Ceramics - Strange Properties for a "Glass"

Originally Posted by
Dirtyboy333
Was at my local gunshop talking to the local "expert" about NTC vs. CL and he was making several points (as have been mentioned here) to why he prefers NTC over CL. After discussing it he then mentioned something about ceramic barrels that "would not be affected by heat, best barrels ever, blah blah". He also stated that they are WAY to expensive to produce but theoretically perfect.
Have you heard of this or is this just gunshop BS?
ETA: a google search turned up a little bit about ceramic but it was all for coatings. He was talking about the entire barrel being ceramic with no steel.
Ceramics are "glass" - long molecular chains that are essentially an extremely viscous liquid as it flows continuously.
However, I have in my possession a ceramic ball that handles phenomenal compressive loads. Surely, it's geometry plays a role but still... I placed the ball on smooth concrete, took a sledge hammer and whacked it. Expecting the results to differ from what the manufacturer claimed I wore a protective face shield. When I opened my eyes I saw the black ball had sunk INTO the concrete floor leaving a perfect hemispherical divot.
Later, I read of ceramic ball bearings for use in race motorcycles and u can purchase a set for your bike to decrease rolling resistance - and absorb ridiculous loads (though the bearing race may not fare as well).
My point is that advances in metallurgy and material sciences is continuous. I don't doubt a ceramic barrel can be made. It will probably be a ceramic composite initially (just as we have MMCs - Metal Matrix Composites). The other material would be added for toughness; how much would have to be determined experimentally and studying phase diagrams.
One would think that a pistol barrel would be first on the public market (as well as a research project) since it's much shorter and has to deal with less powder charge/pressure, etc.
"One cannot awaken a man who pretends to be asleep..."
Bookmarks