• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.592-600
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• 2007

Nowadays, researches for replacing material systems for cryotanks by composites have been being performed for the purpose of lightweight launch vehicle. In this paper, a type 3 propellant tank, which is composed of the composite developed for cryogenic use and an aluminum liner, was fabricated and tested considering actual operating environment, that is, cryogenic temperature and pressure. For this aim, liquid nitrogen (LN2) was injected into the fabricated tank and in turn, gaseous nitrogen (GN2) was used for pressurization. During this test procedure, strains and temperatures on the tank surface were measured. The delamination between hoop layer and helical one, was detected during the experiment. Several attempts were followed to investigate the cause analytically and experimentally. Thermo-elastic analysis in consideration of the progressive failure was done to evaluate the failure index. Experimental approach through a LN2 immersion test of composite/aluminum ring specimens suitable for simulating the Type 3 tank structure.

• Composites Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.9-17
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• 2008

In this paper, the low velocity impact characteristics of filament winding CFRP pressure vessel was investigated using numerical and experimental methods. The cylinder part of CFRP vessel was impacted using triangular shape impactor which simulated the sharp edge of dropping tools and impact response behavior of CFRP was reviewed. The mechanical behavior, such as deformation and stress distribution, were also predicted by explicit finite element method and the validity of the model was investigated. For the quantitative evaluation of the residual strength of the pressure vessel after impact, a series of the ring specimens was cut from the impacted vessel and its burst pressure was measured by hydraulic pressure hoop tension test. As the results, the relationship between the residual strength degradation and the impact energy was successively obtained and a useful methodology to evaluate quantitatively the impact damage tolerance of CFRP pressure vessel was established.