Mechanical Property Testing of Thermoset and Thermoplastic Composites for Cryotank Applications

Lightweight cryogenic propellant storage solutions with zero or near zero boil-off represent a critical need for NASA in both aeronautics and space technology missions. Applications for composite cryogen storage tanks range from hydrogen powered aircraft to long-duration in-space and on-surface missions. Over the past several decades, NASA and industry partners have supported several notable composite cryotank development programs documenting lessons learned with respect to materials and manufacturing. This paper specifically reports the results of material screening efforts funded by both the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate and the Space Technology Mission Directorate to evaluate thermoset and thermoplastic composites for cryogen storage. Although the end applications differ, the fundamental material requirements across the two projects are the same. This paper details characterization of candidate thermoplastic and thermoset composite materials for cryogen storage, with test data generated (1) at -196°C and (2) following 100 thermal cycles between room temperature (21°C) and -196°C.