromium layer includes the steps of forming the hard chromium layer on the inner surface by galvanic separation; and thereafter heating the hard chromium layer beyond the re-crystallization temperature thereof for obtaining, upon conclusion of the heating step, a uniform re-crystallization of the hard chromium layer in its entirety.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating the inside of a metal tube with an electrically conducting material, including first and second electrode assemblies supported within the tube. The axially spaced electrode assemblies each include a main electrode. The main electrode of the first electrode assembly is supported on the inner tube face via an insulating member. The second electrode assembly has an auxiliary electrode connected to the main electrode of the second electrode assembly and to the tube. A wire is secured to and extending between the main electrodes. A current source is connected to the main electrode of the first electrode assembly and the main electrode of the second electrode assembly through the tube and the auxiliary electrode for passing an electric current pulse through the wire for causing an explosive vaporization thereof, whereby particles of the vaporized material form a layer on the inner tube face.

Abstract: A weapon barrel includes a hard chromium layer provided on an inner barrel surface. The hard chromium layer contains at least 500 fissures/cm in a cross-sectional plane.

Abstract: A weapon barrel includes a hard chromium layer provided on an inner barrel surface. The hard chromium layer contains at least 500 fissures/cm in a cross-sectional plane.

Abstract: A weapon barrel includes a hard chromium layer provided on an inner barrel surface. The hard chromium layer contains at least 500 fissures/cm in a cross-sectional plane.

Abstract: A method of coating a metal surface, particularly an inner surface of a gun barrel, with a chromium layer, includes the following steps: electrolytically precipitating on the metal surface a plurality of partial chromium layers in a superposed relationship by electric current pulses equaling the number of the partial chromium layers; and selecting the duration of each pulse such that a crystallite growth of individual partial chromium layers is stopped prior to a natural termination thereof for obtaining a globular polytropic structure of the entire chromium layer.

Abstract: A method of coating an inner face of a metal tube with an electrically conducting coating material includes the steps of positioning a wire, made of the coating material, generally axially in an interior of the tube, along the inner face thereof; and passing an electric current pulse of sufficient intensity through the wire to cause an explosive vaporization thereof, whereby particles of the vaporized material impinge on the inner face of the metal tube and form a layer thereon.

Abstract: A method of producing a weapon barrel (1) having a wear-resistant inner coating (10) applied by an electrolytic method. To enable the application of a relatively thick protective layer to the inner wall or surface of a large-caliber weapon barrel (1), in particular, in the regions of thermally high stress and in a simple manner, a weapon barrel (1) prefabricated true to caliber is provided, a recess (7) is formed in the region of the chamber (2) and of the adjoining caliber region (3) to be coated with the protective layer (10) by electrochemical stripping (electrolytic polishing), and the recess (7) is subsequently refilled electrolytically with the protective layer (10). The same center electrode (4, 12) preferably is used for the electrolytic polishing process and for the electrolytic process for applying (plating) the protective coating or layer (10).