Research on X-Ray Digital Imaging Inspection Method of Carbon Fiber Wrapped Cylinder With Aluminum Liner for Vehicle

Abstract

The fully-wrapped carbon fiber reinforced cylinders with an aluminum liner are currently the most common high-pressure hydrogen storage tank for vehicles. However, it is difficult to detect it by traditional detection methods effectively. X-ray digital radiographic inspection technology is currently a feasible way to detect the typical defects of the winding layer and aluminum liner of the fully-wrapped carbon fiber reinforced cylinders with an aluminum liner for vehicles. In order to verify the detection ability of digital radiographic inspection for the main defects of carbon fiber wound gas cylinders with aluminum liner and to provide quantitative data of the detection ability, this paper aims at the fiber layer fracture, scratches, and pores that may occur during the use and manufacture of gas cylinders. In order to simulate the above-mentioned natural defects, the images of artificial defects were taken through the optimized transillumination parameters. The test results show that the digital radiographic inspection method can detect the axial notches, circumferential notches, oblique notches with a depth of 0.2 mm on the fiber layer, and axial and circumferential notches with a depth of 0.2 mm on the liner. Furthermore, it can also detect artificial defects such as 0.5mm fiber layer flat-bottom hole and 0.2mm depth /Φ1mm aluminum liner flat-bottom hole. This proves that digital radiographic inspection can be used for the early stage of a significant failure of the fully-wrapped carbon fiber reinforced cylinders with an aluminum liner and provides strong support for its safe use.