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Physical Vapor Deposition of Tantalum on Gun Barrel Steel
Description:
This project entails the development of an alternative technology for plating gun barrel steel to replace the process electroplating of chrome (Cr-electroplate) with physical vapor deposition of tantalum (Ta-PVD).Developed by Benet Laboratory at Watervliet Arsenal, this project’s objective is to develop a superior coating application at a lower cost and lower environmental impact. Ta-PVD is being developed for its potential as an innovative, non-aqueous, non-polluting technology for applying environmentally safe coatings to protect gun barrels and replace chromium. In the Ta-PVD process, a tantalum rod is inserted and centered inside a gun barrel, and the atmospheric pressure within the barrel is reduced using vacuum pumps. An argon plasma is then generated between the target and the substrate which causes tantalum atoms to be sputtered off the rod and onto the barrel. (See above Figure) The barrel being used for this project is the M242, which is used by every service. The opportunity to eliminate Cr-electroplating baths for this barrel has significant environmental implications for the U.S. Government.
Status:
Currently, an inventory assessment was conducted of the manufacturing and upstream stages.That evaluation is being used to design an ETO of the technology for performance, cost, environment and acceptance.
Estimated Completion Date: FY02
Collaborators:
- Benet Laboratories
- China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center
- Eglin Air Force Base
Pending Deliverables:
- LCI of Alternative Coatings: Electroplating Chrome (Report)
- LCI of Alternative Coatings: PVD of Tantalum (Report)
- Comparison of Electroplating Chrome vs. PVD Tantalum
- Life Cycle Engineering of a Green Gun Barrel Technology (Paper)