PROALSTEEL

Starting point / motivation

Parts of metal compensators composed of stainless steel and aluminium which, will be used in cryogenic pipes of carrier rockets for balancing of thermic changes in length and movements (vibrations). These compensators are subjected to a corrosive environment (moist tropical climate) until the launch phase. Therefore corrosion coatings shall protect these parts. For a combination of steel and aluminium (welded structures) coating systems shall be developed. To prevent the pitting of the aluminium in the transition zone a suitable corrosion protection coating shall be found.

Contents and goals

Current state of the art corrosion protection layers for this application are based on Cr(VI)-compounds, which should no longer be used in future due to health and environmental concerns.

Alternative coatings for welded parts consisting of stainless steel and aluminium shall be found in the scope of this project. To provide pitting corrosion of the aluminium in the welded transition zone, a suitable corrosion protection coating shall be developed.

Methods

The aim of this work is to assess the possibility of using Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) for a combination of steel and aluminium (welded structure) which can be used in pipe of tanks of liquid propellants and other components of the Satellite Launch Vehicle.

Expected results

PEO coatings with/without corrosion inhibitors as corrosion protection shall be developed. Aluminium alloys such as AA 1050 or/and AA 6061 T6 and stainless steel alloys (AISI 304 or/and AISI 316L) will be used in this project.

Coordinator

CEST - Centre for Electrochemistry and Surface Technology Gmbh

CEST - Centre for Electrochemistry and Surface Technology Gmbh
TFZ - Wiener Neustadt
Viktor-Kaplan-Strasse 2
Bauteil A, 2nd floor
A-2700 Wr. Neustadt
Web: cest.at