Project Report for Final Semester of B. Tech (Mechanical Engineering) K.

AKSHAY (04311A0357), (2007-2008)

Department of Mechanical Engineering. Sreenidhi Institute of Science And Technology, (Affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad) Yamnampet, Ghatkesar, R.R.District, A.P.-501301.

Establishment of Process Parameters in the Production of Seamless Rocket Motor Tubes Using Flow Forming
ABSTRACT The thin walled seamless, high precision tubes are produced by Progressive, continuous and localized deformation. The present work is carried out on the production of ROCKET MOTOR TUBE on flow forming machine. Rocket motor tubes are generally used as pressure vessels in various missiles. It encases the propellant and plays a vital role in missile thrust technology. The tube is supposed to withstand high temperatures and pressures and should have high mechanical properties. The aim of this work is to study the effect of various parameters like roller radius, stagger, hardness, feed rate and speed of the rollers on the final flow formed tube of dimensions at different reduction rates on the flow forming process of rocket motor tube for pressure vessel application in aerospace engineering and missile technology in mechanical engineering. The material chosen for this study is SAE 4130 Steel. Ovality of the tubes, straightness, mean diameter, surface finish and thickness variation are to be studied for obtaining better geometry, thickness and mean diameter. For hollow metal components that require high precision economy and flexibility flow forming has some unique benefits that will help you accomplish design objectives an advanced form of spinning and flow forming has been used for years in military and aerospace industries to produce precise thin walled seamless rocket motor, missile casings, nose cones, rocket housings and more recently cartridge cases. The process is also now used in other applications where there is a need for hollow symmetrical shapes with relatively close tolerance control, variable wall thickness and profile, improved tensile strength and superior inside surface finishes. Flow forming is the only metal forming process that allows the flexibility to vary the wall thickness to produce thicker and thinner sections in any combination. The flow forming is basically classified as forward flow forming and reverse flow forming depending upon the direction of material flow and in this work the process is Reverse flow forming.