The Application of Carbon Fiber Composites in Cryotank

Abstract

To meet the design goal for lightweighting the next-generation launch vehicles, carbon fiber reinforced polymeric-based composites are being explored for cryogenic fuel tank applications. The applications of carbon fiber composites in liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX) fuel tanks were introduced in this chapter. The materials, processing, and design of DC-XA LH2 tank, X-33 LH2 tank, SLI LH2 tank, and CCTD Program tank were discussed. Lockheed Martin LOX tank and Space X LOX tank were introduced. Technology development, materials development, and development trend of cryogenic fuel tanks were discussed. Thin-ply hybrid laminates and out-of-autoclave tanks are projected for future space missions.

Imperfection-insensitive continuous tow-sheared cylinders

“…Compared to the QI laminate-the optimal straight-fibre laminate configuration [46]-the CTS laminates rarely approach more than 60% of the QI buckling load on a mass and thickness normalised basis 1 . The buckling load alone does not tell the full story however, as the main aim of CTS designs in this study is to increase the imperfection insensitivity of the cylinders.…”

“…The largest percentage (60-70%) of the dry mass of heavy launch vehicles is made up by the fuel and oxidizer tanks [1]. Using composite materials instead of current generation Li-Al fuel tanks may save up to 30% in mass and 25% in recurring manufacturing costs [2].…”

On the Multidisciplinary Design of a Hybrid Rocket Launcher with a Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel

“…Type III and type IV vessels use composites to reduce weight and increase compressed gas storage efficiency in the aerospace industry [16,17]. Type V vessels have great potential to further increase storage efficiency in the transportation and aerospace industries but are still in development and present several design and production challenges to industrialise [18,19] and incorporate into the market. However, there are additional challenges for type V COPVs to be used in the storage of liquid cryogenic substances [20,21].…”

Fracture failure analysis and prevention of carbon fiber thin wall crossbar

“…The rod is of thin-walled and large-curvature structure, and the defects have a great impact on the performance of the rod [9][10] . The contact pulse ultrasonic non-destructive testing method used at the time of delivery can detect the possible delamination defects, debonding, cracking, and dispersion defects in the rod, but its detection accuracy, comprehensiveness, and effectiveness largely depend on the operation of the tester.…”