Manufacturing Titanium and Al-Li Alloy Cryogenic Tanks

Abstract

This study presents manufacturing cryogenic tanks for aerospace applications. Since most high strength aerospace alloys like titanium alloys and Al-Li alloys exhibit low formability due to low ductility and work hardening, superplastic forming technology is applied to manufacture hemispherical shapes. Superplasticity is the ability of materials to deform plastically to show very large amount of strains. Advantages of superplastic forming technology include its design flexibility, low tooling cost and short leading time to produce. In this study, various manufacturing processes, like superplastic forming, diffusion bonding, laser beam welding and friction stir welding, are applied to manufacture titanium and aluminum cryogenic tanks. Using these technologies in manufacturing process makes the aerospace components lighter and stiffer, with efficient energy and cost saving.

Homogenization heat treatment influence on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of as-cast Al–Li–Cu–Mg–Zr alloy for lightweight aerospace application

“…In recent decades, Al–Li alloys have gained a place in aerospace materials panoply as lightweight materials with relatively good mechanical properties [ 1 ]. These alloys have found applications in aircraft wings, space rocket oxygen tanks, and plane floor beams [ [2] , [3] , [4] ]. Binary Al–Li alloys exhibit a 6 %–8 % increase in elastic modulus while reducing density by 3 % for every 1 % addition of lithium [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Friction Stir Processing of Additively Manufactured Ti-6Al-4V Alloy: Structure Modification and Mechanical Properties

“…Due to their physical and mechanical properties, titanium alloys are used in aircraft, spacecraft and automotive industries [1][2][3]. For example, titanium and its alloys manufacture airframes, high-pressure spherical tanks, rotors, gas turbine and fan blades and other products [4][5][6][7]. Recently, various additive manufacturing methods are often used to manufacture parts from different materials, which significantly reduce lead time and decrease raw material costs by producing near-net-shaped products [8].…”