Russian aluminum-lithium alloys for advanced reusable spacecraft

Journal Article · Thu Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 1998 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.54896· OSTI ID:21179694

Charette, Ray O; Leonard, Bruce G; Bozich, William F; Deamer, David A ^[1]

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1. Boeing Co., 5301 Bolsa Ave., Huntington Beach, California 92647-2099 (United States)

Cryotanks that are cost-affordable, robust, fuel-compatible, and lighter weight than current aluminum design are needed to support next-generation launch system performance and operability goals. The Boeing (McDonnell Douglas Aerospace-MDA) and NASA's Delta Clipper-Experimental Program (DC-XA) flight demonstrator test bed vehicle provided the opportunity for technology transfer of Russia's extensive experience base with weight-efficient, highly weldable aluminum-lithium (Al-Li) alloys for cryogenic tank usage. As part of NASA's overall reusable launch vehicle (RLV) program to help provide technology and operations data for use in advanced RLVs, MDA contracted with the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS/IMASH) for design, test, and delivery of 1460 Al-Li alloy liquid oxygen (LO{sub 2}) cryotanks: one for development, one for ground tests, and one for DC-XA flight tests. This paper describes the development of Al-Li 1460 alloy for reusable LO{sub 2} tanks, including alloy composition tailoring, mechanical properties database, forming, welding, chemical milling, dissimilar metal joining, corrosion protection, completed tanks proof, and qualification testing. Mechanical properties of the parent and welded materials exceeded expectations, particularly the fracture toughness, which promise excellent reuse potential. The LO{sub 2} cryotank was successfully demonstrated in DC-XA flight tests.

• OSTI ID: 21179694
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 420; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ALUMINIUM
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
CHEMICAL MACHINING
CORROSION PROTECTION
CRYOGENICS
FRACTURE PROPERTIES
LIQUIDS
LITHIUM
LITHIUM ALLOYS
MATERIALS TESTING
NASA
OXYGEN
PERFORMANCE TESTING
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
SPACE VEHICLES
TANKS
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
TEMPERATURE RANGE 0065-0273 K
WELDING