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To: Still Thinking; grundle
Carbon fiber is substituting for metal in high-end automobiles. Would it work for barrels and other parts?
37 posted on 12/25/2012 10:09:30 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (I'll raise $2million for Sarah Palin's presidential run. What'll you do?)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Carbon fiber is a bear to work with unless you’re casting woven sheets of the stuff in resin or epoxy like binders.

The first time you get carbon fiber stubble into your flesh from working on carbon fiber, you’ll swear off using the stuff ever again.


38 posted on 12/25/2012 10:11:33 PM PST by NVDave
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Extreme high pressure press compacting sintered metal around a rifled mandrel and simultaneously cooking in a kiln can create a low pressure barrel such for a .45. I am somewhat familiar with the process, can be done with simple 50 ton hydraulic press and a home made kiln. Durability? questionable but would make a Liberty style gun look prehistoric.


39 posted on 12/25/2012 10:17:47 PM PST by Eye of Unk (A Civil Cold War in America is here, its already been declared.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
While I'm an ME, I'm not an expert on either carbon-fiber applications nor gunsmithing, but my gut feel is no.

However, as several have pointed out, 3D printing with materials suitable for high-stress gun parts or precursors like wax models, is already feasible, and may make it into the small-shop/home-shop arena in the foreseeable future.

43 posted on 12/25/2012 10:28:48 PM PST by Still Thinking (Freedom is NOT a loophole!)
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