STUDY OF TITANIUM ALLOY TANKAGE AT CRYOGENIC TEMPERATURES
Abstract
A reliable design for high performance, light weight tankage for cryogenic liquid propellants, including liquid hydrogen, is a critical requirement in future spacecraft. Accordingly, a project was initiated to develop titanium pressure vessel fabrication and welding methods. Using Ti-6Al- 4V and Ti-5Al-2.5Sn alloys and incorporating three weld designs, a total of eight 16-inch diameter pressure vessels were manufactured and burst tested at temperatures between ambient and -423F (-253C). In addition, three 30inch cylinders of sandwich construction were fabricated and tested under selected thermal gradients. The results showed that resistance or fusion welded Ti-6Al- 4V tankage can be manufactured and used at temperatures between ambient temperature and -320F (-196C). Further work is necessary to develop titanium tankage for liquid hydrogen applications. The compressive strengths of sandwich cylinders varied very little within the range of the thermal gradients investigated. Information on the fabrication and testing methods as applied to titanium tankage is presented in this report. The possible causes of premature failure at -423F (-253C) and the subject of 'texture strengthening' are briefly discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 12, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0604053
Entities
People
- E. F. Kaluza
- Takuya Matsuda
- William Joseph Martin
Organizations
- Douglas