FIELD: process for manufacturing shells from metallic composite material used in aircraft and rocket cosmic structures. SUBSTANCE: described is magnesium-lithium base composite material which comprises carbon fiber as reinforcing element. Material matrix has laminated structure and further comprises external layers made of aluminium-lithium alloy. Layers from magnesium-lithium alloy are made with α-, (α+β)- and β- structures of solid solution. Method comprises assembling shell semiproduct, vacuum treatment, heating and impregnating reinforcing fiber through liquid phase of lithium, hot isostatic pressing and diffusion welding. Operations are carried out directly in shell semiproduct using successive and continuous methods. Device is made up of heating, vacuum treatment and pressing inert gas bleeding in systems, mandrel for forming and installing shell semiproduct, hollow post separated by air-tight partition into upper and lower part, lower and upper supporting and fixing rings. The mandrel is made in assembly. EFFECT: high characteristics of specific strength and reduced weight in aircraft and rocket-cosmic structures. 9 cl, 3 dwg, 2 tbl
