On Tue, 22 Jul 2003, Alex Fraser wrote:
> Would a glued low pressure tank work?
The only real answer to that is "it could". Depends on details, like just
how low is low, and like what's in it.
> And what skills and technologies must you master to build one.
Using industrial epoxies, probably. Surface preparation, epoxy storage,
epoxy mixing, application, clamping, curing. And there's the question of
propellant compatibility, especially for the oxidizers.
> Would gluing it be easier or better than
> using rivets? Why would gluing be better than welding?
In principle, it's better than welding because it's a low-temperature
process -- easier to do, less time-critical, more forgiving, and doesn't
mess up any heat treatment of the metal.
Riveting is heavy, adds stress concentrations, and doesn't (by itself)
give you a liquid-tight joint.
The downside of gluing is that quality control of highly-stressed glued
joints is tricky. Full proof-testing is indicated -- that is, hydro-test
all flight tanks to significantly above their normal working pressure.
Henry Spencer
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