Very conveniently, Benelli returns in these periods to submit to customers a technical reality of absolute value: treatment Be.ST (Benelli Surface Treatement) for the barrels of their shotguns. The process required a considerable commitment in terms of time, research and investments, investments not only aimed at specific materials and machinery, but also in the training of engineering personnel in the sector.
The primary consideration concerns the reaction of the steel of a rod to aggression, especially corrosive of very humid environments, in particular to salt spray, probably the worst enemy of the chemical structure of carbon iron, but equally to mechanical shocks and abrasions. Today we hunt in extreme situations and a rifle resistant even to these environments proves to be an irreplaceable companion of one's passion.
La diamond texture represents the best that Nature offers in terms of hardness: here we try to give some hints that for the experts will be illuminating, for others they will perhaps be a little abstruse, but the belief remains that stimulating curiosity invites knowledge. Here is the process that uses a hybrid technology, of absolute innovation, recently developed: it serves to induce a coating of the barrel with characteristics similar to diamond for maximum hardness, high-class aesthetics, resistance to corrosive elements, without the need of oiling. Ecology has not been forgotten and the deposition process of the protective layer does not produce waste emissions: it is carried out in the Urbino plant, with machinery designed to Benelli specifications and made in Italy. Here the technical part begins: the work begins with solid state ion sources and the latest generation followed by the deposition of compact layers where point defects are absent, probable beginnings of corrosion, as occurs using different technologies. We switch to a plasma source that uses radiofrequency by dissociating the gaseous precursors introduced into the volume at work, thus initiating their deposition. The process employed by Benelli works with a liquid precursor, covered by a patent, which is vaporized before its insertion in the chamber. This liquid precursor is called a diamantoid and has the properties of depositing an external layer, similar to diamond, containing hydrocarbon chains where the carbon creates sp3-type bonds, characteristic of the diamond.
In this layer there is a carbon-hydrogen lattice in amorphous microstructure, extremely hard and inert under a chemical profile. On the other hand, the underlying steel structure is microcrystalline, chemically reactive and relatively soft: the reduced physical-chemical affinity reveals a poor adhesion between the two elements. An intermediate layer is needed where the characteristics change from metallic to intermetallic with similar properties of hardness, toughness, resistance to heat, wear and corrosion: in short, the peculiar characteristics of the diamond. We have tried to explain in dry and technical terms the various steps that are required to carry out the Be.ST treatment to which we must add that other processes and treatments precede and follow the peculiar phase of deposition. The related complications have dissuaded other companies from pursuing such research. Probably only Benelli's determination to be “ahead of all time” has allowed the achievement of the excellent result: computerized processing and specially trained engineering personnel have allowed success. In addition to the aforementioned characteristics, it is worth adding a note on the aesthetic level which, thanks to the final finish, gives a magnificent appearance in terms of depth and intensity of color, such as to overcome the most classic of browning.
For maintenance there will always be those who will not be able to convince themselves of the uselessness of the classic oil pass: to accept it, you need to think locally that the diamond of the engagement ring just needs a very light pass with suede or a synthetic cloth. for optical lenses.
I only know that the benelli semiautomatic, you want the raffaello you want the basic montefeltro model with fixed chokes are rifles that have given me more satisfaction than any very expensive side-by-side shotgun and more. With the 12-gauge benelli I shoot everything from larks to wild boar
many times I have to go home soon ... I easily defeat the game bag allowed by law, with the benellis I am not mistaken, especially thrushes, wood pigeons and woodcocks. My only criticism is that there is no need to manufacture specific ones for each type of hunting. for example I always talk about the montefeltro with wood pigeons, it goes very well with a 65cm barrel with a 4-star fixed choke. I do not see what I need the model colombo.a woodcock we do not talk about it very difficult I am always wrong one 4 stars, thrush ??? sometimes I am also amazed how they fall from one olive tree to another with a bracing thrust.
But the beauty is that they never break and if some spring pin or something else should jump, you order it on the internet and it will arrive the next day for two pennies. after 6 years of continuous use