Effect of high temperature on burst pressure of FW CFRP/Al composite pressure vessels

Abstract

There is a risk that FW (Filament Wound) composite pressure vessel is exposed to high temperature by a fire accident of Fuel Cell Vehicles. This paper aimed to develop a method of estimating the burst pressure from the temperature and time that FW composite pressure vessel is exposed. Vessels (Type-3, Volume 2.1L, Maximum pressure 19.4MPa) were heated in the atmosphere six different thermal histories (Room temperature, 493K-1hour, 513K-1hour, 533K-1hour, 553K-1hour, 573K-1hour). Heat tests, burst tests at room temperature, fractography, cross-sectional observation of CFRP, ultrasonic testing, and stress analysis were conducted for FW composite pressure vessels. The burst pressure of the vessel (573K-1hour) decreased. Delamination was observed in the section of the vessels (497K-1hour, 513K-1hour). The higher the exposure temperature, the lower the reflection intensity of CFRP.