Nasa, in partnership with Lockheed Martin Space Systems and MT Aerospace, has developed the new full-scale friction stir-welded and spun-formed tank dome, for use in large liquid propellant tanks.
The friction stir welding is a solid-state joining process, while spin forming is a metal working process used to form symmetric parts.
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
MT Aerospace has used the twin processes to develop an 18ft-diameter tank dome using high-strength 2195 aluminum-lithium.
The dome’s diameter matches the tank dimensions of the upper stage of the Ares I launch vehicle as well as the central stage of the European Ariane V launcher.
Patented by MT Aerospace, the concave net shape spin-forming process simplifies the manufacturing process of large tank domes and reduces cost by eliminating machining and assembly welding steps required in traditional manufacturing process.
A flat plate blank, made of the 2195 alloy and constructed by friction stir welding together two commercial off-the-shelf plates, has been used to manufacture the spherical tank dome.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataAs part of the two-year technology demonstration programme, the team will manufacture and test two additional, full-scale development tank domes in the coming months.
