DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF COMPOSITE PRESSURE TUBE

An Axi-symmetric full diameter opening composite pressure tube (out of E – glass fiber and epoxy matrix), is designed by Classical Lamination Theory (CLT) approach, and analyzed by ANSYS.  Reasons for the chosen materials and process, are presented.  Due material characterization (mechanical) has been done on Bi-directional E-Glass fabric laminates and hoop wound E - glass roving, as per ASTM standards.

Existing “Drum winder”, together with a mandrel designed and fabricated out of steel, has been used to realize the Composite pressure tube, with designed BD fabric and Roving plies. The tube is examined by NDE methods such as Coin tapping test, “Dry-scan ultra-sonic” and “X – Ray radiography”, for voids and they are plotted. The Pressure tube is tested for hoop tensile strength and hoop stress, with duly designed test fixture incorporating a rubber bladder, in view of the permeable nature of the composite when exposed to pressurized fluids directly.