Properties improvement of composite layer of cryo-compressed hydrogen storage vessel by polyethylene glycol modified epoxy resin

Abstract

The composite layer of cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH2) storage vessel is subjected to combined action of cryogenic temperate (CT) and high pressure, resulting in the failure of matrix. Herein, the transverse mechanical properties of composites were proved that plays a dominant role in the vessel through theoretical analysis, and epoxy resin was modified by polyethylene glycol 600 (PEG 600) to obtain high strength and toughness at CT. Subsequently, the composites prepared from modified resins were applied to the design of the vessel. The results demonstrate that the modified epoxy resin maintains high strength of 73.38 MPa while reducing elastic modulus by 45.31%. The 3 wt% PEG 600 modifier reduces winding plies by 32.65% and increases the utilization rate of carbon fiber strength by 50.69%. Conventional mechanical properties of carbon fibers can be employed in CcH2 storage vessel design, with only a 6.06% increase in winding plies while preserving higher safety.