Jun 24, 2025

US12339106 - Fiber reinforced bullet and method of manufacture

Bullet constructed from FRP, preferably basalt. The method includes the step of forming pultruded basalt strands positioned co-axially before milling to form a conventional bullet shape. The process uses a 10 mm FRP rod held by a revolving collet that is interfaced with an upper diamond OD grinder and a lower diamond profile wheel. Gravity allows the rod to rest on a Teflon coated cut off wheel. The upper grinder draws the rod to an exact outer dimension and the lower grinder cuts the bullet to a perfect dimension. Linear slides move the cut off wheel and grinders in for the cutting process and out to allow the finished bullet to pass.

Assignee: D & E Holdings, Inc.
Inventors: Donald R. Smith, Elina B. Jenkins
Filing date: 2023-12-14

bulletammunitionmanufacturingfiber_reinforced

The patent describes a bullet made from fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), specifically basalt, which is manufactured through a pultrusion process that shapes the material into a conventional bullet form. The design incorporates fibers aligned along the bullet’s length to enhance performance, allowing for controlled expansion upon impact when combined with copper strands.

Claim 1

A bullet comprising: a substantially cylindrical shell having a predetermined longitudinal length and diameter, said shell formed from a polymeric material protruded with a resin and fibers, said fibers positioned in a co-axial direction wherein lengths of said fibers are directed in-line along a longitudinal length of said shell and extending to, a rounded leading edge exposing each end of said fibers, said shell having a trailing end coupled to a cartridge case containing a propellant wherein said propellant is capable of generating controlled expansion of gases, wherein said fibers are used in combination with a single mass formed from copper strands, wherein said single mass allows said bullet to mushroom upon impact.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12339106

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12339106