Accession Number : AD0868279

Title :   Cold Welding Research

Descriptive Note : Final rept. May 1968-Sep 1969 on Experimental test program

Corporate Author : PHILCO-FORD CORP PALO ALTO CA SPACE AND RE-ENTRY SYSTEMS DIV

Personal Author(s) : Sheldon, Duncan B.

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Report Date : JAN 1970

Pagination or Media Count : 60

Abstract : During Phase 1 of this research, a small experimental contactor was used to obtain electrical contact resistance data in air and in vacuum. These data show that an electronically-pumped vacuum system can effectively simulate the vacuum of actual space: the contact resistance data obtained in vacuum was in agreement with contact resistance data obtained from two small earth satellites. During Phase 2, four solenoid valves were tested in the same electronically-pumped vacuum system used during Phase 1; the test results were compared with adhesion data generated by identical valves during space flight tests. The contacting surfaces of the valves and the experimental contactor experienced only normal stresses. In order to determine the margin before failure existing in each of the valves during the space flight tests, incrementally increasing stresses were applied to the valves' sealing surfaces. The results of Phases 1 and 2 show that cold welding in space occurs near or above the yield point of one of the surfaces. A space-flight qualification test was written.

Descriptors :   *SPACE ENVIRONMENTS, *PRESSURE WELDING, STRESSES, VACUUM, CARBIDES, RESISTANCE WELDING, TUNGSTEN COMPOUNDS, COPPER, STAINLESS STEEL, ALUMINUM ALLOYS

Subject Categories : FABRICATION METALLURGY

Distribution Statement : APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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