New polymorph friction-stir-welded aluminium liquid petroleum gas tank

Abstract

This paper presents the development of the new flexible polymorph liquid-petrol-gas (LPG) tank. Research has been carried out in close collaboration between Renault (France), Hydro Aluminium (Norway), and Witte van Moort (The Netherlands). The term polymorph is used here to describe a complex shape built from different simple forms. This type of tank is specifically designed to be integrated under a vehicle floor and, owing to its flexibility in design, it enables an increased range compared with conventional steel tanks. The new LPG tank is made from aluminium extruded sections, longitudinally joined by applying the friction-stir-welding process and aluminium end closures made by stamping. This allows good mechanical properties and a significant mass reduction.

Keywords

liquid-petrol-gas (LPG) tank aluminium extrusions friction stir welding

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Heurtaux

Griesemann

J. C.

Reservoir pour fluide sous pression. Pat. FR97–09732, 1997.

Heurtaux

Agencement de dispositifs d'absorption d'énergie cinétique produit par un choc sur un réservoir. Pat. F 99–07073, 1999.

Thomas

W. M.

Nicholas

E. D.

Needham

J. C.

Murch

M. J.

Dawes

C. J.

Temple-Smith

Improvements related to friction welding. Int. Pat. Applic. PCT/GB92/02203, GB Pat. Applic. 9125978.8, December 1991.

Colligan

Material flow behaviour during friction stir welding of aluminium. Welding Journal, Welding research supplement, 1999, 229–237.

Midling

O. T.

Djapic Oosterkamp

Bersaas

J. C.

Friction stir welding aluminium - process and applications. In Proceedings of the seventh International Conference on

Joints in Aluminium (INALCO98), 1998, p. S19–1-9 (Woodhead Publishing Limited, Cambridge).

Det Norske Veritas, Welding Rules for Classification of Ships; Newbuildings; Materials and Welding, Part 2, January 1994, Ch. 3.

Djapic Oosterkamp

Emmerhoff

O. J.

Midling

O. T.

Friction stir welding of aluminium extrusions. In Recent Advances in Welding Simulation, IMechE Seminar Publication 2000–13, 2000, 79–88 (Professional Engineering Publishing Limited, London).

Economic Commission for Europe, Regulation No. 67, Equipment for Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Part 1, Specific Equipment of Motor Vehicles Using Liquefied Petroleum Gas in Their Propulsion System; Annex 10, Provisions Regarding the Approval of LPG container, Annex 15, Test Procedures, Addendum 66, Revision 1, 2000.