The Cryogenic Impact Resistant Evaluation of Composite Materials for Use in Composite Pressure Vessels with an Additional Cryogenic Bonding Scope

The intent of the proposed effort is to investigate the detailed composite material performance characteristics after being subjected to cryogenic temperatures and impact damage. HyPerComp Engineering, Inc. (HEI) and Utah State University (USU) further propose to correlate these characteristics to composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) and demonstrate the correlation through actual COPV testing. This will result in a safer, more reliable design for high performance COPVs in a cryogenic environment. HEI and USU also propose to study the cryogenic bond necessary between composites and aluminum for thin walled aluminum lined COPVs to prevent the buckling of the aluminum during depressurization. This intent will be demonstrated by actual pressure vessel testing.