Tensile Behavior of Parent-Metal and Welded 5000-Series Aluminum Alloy Plate at Room and Cryogenic Temperatures

Abstract

In recent years, large amounts of liquefied gases such as oxygen and hydrogen have been used for steelmaking and for rocket and missile propellants. Structural components which contain these liquids must often withstand high stresses at extremely low temperatures. To obtain design data for structures which will be exposed to these liquefied gases, it is necessary to evaluate the likely candidate materials at operating temperatures. Aluminum with its favorable face-centered-cubic structure has good possibilities in this field. Cryogenic properties of certain aluminum alloys have recently been determined [1–6], However, little work has been done comparing the various 5000-series alloys, especially at temperatures as low as -423°F, and almost no work has been done in evaluating plate material which could be used in construction of large storage containers for the low-temperature liquefied gases.