It has been established for several centuries now that the diamond is the maximum point of reference for a whole set of positive factors and Benelli, in its exposition on the new treatment, mentions the Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg who in 1477 gave to the promise marries Mary of Burgundy just a diamond as a pledge for their next union. Entities that collect a choral appreciation usually contain in themselves material and immaterial values for which the peculiar characteristics that we would not elegantly define technical are nevertheless of such magnitude as to convey on the subject the desires, desires, even the ideals of an enormous number of people. . Very nice, and very truthful, the consideration that closes this opening on the diamond: it is a pity that the esteemed Mary of Habsburg could not, for manifest unavailability, reciprocate the august gift with a Benelli.
We now come to today's reality when on a particular occasion our homage to his wife, usually in theme, if not in entity, with what the Emperor showed us, is reciprocated by her, usually the children are the architects of the choice, with a rifle, and if it is a Benelli, you sit in your usual armchair ritually unpacking the magnificent and generous gift. Today in a hypothetical gift it is possible to climb a step more than the usual one by examining the Benelli Raffaello semiauto with the external treatment of the barrel called Be.ST, that is Benelli Surface Treatement. If we analyze the reasons for the surface treatment of a barrel we will observe how something is necessary to protect the metal from oxidation, abrasion and wear: the climate and the hunting environment seem to have been created specifically to attack steel and therefore the classic burnishing has provided up to to date a valid means of protection. This is not enough because you want the aesthetic appearance to have the class that bluing gives, enhancing the underlying finish of the material, which the paint does not do, also exposing a dark color that binds well with the wood of the stock.
The new has a great future
Certainly the burnishing will continue for a long time, but the Be.ST treatment will begin to make school because the yield in terms of practicality is at the highest level and the aesthetics alongside it with equal appreciable innovation. It is therefore worth discussing with a brief exposition on how this milestone has been technically reached. The process adopted by Benelli makes use of a highly innovative hybrid technology, recently developed and still in an evolutionary phase to give a coating with characteristics similar to those of diamonds: therefore hardness at the highest degree, highly refined aesthetics, corrosion resistance without request interventions with protective oil. Furthermore, the process for depositing this layer is ecological as it has no waste emissions and is carried out in the Urbino plant with a highly sophisticated plant, entirely made in Italy to Benelli's own specifications. The operation takes place using latest generation solid state ion sources, with the deposition of compact layers in which point defects are absent, which could give rise to initial corrosion, as on the other hand occurs with other technologies. In another section of the plant a radiofrequency plasma source is used, thanks to which the gaseous precursors introduced into the chamber are dissociated, creating the conditions for their deposition. The process adopted by Benelli uses a liquid precursor, covered by industrial secrecy, vaporized before being placed in the chamber. This liquid precursor, called diamantoid, has the properties of creating an outer layer similar to diamond containing hydrocarbon chains in which carbon forms sp3-type bonds, peculiar to diamonds. The deposited layer has a carbon-hydrogen lattice in an amorphous microstructure, is very hard and is chemically inert. Unlike the surface of the steel on which it is deposited has a crystalline microstructure, it is chemically reactive and relatively soft: the result is a low adhesion due to the reduced chemical-physical affinity with the substrate. An interlayer is required in which the characteristics change from metallic to intermetallic similar in the properties of hardness, toughness, resistance to heat, wear and corrosion typical of the diamond.
We have exposed the peculiar phase of deposition, but this is preceded and followed by other treatments, very complicated and such as to have dissuaded many from pursuing the objective. It goes without saying that the success achieved in Benelli is the result of an extraordinary determination: the processes are computerized and only highly qualified personnel with specific degrees follow this procedure. The latest finish allows this material to achieve a brilliance, a sense of completeness and a depth of color such as to make a barrel with the classic browning appear almost gray. The tests conducted while hunting and in the most unfortunate environments, such as areas close to the sea and therefore with salt fog, failed to highlight the slightest deficiency compared to the premises and promises of the manufacturer. It seems to be repetitive, but the motto “Benelli, always ahead” is once again the truest and most logical conclusion to close this description.