Methods of manufacturing metal, metal-matrix, metal-metal-matrix composite weapon barrels offer barrels with improved thermal performance and rigidity with no, minimal or negative weight increase. A barrel may include a barrel core surrounded by a lightweight, thermally conductive sleeve made from metal, metal-matrix composite (MMC) materials, also referred to as metal-matrix material. The barrel core and barrel sleeve may include aligning features to prevent separation and movement of the sleeve along the core. The disclosed methods provide for material combinations and part designs that prevent separation of their parts over the life of the weapon barrel and allow the barrel to perform at high cadence over the whole temperature range the barrel is used.

An embodiment is a nozzle for use in additive manufacturing and other applications. The nozzle defines a flow path and is configured to generate a supersonic flow of particles or fluid during operation. The embodiment provides at least one auxiliary flow path port that is configured to introduce an auxiliary flow into the nozzle relative to the flow path that protects an internal surface of the nozzle from wear and corrosion, thereby extending the life of the nozzle for extended periods of continuous operation. An embodiment centralizes particle location along its continuous flow path to achieve small footprint material deposition, thereby increasing 3D print resolution for building more intricate components.

A weapon barrel includes an inner core and an outer sleeve. The inner core has a first end, a second end, a bore extending from the first end to the second end, and an external surface extending from the first end to the second end. The inner core includes a material selected from the group consisting of a ferrous alloy, a non-ferrous alloy, a ceramic, a bonded ceramic, and a cemented carbide. The outer sleeve has a first end, a second end, an internal surface extending from the first end to the second end, and an external surface extending from the first end to the second end. The outer sleeve is disposed around and permanently joined to the inner core. The outer sleeve includes a material selected from the group consisting of a metal-matrix composite and a beryllium alloy, the outer sleeve material being located at and between the internal surface and the external surface of the outer sleeve.

Equipment for selectively depositing, by shockwave-induced spraying, at least one particle on a deposition surface of a receiver substrate. The equipment including at least one laser source that emits a laser beam, a substrate carrier to which the substrate is fastened, a shockwave-generating layer having a first surface oriented toward the laser beam and a second surface oriented toward the deposition surface of the substrate, an optical system for directing and focusing the laser beam toward a focal region of the first surface. The second surface including a plurality of cavities, each cavity housing at least one particle. The laser beam generates a plasma in the focal region on the first surface and a shockwave that propagates within the generating layer from the first surface to the second surface in order to spray at least one particle in the direction of the deposition surface of the substrate.

Equipment for selectively depositing, by shockwave-induced spraying, at least one particle on a deposition surface of a receiver substrate. The equipment including at least one laser source that emits a laser beam, a substrate carrier to which the substrate is fastened, a shockwave-generating layer having a first surface oriented toward the laser beam and a second surface oriented toward the deposition surface of the substrate, an optical system for directing and focusing the laser beam toward a focal region of the first surface. The second surface including a plurality of cavities, each cavity housing at least one particle. The laser beam generates a plasma in the focal region on the first surface and a shockwave that propagates within the generating layer from the first surface to the second surface in order to spray at least one particle in the direction of the deposition surface of the substrate.

Systems and methods for producing a dense, well bonded solid material from a powder may include consolidating the powder utilizing any suitable consolidation method, such as explosive shockwave consolidation. The systems and methods may also include a post-processing thermal treatment that exploits a mismatch between the coefficients of thermal expansion between the consolidated material and the container. Due to the mismatch in the coefficients, internal pressure on the consolidated material during the heat treatment may be increased.

Systems and methods for producing a dense, well bonded solid material from a powder may include consolidating the powder utilizing any suitable consolidation method, such as explosive shockwave consolidation. The systems and methods may also include a post-processing thermal treatment that exploits a mismatch between the coefficients of thermal expansion between the consolidated material and the container. Due to the mismatch in the coefficients, internal pressure on the consolidated material during the heat treatment may be increased.

A sliding member includes at least one surface having a particle aggregate of base material particles and hard particles. The hard particles are iron-based alloy particles containing molybdenum silicide in an amount of 35% to 90% by area. The sliding member has a wear resistance equivalent to that of a sliding member that uses cobalt-based hard particles.

A sliding member includes at least one surface having a particle aggregate of base material particles and hard particles. The hard particles are iron-based alloy particles containing molybdenum silicide in an amount of 35% to 90% by area. The sliding member has a wear resistance equivalent to that of a sliding member that uses cobalt-based hard particles.