SAMPE Journal - January/February 2013 - (Page 5)

A Note from the Technical DirecTor Dr. Scott W. Beckwith SAMPE Journal Technical Editor swbeckwith@aol.com “Composite Pressure Vessels for the Automotive and Domestic Market” Two recent events have highlighted the strong interest and growth of applications using composite pressure vessel technology in rapidly growing markets. The first was Gardner Publication’s CompositesWorld 2012: Materials, Markets and Manufacturing Conference, held alongside SAMPE Tech 2012 in Charleston, SC, while the other event was the Composite Pressure Vessel Symposium in Salt Lake City, UT on December 4-6th. Both events noted the strong market growth in composites and plastics technologies for both automotive and domestic applications that involved pressure vessel and cylinder technology operations. In the case of automotive areas, compressed natural gas (CNG) pressure vessel technology was at the top of the list. Dr. Sanjay Mazumdar (Lucintel) noted that composites have only made an in-road into the transportation market equivalent to about 1 percent, with cylinders made from steel and aluminum still holding the vast majority. Glass fiber composites used within the car interiors and shell structures show the best chance for early market entry into the automotive industry in terms of SMC, RIM, injection molding, and compression molding. Carbon fiber composites will have an opportunity in fuel cylinder applications because of the more stringent CAFÉ requirements to achieve a 34.1 mpg car (industry-wide fleet) by 2016. In order to meet such a requirement, lighter weight, carbon fiber composites, while more costly, will be required to a greater extent in order to meet weight reduction targets. Fuel efficiency, driven by advances in technologies associated with composite pressure vessel developments (CNG cylinders) will also be part of the solution. For the rocket scientists that grew out of the late 1950’s and 1960’s as filament winding technology developed, CNG and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pressure vessel technology has become a globally relevant product for reducing weight, for convenient handling in transportation applications as well as providing a cleaner fuel system. The recent CPV Symposium discussions centered around the rapid global CNG growth rates for the current categories of composite CNG cylinders which are exhibiting roughly a 6 percent annual increase over the last 5-6 years. Further acceleration is predicted as the lighter weight carbon fiber (plastic lined, Type IV) cylinders come on line, replacing glass fiber cylinders. As an example of the growth, NGV’s annual growth rate over the past 6 years was significant: for example, Iran (66%), China (51%) ,India (27%) and Argentina (5%). LPG cylinders, used in both automotive and domestic applications, also have shown similar growth patterns worldwide. Certification and qualification standards are undergoing serious scrutiny in order to assure full safety compliance within the industries producing and using CNG and LPG pressure vessels. A recent presentation by Michael Olson (Optimum Composite Technologies) reviewed the published CNG standards for Type IV CNG cylinders. There are currently a number of extensive reviews being conducted that are meant to revise existing standard and reflect pragmatic qualification tests due to the increased interest as the composites manufacturers adjust to strong production growth. Presently many of the standards have been generated by ISO/CEN. Some standards require conducting a 0.30 caliber bullet penetration test on a CNG cylinder are required by ISO11439 and NVG2 standards but not the FMVSS304 standard. At the same time, one wonders why such a test, previously relevant to military aircraft where 0.30 caliber bullets might be more the “norm”, would be required for automobiles driven on public highways. Tests which are often written into standards for other reasons (military applications) are quite often most difficult to later although appearing to be quite impractical. SAMPE Journal, Volume 49, No. 1, January/February 2013 5

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SAMPE Journal - January/February 2013

SAMPE Journal - January/February 2013
Contents
President's Message
Technical Director's Corner
Materials & Products
Welcome SAMPE’s Newest Members
SAMPE LinkedIn Communities
SAMPE 2013|Long Beach
SAMPE Proceedings
Perspectives
Europe News & Views
SAMPE Journal Editorial Calender
SAMPE Europe’s SEICO 2013, Paris, France
SAMPE Europe’s SETEC 13 Wuppertal, Germany
Corporate Partners
Industry News
The SAMPE Foundation
SAMPE Tech 2012-A Review
SAMPE Tech 2012-Photo Gallery
SAMPE Tech 2013|Wichita, KS Call for Papers
SAMPE China 2012-A Review
SAMPE China-Photo Gallery
Advertiser’s Index
Resource Center
SAMPE Membership Application
SAMPE Books & CD’s Order Form
Industry Events Calendar
Chapter Contacts

SAMPE Journal - January/February 2013