Advantages
When used intelligently, fiber-reinforced plastics offer the potential to save weight. The aim is to align the fibers to the load conditions and only use them where they are needed. With regard to pressure vessels, these can be locally reinforced using the thermoplastic tape laying process (e.g. in the dome area) and thus save the required amount of fiber material and therefore weight.
Fiber-reinforced plastics have a high specific strength, which enables them to transfer high loads at a low weight. These high strengths are relevant, for example, for CFRP flywheel accumulators and allow high rotational speeds and therefore high amounts of energy to be stored. Furthermore, the high fiber strengths are used to store hydrogen under high pressure.
The high specific strength of fiber-reinforced plastics makes it possible to reduce the weight of components and thus also the mass inertia. This is advantageous for pressure vessels in mobility applications, for example.
In addition to their high specific strength, fiber-reinforced plastics are also characterized by their high specific stiffness. This means that deformation under load can be kept to a minimum, which is relevant in fast-rotating systems such as flywheel accumulators or rotor drums, for example, as small gaps between the rotor and stator are possible.
Process stability & control
The laser-assisted tape winding process is an in-situ process, i.e. no curing of the component is necessary after the winding process. This reduces production cycle times. Furthermore, the process allows the recording of process-relevant parameters in order to ensure the quality of the part processed.
Thermoplastic composites have very good impact properties. Furthermore, the polymers of the liner and fiber composite matrix can be adapted to each other. This creates a strong bond between the fiber reinforcement and the liner. The liner, which is often a weak point in type 4 tank systems, is thus supported. The boundaries between type 4 and type 5 tank systems become blurred.
Recyclability & sustainability
Compared to traditional materials such as steel or aluminium, fibre-reinforced composites cause lower environmental emissions, consume less energy during production and emit fewer greenhouse gases. Low environmental impact and a good carbon footprint make CFRP a genuine material of the future: constructively intelligent and sustainable. Due to the properties of thermoplastic polymers, thermoplastic composites offer very good recycling options compared to thermoset composites. Further benefits:
- Carbon fiber productions require significantly less energy to manufacture than the comparable aluminium constructions
- Fewer harmful emissions and waste products
- Longer and more ecological service life
- Downcyclable
- Use of bio-resins and natural fibers possible
- Ongoing optimization processes and further development
