The NASA Aerospace Agency has published a technical bulletin to provide important recommendations for the production of aluminum alloy 2219. This alloy, which is used in key components of spacecraft, in the combustion tanks of spacecraft and in the pressurized modules of the International Space Station, will require a special approach before processing to avoid defects..

Why is alloy 2219 so polite?

2219 aluminum alloy, manufactured by Alcoa in 1954, is a high temperature material, resistant to temperatures up to 600°F (approximately 315°C). Its key advantages are excellent cryogenic power, ease of welding, plasticity and stability of mechanical characteristics both at low and high temperatures. This is due to the fact that it is widely used in the rocket and space industry, especially for the production of large-sized structures, such as fire tanks of spaceships and elements of space stations.

Problems identified: from defects to risks.

The process of producing castings of aluminum alloy 2219 is foldable and requires strict control. Incorrect casting and forging methods can lead to the appearance of microstructural defects. These defects include heterogeneity in grain size, uneven distribution of volatile elements (macrosegregation) and the presence of accumulation of intermetallic compounds.. The consequences of such deficiencies are a decrease in ductility, durability and resistance to corrosion, as well as an uneven distribution of power to the material in the end chamber.. If you want further processing, such as mechanical deformation, thermal processing and old ones, you can often correct the situation, but critical defects such as intercrystalline segregation or great intermetallic.

NASA recommendations for bone enhancement.

Technical Bulletin TB 26-07 provides specific recommendations for solving these problems. There are two key stages:.

Homogenization: This process is carried out after casting, straightening to an even distribution of copper atoms throughout the aluminum matrix. It breaks up excess phases and significantly changes the segregation of elements. NASA advocates the need to optimize homogenization parameters (temperature, hour) carefully during production. To verify the effectiveness of this step, it is recommended to use methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) or differential scan calorimetry (DSC).

Highly straightened deformation: After homogenization, the material goes through the stages of forging and rolling. These processes help to separate coarse particles, evenly distribute intermetals, cause recrystallization and creation of new grains. This will lead to a reduction in mechanical powers, a change in anisotropy (dependence of powers directly) and an increase in the fundamental reliability of components.

The inclusion of these recommendations prior to purchasing specifications will help ensure the production of high-yield 2219 aluminum alloys, which is critical to the safety and success of future space missions..

Dzherelo: NASANASA is developing the production of aluminum alloys for space missions: read new recommendations for increased reliability on the HiTech website. Expert.