HERMETIC SEALING OF PROPELLANT CONTAINERS BY PRESSURE WELDING

Pressure welding is the joining of metallic surfaces by application of compressive force alone. No heat is applied to effect a weld by this method. Efficient joints as strong as or stronger than the metals being joined may be had. Weld area strength is actually improved as a result of the cold working. The process is limited to non-ferrous metals. However, dissimilar metals can be welded to each other. Metallurgical bonds are generally achieved if the metal surfaces to be welded are free of oxides and other contamination and sufficient pressure is used. The process was investigated as a means of hermetically sealing propellant in metal containers. Commercial smokeless powder was sealed in containers and tested for possible degradation after standard exposure tests. This report describes the procedures followed in sealing the containers and subsequent testing. (Author)