Friction Stir Welding & EB welding of Al-Li alloys for Demisable Spacecraft Propellant Tanks

TWI has developed a programme of work for Airbus Defence and Space, to assist with the definition of a preliminary development plan of research work aimed at the application of Friction Stir Welding (FSW) & Electron Beam Welding (EBW) techniques to third generation Al-Li alloys, for the manufacture of future demisable spacecraft propellant tanks.

The FSW and EBW trials on 3mm thick AA2060 alloy in the T3 and T8 conditions will be presented, which show encouraging results for both processes based on the welding parameters reviewed to date, along with some mechanical test and NDE data to support the welding trials. The European Space Agency is looking at plans to develop a larger programme of work to optimise the welding of Al-li alloys for future spacecraft propellant tank manufacture.