High pressure cylinders from lightweight, cost competitive, advanced composite materials

09-Jul-10

High pressure cylinders for motor vehicles that use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for their propulsion can now benefit from lightweight, cost competitive, advanced composite materials. With the development of HiPer-tex™ high performance glass fibre from 3B, GASTANK Sweden AB, is now able to produce a cylinder that meets the very stringent ECE R110 regulation governing the use of type IV high pressure cylinders containing CNG for motor vehicles. CNG has risen strongly in popularity over the last few years and more than 11 million vehicles worldwide benefit from this abundant and environmentally beneficial fuel. Currently, high pressure tanks are made of steel which are extremely heavy, adding significantly to the weight of the vehicle. Alternatively, lighter weight carbon fibre composites can be used however, component cost is often prohibitive for most vehicles. HiPer-tex™ high performance fibres enable the gap between heavy weight steel and high cost, carbon fibre composites to be bridged due to its ability to deliver a comprehensive package of properties economically. This makes lighter weight, composite CNG tanks available to a much wider range of customers. This will consequently have an extremely positive impact on energy consumption and CO2 emissions as CNG continues to grow as a propulsion fuel. The CNG tank can withstand immense impacts and has extremely long term durability thanks to the high mechanical, fatigue and corrosion resistant properties of HiPer-tex™.”