Rotational Molding of Thermoplastic Cryogenic Propellant Tanks

Rotational molding is a low-cost processing scheme used to fabricate large tanks, ducts, and tubes with complicated shapes. Rotational molding of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) resins was successfully demonstrated in the Phase I program, and the proposed Phase II effort will continue development of this process. LCP materials are of interest in application to cryogenic propellant storage because of their low permeability, low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), excellent strength, and chemical inertness. Development of rotationally molded LCP articles addresses the aerospace industry's need for lightweight, low-cost liners for use in propellant storage tanks and transport lines in space vehicles. LCP tanks will potentially be suitable for use with several liquid rocket propellant systems including liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen, and hydrogen peroxide.