BARREL EROSION ASSESSMENT FOR A 5.56x45 CALIBER WEAPON, IN LABORATORY AND OPERATIONAL WEAR REPLICATION SCENARIOS

Abstract

Barrel erosion affects firearm performance, longevity, and reliability, necessitating precise measurement techniques for wear assessment. This study examines erosion in 5.56×45 mm calibre barrels under laboratory-controlled and operational wear replication conditions. A Ballistic Interchangeable Manometric Cannon (BIMC) and an FN SCAR barrel were analysed using Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) scanning and steel pin gauges to quantify material loss. CMM scanning provided high-resolution, micron-level accuracy, while pin gauges enabled rapid field assessments. Results indicate that erosion is most severe in the forcing cone due to thermo-chemical and mechanical degradation. Laboratory tests closely predicted operational wear trends, though real-world conditions introduced variability. These findings underscore the necessity of refining metrology techniques for predictive maintenance and service life estimation. Future research should focus on real-time monitoring advancements, enhanced measurement precision, and computational modeling for improved barrel wear assessments.