Multiscale analysis of composite pressure vessel structures wound with different fiber tensile force

Abstract

The aim of this paper is the multiscale investigation of composite pressure vessel structures wound with varying fibre tension. The paper explores the potential of ”programming” the fibre tension force during the winding process of a high pressure hydrogen storage vessel. Two series of vessels were wound with two different tensions: Two series of vessels wound with forces of 3 N and 80 N respectively were experimentally investigated. Other technological factors, such as the type and weight of carbon fibre used, were kept constant throughout the study. Quasi-static burst tests were used to measure the elastic deformation of the vessel surface. Microscopic studies were also carried out to analyse the structure of the composite at different length scales. The fibre content, the geometric parameters of the voids and the distribution of the three main components of the composite – carbon fibre, technological defects and resin – were also determined. Representative RVE elementary cells were generated for both materials using statistical modelling. The composite was then homogenised and elasticity matrices were obtained for the fibre tensile forces in both materials.