To the question of thermal joining of composite Al-B materials

Abstract

This work deals with the application of new approaches to welding production of modern light, strong, and heat-resistant metal composite materials in aeronautical and space technology. The objective of this article is to substantiate introduction of modern technology for welding composites in production, namely the development of argon-arc welding technology and the choice of equipment when using composites of the Al-B system for manufacturing the flame tube of the combustion chamber of an aircraft engine. Based on the study of technical literature and scientific publications, a short analysis of the existing technological processes for welding heat-resistant glass-ceramic composites was carried out. The problems arising in the process of welding aluminum composites reinforced with boron and steel fibers are considered. A modern gas tungsten arc welding based on new technological processes is offered with an example of welding in manufacturing a combustion chamber of a modern gas turbine modified engine.

Materials Used in the Combat Aviation Construction

“…The main advantage of composites with a metal matrix as compared to corresponding organic composites is the maximum working temperature, e.g., the B-Al composite (the matrix is aluminium alloy and the reinforcement are boron particles) can work at temperatures up to 510°C, whereas the organic equivalent, the B-Ep composite can only work up to 190°C (for example in the rudder of the McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender, used in the US Air Force as a flying tanker). In addition, metal composites such as Graphite-Al, Graphite-Mg, and Graphite-Cu can work at much higher temperatures, thanks to the reinforcement of metallic fibres (main rotor and tail rotor blades, fuselage fairing along its bottom edge accommodating fuel tanks in helicopters Sikorsky S-76D, Sikorsky S-92A, Sikorsky UH-60 / S-70 Black Hawk [13,14]. The leading position in military manufacturing is also held by composites based on aluminium alloys.…”

“…Aluminium composites reinforced with boron fibers were used as material for cylindrical barriers of the cargo space of a space shuttle's hull, or as the arm of the space shuttle manipulator. Aluminium booms reinforced with graphite fibers were also used for the Hubble's telescope antenna arms [13].…”

“…The confirmation consisted of isolating, in the received top layer, an SP melting zone a heat-affected zone (Figs. 11,13) and transition zones (Figs. 12, 14), i.e.…”