Pressure Vessels

The US DoD requires cylindrical and spherical pressure resistant vessels for various applications. Each service uses pressure vessels extensively in both military vehicles and land-based systems. In some applications, these vessels need to be able to resist significant externally applied hydrostatic pressure loads without implosion. The use of composite materials for these pressure vessels offers the promise of reduced corrosion, lighter weight, and life cycle cost savings. During Phase I, and in related projects, Texas Research Institute Austin, Inc. (TRI/Austin) demonstrated the feasibility of developing low cost NDE test methods that can be adapted to the evaluation of externally pressurized composite vessels. Physical characterization of constituent materials and nondestructive evaluation (NDE) will be required to determine the quality and performance characteristics of these composite pressure vessels. During Phase II, prototype composite pressure vessels will be designed, constructed, and evaluated. An open ocean implosion test will be carried out, and the resulting shock wave and pressure vessel remains will be analyzed. The design will be modified as needed, and a final prototype article fabricated. A cost analysis for the composite pressure vessels will also be prepared.