Technology Outline (Process Description)

We are working on non-metallic (plastic) liner made of composites that is encased in carbon fiber. When using the continuous fiber reinforcement (CFR) method, two different kinds of materials—polymeric filament and fiber are combined to improve the mechanical characteristics. During the 3D printing process using the CFR technology, the fiber is introduced to the poly- mer matrix. The application of Type IV cylinder in real life such as Laboratory and Scientific, Aerospace, UAV and Military, Healthcare, Industrial – Portable, Breathing Apparatus, Fuel cell applications and etc. In view of that we have done the me- chanical tests, such as three-point bending test, tensile test and interlaminar shear test, of our printed cylinders to character- ize the mechanical properties of the printed PLA, ABS, CFRABS (Carbon fibre), CFRABS (glass fibre) parts. As of now, we have printed PLA and ABS material without with and without fibre and prototypes of hydrogen storage cylinders with volumes of 0.2, 0.5, 1 litres. The thickness was kept same 5 mm, for all the cylinders.