You are here

A Plasma Process to Produce Refractory Metal Clad Continuous Lengths of Copper Alloy Gun Rails

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Navy
Contract: N00014-12-C-0413
Agency Tracking Number: N10A-025-0248
Amount: $500,002.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: N10A-T025
Solicitation Number: 2010.A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2012
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2012-09-20
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
7960 S. Kolb Rd.
Tucson, AZ -
United States
DUNS: 147518286
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 James Withers
 C.E.O.
 (520) 574-1980
 jcwithers@mercorp.com
Business Contact
 Raouf Loutfy
Title: President
Phone: (520) 574-1980
Email: mercorp@mercorp.com
Research Institution
 Institute for Adv. Technology
 Courtney F Swaney
 
University of Texas at Austin 3925 West Braker Lane
Austin, TX 78759-5316
United States

 (512) 471-6424
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

An electromagnetic launcher also known as a rail gun is a major gun system the Navy is developing for long range fire support. A refractory metal cladding on a copper rail is enabling for the successful high fire rate and long life of the electromagnetic launcher. Heretofore, a successful process for adherently cladding/coating a refractory metal onto a copper rail that withstands the rigors of an electromagnetic launcher has not been demonstrated. In Phase I it was demonstrated a plasma transferred arc (PTA) process was capable of producing a refractory metal clad copper gun rail which withstood bending and thermal shock testing. The Phase II is to further develop PTA cladding processing and produce experimental gun rails for multiple shot testing at the University of Texas. The PTA system is capable of processing non-planer gun rail cross-sections in continuous lengths which will also be demonstrated in the Phase II program.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government