RIBBED BERYLLIUM TUBING EXTRUSION PROGRAM. PHASE I. Final Report
Three basic methods were employed to determine the feasibility of producing Uisted rib Be tubing. These methods were: Filled Billet Method, whereby the cross section of the beryllium extrusion billet has the same relative shape as the cross section of the extruded product desired; Shaped Tooling, where the contour of the beryllium rib is formed during the extrusion process, and the inside diameter is controlled by use of a mandrel; and Modified Filled Billet, whereby the ribs are formed as in method 1, but the ID is contoured by use of a mandrel. Twenty extrusions were made during the course of the program, producing lengths up to 13 feet. All three methods proved to be practical and each could be employed in a production process; however, the shaped die process is recommended in preference to the filled billet method for both quality and economy considerations. Inspection of the tubing, especially that produced by the shaped die method, indicates that the tubes are basically sound and that they can be reproduced with a remarkable degree of consistency. The burst test data indicate that the hoop stresses approach 100,000 psi on tubes processed in accordance with optimum procedures. Inspections by Dy-chek penetrant techniques and the helium leak detectors did not reveal any abnormalities as a result of the fabrication methods used. The required helical twist at first was scheduled into the tube as a post-extrusion operation, the tube being twisted while at an elevated temperature. It was found possible, however, to design a shaped die so that the twist could be produced during the actual extrusion, and this method now appears to offer many advantages. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Nuclear Metals, Inc., Concord, Mass.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-016607
- OSTI ID:
- 4725241
- Report Number(s):
- NMI-4950
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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