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Results of collective works
Use of the Friction Stir Welding process on pressure equipment made of aluminium alloys
Some industrial manufactures have found that there is a lack of technical information regarding manufacturing unfired pressure equipment made of aluminium alloys. One company, which already manufactures tanks using these alloys, including alloys with age hardening, is now interested in designing tanks for the transportation of liquefied gas, as well as fuel tanks for land vehicles and aircraft. To this end, they want to use alloys EN AW 2050, 2065, 2098, 2195, 2196, 2198, and 2297. However, this series entails problems when using electrical arc welding processes, including hot cracking. It seems that this problem can be overcome using Friction Stir Welding, the main advantage being that the welded joint can be obtained in the softened state at temperatures lower than the melt temperature, thereby preventing hot cracking phenomena and minimising any loss of mechanical properties. Nonetheless, the absence of recommendations regarding the use of these alloys in the specific context mentioned in the various European standards applicable to the design and manufacture of pressure equipment (CODAP and NF EN 13445 and 13480 series) complicates such a development. The aims of this study (9Q408) have therefore been to reference the different criteria recommended for these materials under the CODAP (PED and standards), list the aluminium alloys with age hardening that meet these requirements, provide technical information on the properties relative to Friction Stir Welding, provide additional information to the existing standards, and, last, determine whether other manufacturing operations have any impact on the possibility of including these alloys in the CODAP.
Authors : David Plélan and Dominique DEVEAUX, Cetim
Updated 03/22/2021
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9Q408 - Use of the Friction Stir Welding process on pressure equipment made of aluminium alloys
