The Effect of Burning Temperature on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 6061-T6 Aluminium Alloy Rocket Motor Tube

Abstract

The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of burning temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al6061-T6 rocket motor tube. The aluminium rocket motor were performed ignition test and yielded 2.69 second of total burning time as well as 260°C maximum temperature at outside surface of rocket motor. The selected range of motor examination are 100, 300, 500, 700, and 900 mm from ignition side of tube for evaluation the microstructure and mechanical properties. The results obtained that aluminium grain size was slightly increased from ignition size to front of motor tube. The mechanical properties in the range of 100-500 mm from front of motor tube were not obviously differed from original properties. In contrast with range of 500-900 mm, the mechanical properties (ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and hardness) were gradually diminished around 6% maximum. Consequently, 6061-T6 aluminium alloy are successfully used for rocket motor tube and burning temperature plays a role on changing microstructure and mechanical properties of rocket motor tube.