Firearm Suppressors – Structures and Alternative Materials
Hakonen, Pasi (2011)
Hakonen, Pasi
2011
Materiaalitekniikan koulutusohjelma
Automaatio-, kone- ja materiaalitekniikan tiedekunta - Faculty of Automation, Mechanical and Materials Engineering
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2011-10-05
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tty-2011101214833
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tty-2011101214833
Tiivistelmä
Each year several hunters, conscripts and sport shooters suffer from tinnitus and other problems with their hearing. A great part of these problems are resulting from the exposure to noise from small arms fire without adequate hearing protection. Many of these hearing problems could have been avoided with the proper use of fire arm suppressors.
A heavy steel suppressor may turn a rifle unwieldy and uncomfortable to carry and therefore less tempting to use. This thesis aimed for solving this problem by exploring lighter alternative materials for suppressor use. The research began with a literary study on the subject and on that basis it was continued by exploring possible alternative materials with a computer aided selection process. These materials were tested by building a prototype suppressor and by testing the material suitability with real fire testing.
The carbon fiber composites which were subjected to first test proved to withstand heat to much greater extent that what was originally expected. The material ruptured only after considerably heavier exposure than the suppressor was intended to endure. The results of the tests showed promise for the carbon fiber composites, but they failed to provide conclusive evidence as timing problems prevented extensive testing. The fabrication and prototype testing processes are still underway and they wait for future testing possibilities.
The main conclusion from this study is that future research and testing are still needed to verify the suitability of the combination of carbon fiber composite and anodized aluminum in rifle caliber suppressors. The preliminary results are very promising. /Kir11
A heavy steel suppressor may turn a rifle unwieldy and uncomfortable to carry and therefore less tempting to use. This thesis aimed for solving this problem by exploring lighter alternative materials for suppressor use. The research began with a literary study on the subject and on that basis it was continued by exploring possible alternative materials with a computer aided selection process. These materials were tested by building a prototype suppressor and by testing the material suitability with real fire testing.
The carbon fiber composites which were subjected to first test proved to withstand heat to much greater extent that what was originally expected. The material ruptured only after considerably heavier exposure than the suppressor was intended to endure. The results of the tests showed promise for the carbon fiber composites, but they failed to provide conclusive evidence as timing problems prevented extensive testing. The fabrication and prototype testing processes are still underway and they wait for future testing possibilities.
The main conclusion from this study is that future research and testing are still needed to verify the suitability of the combination of carbon fiber composite and anodized aluminum in rifle caliber suppressors. The preliminary results are very promising. /Kir11