Finite Element Analysis Based Reliability Analysis of Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel With Secondary Aluminum Layer

Abstract

The design, manufacture, and test of a high performance composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) utilizing an aluminum liner is described. Composite materials are increasingly intruding into every aspect of design. Lightweight and high strength to weight ratio makes them ideal candidates for materials. The vessel is unique in that the liner and advantages of their excellent corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance, COPVs are commonly used for applications such as deep-sea and space missions, gas storage vessels etc. The vessel is overwrapped with high performance carbon fiber impregnated with an epoxy resin which exhibits a complex overall material orthotropy. The material property changes due to fiber realignment when COPV is under intense operational load. The material properties and load dependent variations are difficult to obtain by experimental method. So finite element simulation method often conducted by designer and researcher to gain insight into mechanical behavior of COPV.