I have an extruded aluminum tube. I'm trying to come up with an Excel calculator that will help me find out how much force would be exerted on the internal walls if the tube was filled with rubber, and then sent through a vulcanization process; failing that, I'd like to learn how to calculate the hoop stresses that the tube should be able to withstand, with the assumption that the structure of the tube was perfect (weld seams, free of voids, and such).
I know all of the dimensions and mechanical properties of the tube (below); however, absolutely nada! for rubber; much less vulcanized rubber. This is an extruded tube, not rolled and welded. The weld seams I mention above are solid-state welds, fused in the welding chamber of a porthole extrusion die, while under tremendous pressure and at a temperature of about 1,000f. If it makes any difference, the extrusion die has 5-ports so, there are 5 seam-welds approx. 72 degrees apart that travel the length of the tube.
Meet the victim:
- 6061 aluminum alloy tube produced utilizing port-hole extrusion.
- Artificially aged to T6 temper
- Yield Strength = 36.2 ksi
- Ultimate Tensile Strength = 40.0 ksi
- Length = 3.0"
- Outside Diameter = 3.150", with 0.008" ovality
- Wall Thickness = 0.118" with 0.004" wall spread
- I'll also say that I can routinely expand the diameter by 15%+ via drift-tests
If you can help me, I'll add you to the liner-notes on my upcoming record release; it's been in the works for ten years so, we've got time.