A REVIEW AND COMPARISON OF ALLOYS FOR FUTURE SOLID-PROPELLANT ROCKET-MOTOR CASES
Abstract
Metallic materials for solid-propellant rocketmotor cases in the period 1965-1970 probably will be confined to steel and alloys of titanium and aluminum. Of the three, titanium alloys have the greatest potential on the basis of usable strength-to-density ratio, followed by steel and aluminum alloys. Of the potential steel alloys, by far the most of the current development work is being done on the 18 per cent nickel maraging steels. These steels have the promise of good fracture toughness at high strength levels, and perhaps most important, their heat treatment is favorable for the fabrication of very large boosters, compared to steels that must be austenitized after forming. Of steels that must be austenitized, quenched, and tempered, the modified silico-manganese steels, S5 tool steels, and AISI 9250 spring steel have outstanding potential. Titanium alloys continue to be relatively expensive, but they still have the greatest strengthto-density potential, and, in addition, possess outstanding resistance to corrosion. Development of new titanium alloys is being pursued with the possibility of better titanium alloys being developed. Even though aluminum alloys are not now used in rocket-motor case fabrication, newer alloys are being developed and tested, and may be feasible for such applications in the future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 15, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0430165
Entities
Organizations
- Battelle Memorial Institute