Methods of manufacture of spin-forming blanks, particularly for fabrication of rocket domes
First Claim
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1. A method of spin-forming a dome shaped article, comprising:
- providing at least two substantially planar pieces of material having abutting edges;
friction stir welding said material pieces together along said abutting edges to form a blank suitable for spin-forming; and
spin-forming the blank into a desired article.
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Abstract
Large diameter dome tanks made of a plurality of plates friction stir welded together to form a blank and spun and/or stretched into form. The dome tanks may be for holding liquid rocket fuel. Methods of forming include friction stir welding two or more flat blanks together and spinning the combined workpiece into a hemisphere. The blanks may be sufficiently thick to enable stretching as well as spinning. Aluminum alloys may be used, and filler material may be included in thee friction stir welds to reduce grain growth and problems associated therewith in the spinning process.
112 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of spin-forming a dome shaped article, comprising:
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providing at least two substantially planar pieces of material having abutting edges;
friction stir welding said material pieces together along said abutting edges to form a blank suitable for spin-forming; and
spin-forming the blank into a desired article. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of fabricating hemispheric domes, comprising:
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providing at least two portions of material having abutting edges;
friction stir welding the two material portions together along the abutting edges to form a blank; and
spin-forming said blank into a dome. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification