Carbon Fibre in Pressure Vessels
topic
Type III (metallic liner + carbon overwrap) and Type IV (plastic liner + carbon overwrap) pressure vessels for hydrogen storage (700 bar, 5.6 wt% hydrogen capacity), CNG vehicles (250 bar), SCUBA tanks, and industrial gas storage. Carbon fibre enables: 3× pressure capacity vs. steel at same weight, or 70% weight reduction at same pressure. Filament winding with epoxy matrix, helical and hoop patterns optimized for burst strength >1500 bar.
Role
Carbon fibre pressure vessels critical for hydrogen economy (fuel cell vehicles, storage, transport) and breathing apparatus, with growing demand from hydrogen infrastructure build-out (projected 50,000+ tonnes carbon fibre annually by 2035).