Abstract
The FRP Composites cylinder, historically developed for aero-space and military use in US, was on the public market firstly in 1976 as the high pressure air vessel for fire-man's self containing breathing apparatus (SCBA). In Japan, the FRP cylinder for SCBA has been become popular since 1987, when Teijin introduced and started to commercialize a series of cylinders of SCI (US) with the trade name of “Ultressa”.
Significant advantages of FRP cylinders are, 1) its lightness (a half of steel cylinder in weight), and, 2) its structural safety (so-called “leak before burst mode”). Physiologically favorable effect for fireman by reducing the cylinder weight was experimentally certified by T. Koto, as summarized in the paper. Nowadays, because of these advantages, almost all of SCBA cylinders supplied to fire stations changed to FRP composite one.
In response to requirement for more lighter weight, carbon fiber wrapped cylinder has been developed and coming into practical use. We look forward to being in Japanese market in near future.
