Diamond-Based Duralar Nanotechnology Coating Improves Firearm Performance

ProtoTactical, a Tucson-area manufacturer of firearms and firearm components has discovered a new way to significantly improve their firearm performance — by applying a special nanotechnology coating called Duralar™. Duralar is an advanced, diamond-based coating that is being used in a variety of industries to enhance metal hardness and durability — and to provide other qualities as well.

"Our use of Duralar coatings began as an experiment," said Gary Palese, president of ProTactical. "I coated a few standard AR-15 trigger parts, mainly to check out the increased durability and wear resistance. But I got a nice surprise and an interesting bonus..."

"As soon as we installed a Duralar-coated trigger and dry-fired the weapon we immediately discovered that the trigger action was significantly smoother. Customers who tried it were amazed at the difference between the coated and uncoated triggers. They were certain that we must have changed the springs or reground the edges, or something! But the only difference was Duralar."

"Because Duralar is a carbon-based material it has a natural, dry lubricity," explained Andrew Tudhope, president of Duralar North America. "In firearm applications this means smoother action, less friction and no need for liquid lubricants, which can collect dirt and cause jamming. So, when you combine the intrinsic lubricity with Duralar's hardness and increased wear and scratch resistance, it gives gun manufacturers a very useful suite of performance features."

Sex Appeal

Gary Palese is also pleased with another Duralar feature, which he calls "sex appeal!"  "Duralar coating gives metals a unique pearlescent gray-black surface that is very tactical and 'stealthy' looking — which many of our customers find very sexy! So, because of its hardness and attractive appearance, I'm going to start using Duralar to coat our line of custom knife blades, as well."

Introduced by Duralar Technologies in 2012, Duralar is an advanced, uniquely structured nanocomposite coating that blends metal and diamond-based components to achieve exceptional hardness, toughness, strength and a spectrum of performance qualities. It is comprised of multiple layers that can be configured in multiple ways to address different applications. Because of its many features Duralar is finding use in an ever-widening range of metal-coating applications. In addition to hardness, durability and lubricity the coatings also provide excellent corrosion and erosion resistance, and they are environmentally friendly, as well.