Methods for producing composite structures using diffusion or thermal reactions of a plurality of layers

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods of manufacturing of thermally formed composite structures, such as a projectile firing structure, are provided. One simplified exemplary method includes: determining material properties of a projectile firing structure comprising a rifled barrel including thermal conductivity, wear, and tensile strength; wrapping a plurality of thermally reactive layers onto a cylindrical press form structure, the cylindrical press form structure comprising a plurality of spiraled grooves and lands, the thermally reactive layers comprising metal or metal oxides that when heated produce thermal diffusion byproducts in a composite structure forming the rifled barrel having the plurality of material properties; disposing an enclosing structure around the thermally reactive layers wrapped around the cylindrical press form structure; and heating the plurality of thermally reactive layers at a temperature and time so that the plurality of thermally reactive layers thermally react via thermal diffusion forming the rifled barrel having the plurality of material properties.