Handbook guides selection of construction materials for liquids and gases used in rockets and spacecraft. Methods of design, fabrication, post-fabrication treatment, nondestructive testing, and repair are described in detail

Campbell, R. L.

Koehler, M. L.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

September 1969	 Brief 69-10279 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U.S. space program, 
to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public at 15 cents each 
from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Handbook for Design of Containers of

Fluids and Gases for Spacecraft 
.
.
This handbook is intended to guide engineers in 
selection of construction materials for design and 
fabrication of containers for liquids and gases used 
in rockets and spacecraft; it may also interest those 
concerned with the storage or transportation of 
chemicals. 
The materials to be contained include liquid or 
gaseous oxygen, special fuels, halogen compounds, 
white fuming nitric acid, and many other chemical 
propellants. For these materials it is recommended 
that the containers be constructed of either one of 
five aluminum alloys, one of two titanium alloys, 
Inconel-718, one of eight ferrous alloys, or a fiber-
glass-epoxy composite. General procedures in the 
screening of such construction materials are outlined, 
and the effects of fabrication processes on their prop-
erties are considered. 
Methods of design, fabrication, post-fabrication 
treatment, nondestructive testing, and repair are 
described in detail. Limitations on duration of storage 
and special precautions regarding proximity of other 
materials stored nearby are prescribed. 
Choice of construction materials was guided by 
the following considerations: whether gas or liquid
was to be contained, the anticipated histories of tem-
perature and pressure, the environments of storage 
and mission, the volume tobe contained, the space 
available for the container, weight, and whether or 
not the system was to be man-rated. Cost also was a 
factor, but less so than it would be in commerce; 
mission environment would not be a factor in com-
merce, and the different requirements regarding 
weight, volume, and capacity would cause great 
changes in design, choice of construction materials, 
and method of fabrication. 
Note: 
Documentation is available from: 
Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific 
and Technical Information 
Springfield, Virginia 22151 
Price $3.00 
Reference TSP69-1 0279 
Source: M. L. Koehler and R. L. Campbell of

The Boeing Company
under contract to

Marshall Space Flight Center

(MFS-20502) 
Category 05 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States	 will be free from privately owned rights.
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Handbook for design of containers of fluids and gases for spacecraft

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