Suppressors Carbon Fiber Suppressors...

[santee116]

Looks like in Europe some companies are manufacturing carbon fiber suppressors. Seems like a good way to keep the weight down to me.

For example, the ATEC Carbon 02 is approximately 235 mm (9.25") long and only weighs about 320 grams (11.3 oz), according to their website.

See Link: Carbon02

Wonder if any of the major US manufacturers have these in the plans?

The downside might be excessive mirage? I'm sure the other downside may be price $$$$.

 

[SRSDriver]

I've heard of one made here in the US, it blew itself apart and I recall the guy searching all over the range for the rest of the parts.

For a hair over an ounce more weight, I'd rather have the Thunderbeast BAS, only a tiny bit heavier, shorter, and a proven design. I have one on order now.

https://thunderbeastarms.com/products/30bas

 

[santee116]

I agree, the 7" Thunderbeast looks like the ticket to me.

Would love to see a range report, when you get yours.

 

[mike in pa]

I've heard of one made here in the US, it blew itself apart and I recall the guy searching all over the range for the rest of the parts.

Check over on ST, the carbon fiber cans have been known to split big time.

 

[NevadaZielmeister]

Looks like in Europe some companies are manufacturing carbon fiber suppressors. Seems like a good way to keep the weight down to me.

For example, the ATEC Carbon 02 is approximately 235 mm (9.25") long and only weighs about 320 grams (11.3 oz), according to their website.

See Link: Carbon02

Wonder if any of the major US manufacturers have these in the plans?

The downside might be excessive mirage? I'm sure the other downside may be price $$$$.

Based on what you just said, I would have to imagine you have limited experience with a suppressor, is that correct?

My experience shows that a suppressor experiences MASSIVE forces, include heat, shock, vibration and impact. I doubt carbon fiber would stand up to that kind of abuse. Carbon fiber works great on bicycles and Formula One cars but not on suppressors. And second, something like this would never be approved as an NFA item here in the United States.

I am looking forward to your visit to Norway and letting us know how they work though. It is an "interesting" idea for a suppressor.

 

[santee116]

Based on what you just said, I would have to imagine you have limited experience with a suppressor, is that correct?

My experience shows that a suppressor experiences MASSIVE forces, include heat, shock, vibration and impact. I doubt carbon fiber would stand up to that kind of abuse. Carbon fiber works great on bicycles and Formula One cars but not on suppressors. And second, something like this would never be approved as an NFA item here in the United States.

I am looking forward to your visit to Norway and letting us know how they work though. It is an "interesting" idea for a suppressor.

Thanks for the scientific data, Mr. Wizard. You have been very helpful.

 

[TexasGunTrustLawyer]

They don't have a good rep here in the u.s.

 

[gr1ffer]

Carbon mods don't have a good rep in uk either I don't think carbon as a stand alone is a suitable material but better as a shroud to conduct heat and reduce weight. I've used a lot of mods but now settled with hardy gen 4 they are exellent for hunting not sure about sustained fire though but I think they are semi auto tested but don't quote me on that

 

[ddavis]

The place is Shooters Depot in Corpus Christi and I have one of their cans. Please for the love of God do not buy one of their carbon fiber cans. Dealing with that place after I had multiple problems with the CF piece of junk was the worst experience I've ever had with a company. While it may be possible to make a carbon fiber tube that would hold up, Shooters Depot has NOT figured it out. Carbon fiber holds in the heat and mine blew apart. Titanium weighs only slightly more but is much better suited to the task.

 

[Daneren]

Carbon suppressors are for hunting-style scenarios only. They cannot handle the heat from successive fire. A-tec's CF-can even has a heat indicator.

I use aluminium suppressors from Schultz & Larsen and Sonic. They have steel inserts, so as not to burn out from the gasses, and are very effective modular and telescopic designs.
- And they keep the weight down.

 

[RHunter]

Carbon fiber holds in the heat

You should see how hot you can get one of those magnum research 22 mag CF barrels! It does not dissipate heat well at all.

Carbon fiber cans are a stupid idea, the resins on the CF can not take excessive heat either.

 

[xdeano]

A coworker of mine has a carbon fiber suppressor. He is a relative of the guy who use to own and run ABS barrels. It is made for a 300wsm and it sounds pretty good. He had a problem with it a few months after he started to shoot it. The baffle stack got loose. It was fixed and he's still shooting it. The external jacket looks just like the ABS barrels.
Xdeano

 

[Glen Seekins]

I dono that would be the best material to use, but i did see a prototype of a suppressor that was 12oz not long ago and it sounded great. I cant say what company its from, but they already build some kickass supressors and you guys will like it

 

[ddavis]

A coworker of mine has a carbon fiber suppressor. He is a relative of the guy who use to own and run ABS barrels. It is made for a 300wsm and it sounds pretty good. He had a problem with it a few months after he started to shoot it. The baffle stack got loose. It was fixed and he's still shooting it. The external jacket looks just like the ABS barrels.
Xdeano

My baffle stack loosened up multiple times as well. The best I can figure is that the CF tube is stretching as it gets too hot, allowing the spacer/baffle stack to rattle loosely, which in turn causes other issues.

 

[Mayhem52]

The ability of a carbon fiber assembly to withstand heat is 100% dependent upon the type of epoxy and catalyst used. Common off the shelf components are not the least bit suitable, and the upper end components that are are brutally expensive, and generally quite hazardous (deadly) to your health when inhaled or contacted with skin prior to cure. Carbon can withstand tremendous amount of heat when correctly used with the properly formulated epoxy. Look at the F-16 and SR-71 to gain some insight to heat saturation capabilities. 1,000 degrees F and more is possible with carbon fiber when things are done right.

So the issue with carbon cans blowing apart is one that is caused by poor engineering and misunderstood chemistry on the part of the manufacturer. Some manufacturers are little more than low end hobby designers that may have little comprehension of the temperatures and forces associated with firearms.

 

[Conqueror]

That is a safe bet, most of the companies making CF silencers do not have anyone with serious carbon fiber engineering experience. They just buy ready-made CF tubing and start making cans. They usually use press-fitting and adhesives to hold the metal components inside the tube, and the adhesives usually melt under the first hard use.