Products

Overview : Elastic Memory Composite (EMC) Material : Electrical Insulation : Composite Pressure Vessels : CryoCoat™ Thermal Insulation : CryoBond™ Adhesives & Coatings : High Temperature Heaters

KIBOKO® Lightweight Pressure Vessels and Cryogenic Tanks

KIBOKO® linerless composite (Type V) pressure vessels and cryogenic tanks are providing cost-effective, lighter weight storage solutions for a variety of markets and applications. Weight savings of 15% to 25% over metal lined, Type III, composite tanks and up to 50% over Type I, all metal, tanks can be realized with KIBOKO technology. Using a unique set of micromechanics models, CTD has created a new family of KIBOKO® toughened, microcrack resistant resins. When properly manufactured into a fiber reinforced composite laminate, these novel resin systems and optimized engineering designs enable the production of cost-effective, microcrack resistant, light weight linerless composite pressure vessels and cryogenic tanks.

Markets such as space and aerospace, where weight is paramount, are embracing KIBOKO® tanks as an exciting new alternative. CTD has delivered the first-ever linerless composite pressure vessel qualified for spaceflight. In addition KIBOKO® technology has been shown to be an enabling technology for lightweight composite cryogenic tanks for launch vehicle and other applications. Furthermore, KIBOKO™ pressure vessels are being qualified for use in automotive, aircraft, emergency safety, and medical applications with operating pressures up to 5000 psi.

 

KIBOKO Pressure Vessel Integrated into Air Force 'FASTRAC' Satellite	KIBOKO Linerless Composite Pressure Vessels

KIBOKO® Materials

KIBOKO® materials are key to the success of Type V pressure vessels and cryogenic tanks. Based on a new family of toughened resins developed by CTD for filament winding and fiber placement manufacturing processes, the microcrack resistance performance of KIBOKO® materials far exceeds that of industry-standard materials. Test results show that KIBOKO® materials microcrack at significantly higher strain levels, at both room and cryogenic temperatures, than do industry standard materials. This increased toughness enables linerless tanks made with KIBOKO® resins to achieve higher design-operating strains, which results in lower tank dry mass.

 

KIBOKO® toughened resin systems provide higher strain to initiate microcracking than industry-standard materials at room and cryogenic temperatures

CTD's expertise in the mechanics of composites, development of novel materials, and innovative manufacturing technologies has led the way for advancements in linerless composite pressure vessels and cryogenic tanks. CTD has developed a unique analysis package to predict microcrack accumulation and identify potential leakage paths in KIBOKO® linerless tanks. In addition, CTD has performed analytical studies of thermal-fatigue behavior in KIBOKO® materials, and have developed fatigue-failure models to help guide the design of linerless composite tanks subjected to cyclic mechanical or thermal loading. Predictions from the analysis have been validated against actual test results and have been shown to be effective in improving tank reliability and minimizing weight.

 

CTD advanced finite element analysis tool can accurately predict the structural performance of linerless composite pressure vessels.

CTD has developed novel manufacturing technologies that enable the superior performance of KIBOKO materials to be realized in pressure vessels performance. Key techniques include non-autoclave curing of the composite tanks, hermetic-interface technology to join the composite shell to metallic fitting, and the ability to cost-effectively attach KIBOKO® tanks to other structures. Results of CTD's developments have shown that these patent-sensitive technologies can be applied in synergy with KIBOKO® resin materials and CTD's designs to provide highly attractive storage solutions for a variety of pressure vessel and cryogenic tank applications.

KIBOKO® linerless composite tank manufacturing technologies