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Permeability and Bulge Setup

Material Properties

For the development of linerless composite tanks for liquified gases, it is vital to characterize bulge and permeability properties under cryogenic conditions.
Cross-section view of the 450mm permeability test setup – KRP Mechatec
Cross-section view of the 150mm permeability test setup – KRP Mechatec
Open 150mm permeability setup showing sample holder

Cryogenic Permeability Testing down to 20 K and 20 Bar

Our vacuum isolated permeability setups can be cooled down to -253°C (20 K) and pressurized up to 20 bar. The helium leakage rate of specimens with a diameter of either about 150 mm or 450 mm can be determined. With custom made adapter rings spherical curved membranes with various radii can be tested.
Additional sensors can be applied to the specimen. For example, strain gauges are often attached on the surface to determine bulge properties.
We can also determine the flow rate of aerogel test samples and insolation material.
Test-ready 150mm permeability setup prior to testing

Applications

  • Cryogenic permeability
  • Cryogenic flow rate
  • Temperature down to -253°C (20K) e.g. for liquid hydrogen (LH2) applications or -196 (77K) for liquid nitrogen applications (LN2) and -183°C (90K) for liquid oxygen (LOX/LO2) applications
  • Helium leakage rate through CFRP membranes
  • Pressure up to 20 bar
  • Bulge characteristics
450mm permeability setup inside the vacuum chamber

Device under Test

  • Composite membranes
  • CFRP
  • GFRP
  • Flat and complex curved membranes
  • Diameter of either 140 mm or greater than 450 mm

Frequently Asked Question

Which temperatures can be reached during permeability testing?
Our permeability and bulge setups reach temperatures down to -253°C (20K) – suitable for liquid hydrogen (LH2), liquid nitrogen (LN2), and liquid oxygen (LOX) applications.

More Test Setups