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Completed TRL 3 (started at 1, targeting 6)
Project Objective
The projects aims to provide torque specifications for fluid fittings threading into 316 Stainless Steel and GRCop-42.
Project Description
There are five standards for torque limits for fluid fittings available; however, they only account for one material, 316 Stainless Steel, and the standards have vastly different values. This leads to a lack of standardization across the center and does not provide knockdowns when threading into a weaker material than 316 Stainless Steel. The project will experimentally validate which standard should be used for 316 Stainless Steel torque limits and will provide guidance for torque knockdowns for GRCop-42.
This is important data especially when testing combustion chambers. GRCop-42 is a popular alloy used in combustion devices for its high thermal conductivity, but it is relatively weak compared to 316 Stainless Steel. During testing of the Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine, several fittings vibrated loose during hot fire testing which creates leaks, early cuts of test, and loss of data. Better torque data will reduce the risk of fittings vibrating out during testing and of accidently shearing the GRCop-42 threads when installing the fittings.
A previous investment at Marshall Space Flight Center yielded a state-of-the-art torque tension tester located in building 4711. This project utilizes this capability to produce data that can support testing of combustion devices and other hardware using fluid fitting immediately. The results will be released to the public via a technical memo and/or conference paper.
Project Results and Conclusions
The hardware for testing have been manufactured and is currently in quality inspection.
Produce data needed to standardize fluid fitting torques and appropriate knockdowns for weaker material across the center
Design/analysis team would include multiple orgs within ED:
- Team comprised of both SMEs and early career engineers
- Fastener/Torque SMEs transitioning knowledge and experience to younger designers and analysts.
Immediate benefits to current programs:
- Data generated can support testing at the Component Development Area and the east test areas immediately
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