Is Melonite a good barrel finish?

In addition, melonite is harder than chrome-lining providing a longer wear life. This barrel is an excellent choice for a general purpose AR rifle build especially in states that do not allow a threaded barrel. It is perfectly suited for use at the range, in a 3-Gun match, or in the field pursuing game.

Is Melonite and nitride the same thing?

Nitride is a treatment to the barrels steel that hardens the steel and significantly increases corrosion and wear resistance. This is usually done in a process called Quench polish quench (QPQ). Melonite is a specific version of Nitride but for the most part Melonite and Nitride are the same.

Can you Melonite stainless steel?

Unlike some other finishes and treatments, Melonite® has a predictable and consistent outcome that significantly strengthens the surfaces of carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, and austenitic steel products. It can also be highly effective when used for cast iron and sintered iron, as well.

What is Melonite QPQ?

Quench polish quench (QPQ) is a specialized type of nitrocarburizing case hardening that increases corrosion resistance. It is sometimes known by the brand name of Tufftride, Tenifer or Melonite.

How many rounds can a nitride barrel handle?

The barrels averaged a firing schedule of 200 shots per minute. That’s almost the equivalent of firing seven 30-round magazines per minute. The nitrided barrels lasted an average of 28,000 shots before rejection.

What is Tufftride heat treatment?

Salt bath Nitrocarburising is a thermo-chemical surface treatment carried out in molten salt at a temperature of 580oC. The process is often followed by a further oxidation treatment in a caustic molten salt bath to give components the characteristic black finish which is also very corrosion resistant.

Is black nitride the same as QPQ?

Nitride. While both QPQ coating and Nitride create a layer of ε iron nitride on the material, they are not the same. They both indeed belong to the group of thermochemical heat treatments.

What are the benefits of Melonite coating on rifle barrels?

Generally, the rifle barrels with Melonite coating are better protected against galling, abrasive wear, and erosion but the primary benefit of this treatment is corrosion resistance. Some manufacturers even claim that their Melonite coating is 85 percent more resistant to corrosion than chrome plating.

What is melonite and how is it made?

Melonite involves processing at high temperature (975-1,100 degrees F) in a cyanate salt bath, where both nitrogen and carbon bond to the surface and become a “new” hardened surface.

How do I know if my rifle barrel is Melonite or chrome-lined?

When you receive a new rifle or buy a used one, the easiest way to tell if the barrel is Melonite or Chrome-lined is the manufacturer’s markings stamped on the barrel’s top. Usually, you can see marks like a “C” or CL (Chrome-lined) with a company name, rifle twist, and other things.

What is the difference between melonite and chrome lining?

Whereas Melonite and chrome-lining processes are used for the same purpose, coating and/or finishing barrel treatment, they achieve the goal differently. Unlike nitriding, which changes the surface properties, chrome lining adds a coating to the interior barrel surface that can be as thick as one-and-a-half thousandths, 0.0015″.