Evaluation of adhesive performance under cryogenic conditions for composite tanks
摘要
In recent years, increased demand to meet requirements such as reducing the dry weight of tanks, lowering costs, and shortening production time have led to replacing metal tanks with cryogenic composite tanks. One of the main challenges with these tanks is the connection between the metal and composite components. This project investigates the bond strength between a composite dome and a metal flange. An adhesive joint was chosen as the connecting method. The temperature gradient between the inside and outside of the tank creates thermal stresses due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficients of the tank components. These thermal stresses, combined with static stresses from the fluid pressure inside the tank, put the tank components at risk of damage. Both static and thermal analyses were applied to examine the stresses generated within the tank. It was found that the stress levels in the metal and composite sections were below the yield strength of the materials. However, the stresses in the adhesive layer are considerable, potentially leading to crack formation or tank failure. Understanding the exact behavior of the adhesive layer at cryogenic temperatures is essential for a more detailed examination of materials.