Aluminum Tank Test.

Carl at FloMetrics recommended a local gentleman named Bob to help us with some aluminum welding. Tonight my son went to his shop and held things while Bob welded up an aluminum tank with our hydro formed end caps. The quality of the work was very good, and we tested the tank this evening.

The Tank details...

• Predicted Tank weight 5.6 Kg
• Actual tank weight (The end caps ar a bit less deep) 5.25Kg
• Predicted burst pressure: 558 PSI.
• Actual tank burst 495 PSI. (End cap was too thin from forming.)
  
• Calculated Tank volume disreguarding 1/2 the end cap volume to account for shallower than spherical end caps: 51.3 liters
• MR 10.78

A picture of the burst tank end:



I'm very happy with this test. This is the exact tank design that is in my vehicle model
Bob was going to weld up a pair of tanks, but I think I'm going to have him hold off on the 2nd tank until I can hydro form some heavier endcaps of slightly thicker material. So we now have working valves, and a workable tank. Next up an ignitor, thrust chamber and paperwork.