Artillery Question: Could a long-range howitzer barrel be made from a thin aluminium tube?

2015-04-08T19:46:43-04:00

I had some training at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, where the instructors emphasized that howitzer barrels were made of case-hardened, high-strength steel, and even then had to be replaced often. My question is, could aluminum ever be used for long-range artillery. If not, did any senior military adviser ever inform the President of this."

Response by 1LT Patrick Hefferan made Apr 8 at 2015 7:52 PM

2015-04-08T19:52:05-04:00

Background: In the run up to the second Iraq war. Defense Intelligence agencies stated that the Iraq army had acquired some long aluminum tubes that were going to be used for long-range artillery barrels which could fire shells much farther than conventional artillery, and would be used in attacks on neighboring countries. I wonder if any senior military officers informed the President that aluminum was too soft and ductile to be used in artillery barrels.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Apr 8 at 2015 7:58 PM

2015-04-08T19:58:41-04:00

I would be interested in hearing your SME opinion on this one.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 8 at 2015 10:14 PM

2015-04-08T22:14:11-04:00

1LT Patrick Hefferan,

An aluminum sheaf for a hardened steel barrel would save a lot of weight.

I recall reading of the USN cutting newly protruding ends off their Naval guns. That was probably tube liners lengthening from repeated fire missions.

The M-60 LMG of the Vietnam era was issued w/ a spare barrel and an asbestos glove for the assistant gunner to do a quick, push-pull, change-out of a red hot barrel that had lost it accuracy.

The steel barrel of the M-60 barrel had a Stellite liner. Stellite is a very hard material, which could fracture if it was not protected by the steel sheaf.

Once declared to be unserviceable the barrel was sent to an Ordnance facility where the Stellite liner was replaced and the barrel returned to the supply chain.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 7:32 PM

2015-08-03T19:32:43-04:00

It seems like charge 5 M232 or super 8 would blow an aluminium tube. But tubes really don't get changed out that often. I've only seen one howitzer be fitted with a new tube.

Response by SPC Nathan Freeman made Aug 3 at 2015 7:37 PM

2015-08-03T19:37:43-04:00

I'm familiar with artillery and metallurgy as well. The problem isn't the hardness; it's the melting point. Aluminum melts at a far lower temperature than steel. Hardened steel takes considerably more heat to melt after it's been hardened. This can be done with heat tempering and/or cry freezing which pulls the molecules closer together permanently(or until it is melted). Aluminum can be hardened through anodizing to be harder than steel but it can never take the heat the same way hardened steel can. It gets brittle and breaks which could kill the whole battery or at least the fire team.