Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-lethal projectile for a firearm composed of a novel, soft and elastic, composite material comprising a polymeric organic matrix and a pulverulent metallic filler, with a relative density of between 4 and 22, dispersed in the polymeric matrix. The composite material has a relative density of between 1.0 and 2.9 and a Shore A hardness of between 2 and 30. The polymeric organic matrix is a crosslinked polybutadiene comprising polybutadiene chains with a mass of between 500 and 10,000 connected by bridges. The projectile according to the invention makes it possible to neutralize an animal or a person without endangering his life and without inflicting serious injuries, even when firing at a short range of less than 5 m.

Abstract: Composite spherical projectiles are provided for shotgun cartridges which are environmentally compatible, relatively inexpensive and have ballistic properties similar to lead shot or projectiles and which consist of metal particles dispersed in a biogradable polymeric solid matrix which includes a hydrocarbon binder containing ester functional groups which are linked to C.sub.1-20 aliphatic hydrocarbon chains, starch, and titanium dioxide.