Finite element modelling of thermoplastic matrix composite gas cylinders

Abstract

Continuous glass/polypropylene (GF/PP) commingled fiber tapes were employed to produce wrapped pressure gas vessels for domestic applications by using filament winding. The vessel structural-wall was built using a hybrid solution consisting in a very thin steel liner over wrapped by the filament wounded GF/PP commingled fiber tape layers. FEM analysis was used to evaluate if the composite gas pressure vessel based on the hybrid solution (steel linerþglass fiber reinforced thermoplastic) is capable to withstand the following pressure requirements: the metallic liner, alone, a minimum burst pressure of 4MPa and whole hybrid composite vessel minima internal test and burst pressures of 3MPa and 6.75 MPa, respectively. Finally, gas pressure vessel prototypes manufactured in industrial cycle conditions were submitted to burst pressure tests to prove that they accomplish all European standard strength requirements.