Gun barrel/ metal question. (Materials)?

Question

This is going to sound pretty crazy, so don't even bother answering if you're an advertiser or a smart a$$.

Purely theoretical, which would hold up and perform better with polygonal rifling: Tantalum hafnium carbide or carbon fiber.

The only options.

I am serious about this, and you can argue night and day over that if you like.

Answer 1

Carbon fiber won't work. It is not hard or temperature resistant enough. Cleaning it would be a nightmare. Totally unsuitable. There are carbon fiber reinforced barrels out there, but they use a steel liner.

Don't know about THC. It sounds strong, stiff, high temp capability. Wear properties and corrosion resistance of liner is an issue.

I would use an exotic stainless alloy, like inconel or hastelloy, with lots of cold work to make it super strong. Maybe something with a dispersion of graphite (like cast iron) for low friction.

Answer 2

I don't think carbon fibre will give the same inside surface as the high grade alloy. Also if you don't have a strong wall surface it will blow behind the projectile.

If I were you I would make the carbon fible model and fire it off standing behind something by remote control.