Full Description

An interpretive report prepared for the Materials Division of the Pressure Vessel Research Committee; discusses characteristics of materials available, design rules, fabrication processes and applications.

This paper reviews the properties of the aluminum alloys that are especially desirable for pressure vessels and certain chemical and processing equipment. Aluminum alloys are resistant to the chemical action of many materials and, for those materials where there is some action, the resulting products are colorless; hence, they produce no discoloration. They also show remarkable resistance to atmospheric corrosion. Aluminum alloys are nonmagnetic and nonsparking. Conductivity ratings for heat and for electricity are relatively high. Commercially available alloys suitable for pressure vessels represent a wide range of tensile strength. Ten of the alloys in the form of plates covered by ASTM Specification B178-54T have specified tensile strengths in the annealed condition ranging from 9500 to 30,000 psi. Aluminum alloys do not show a decrease in ductility with depressed temperatures as does mild steel; in fact, the tensile strength, yield strength, elongation and impact resistance of most of the alloys discussed show a distinct increase as the temperature decreases to -420F. They are readily workable and easily welded. The service record of aluminum alloys is outstandingly satisfactory. The leading producers have, as a result of many years of experimentation and experience, published much data and prepared handbooks that may be consulted for answers to specific questions.

Product Details

Published: 1956 Number of Pages: 30 File Size: 1 file , 1.7 MB