SIMULATIVE MODELING AND ANALYSIS OF THERMO-MECHANICAL AND TRIBOLOGICAL PROCESSES IN ELECTRO-CHEMICALLY RIFLED FIREARM BARRELS WITH ANODIZED AND CHROME COATINGS

This study presents original simulation modelling of thermo-mechanical and tribological processes in firearms manufactured via Electro-Chemical Rifling (ECR) followed by anodized and chrome coatings.Employing the finite element method (FEM), the study investigates the influence of material properties and dynamic loading conditions on the thermal behaviour and wear mechanisms of aluminium and steel firearms.Results demonstrate that chrome coatings are approximately ten times thicker than anodic oxide layers, possess 3.2 times greater hardness, and reduce the dynamic coefficient of friction by an average of 16%.The allowable number of operational cycles for chrome-plated steel firearms exceeds that of hard-anodized aluminium counterparts by a factor of 12. Deformations under identical conditions remain below maximum permissible limits, with steel firearms exhibiting approximately 2.37 times less deformation than aluminium firearms.These quantitative findings provide significant insights into the interaction between materials, coatings, and dynamic operational stresses, offering potential for optimising manufacturing processes and substantially enhancing the durability and reliability of firearms.