Composite Overwrapped Metallic Tanks.
Abstract
The purpose of this program was to design, fabricate, and test glass-fiber-reinforced (GFR) titanium pressure vessels suitable for the containment of helium at cryogenic temperatures and up to l6O degrees F. The first two portions of this four-part effort are covered in the interim report, NASA CR-72765, MCR-70-35O. That document includes a detailed report on Task I, Titanium Properties Determination, and Task II, Pressure Vessel Design. This volume will deal with Task III, Vessel Fabrication, and Task IV, Test Program. Difficulties encountered in the tank liner fabrication phase involved explosive forming, vacuum annealing, chemical milling and electron beam welding. While each of these processes and the non-destructive test methods employed are normally considered to be individually reliable, the combination of poor material together with fabrication and development reversals prevented the full achievement of the desired end results. Eight tanks plus a prototype and tool proofing article were produced. Six of the vessels failed during the hydrostatic sizing operation. One of the remaining tanks was hydrostatically pressurized to burst and the other was pressurized repeatedly at 75 degrees F from 100 psi to the operating pressure until failure occurred. As a result, it is not possible to draw firm conclusions as to the true value of the design concept due to the problems encountered in the program. (MM)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- ADA305605
Entities
People
- C. L. Caudill
- R. L. Kirlin
Organizations
- Martin Marietta