Composites Use in Pressure Vessels
High-pressure gas storage vessels represent one of the largest and fastest-growing markets for advanced composites, particularly for filament-wound carbon fiber composites. Although they are used in self-contained breathing apparatuses and provide oxygen and gas storage on aerospace vehicles, the primary end markets are for storage of liquid propane gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), renewable natural gas (RNG) and hydrogen gas (H2).
Latest Pressure Vessels Articles
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AZL Joint Partner Project to build holistic approach for TPC-driven pressure vessel design
Design, manufacturing processes and material configurations will be sought through three work packages over a 9-month period through the combined efforts of participating engineers and decision-makers.
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PHOEBUS project makes progress on CFRP liquid oxygen, hydrogen upper stage tanks
The ESA project has proven that linerless CFRP tanks for Ariane 6 rocket can handle the extreme temperatures of liquid H2 and O2, and are moving on to testing campaign for 2-meter and 3.5-meter tanks in 2026.
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Fabrum, AMSL Aero and Stralis Aircraft successfully fill LH2 composite aviation tanks
Australian/New Zealand team makes significant step forward in the transition to zero-emission aviation.
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DLR exhibits full-scale CFRP liquid hydrogen tank test item for zero-emission aviation
The German Aerospace Center Institute for Lightweight Systems exhibits 1.9-meter autoclave infusion composite structure as part of LUFO UpLift project aiming for LH2 as part of short-haul aircraft propulsion by 2040.
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Composites end markets: Pressure vessels (2025)
H2 economy is set back by Trump policies, tariffs and funding pivot to defense and AI, but composite tanks remain a key segment with sales in CNG/RNG, growth in New Space and potential for H2-electric aviation.
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Putting next-generation composite materials, processes to the test
Research at Faserinstitut Bremen’s ECOMAT site, alongside industry partners, aims to enable sustainable, aerospace-focused composites — including thermoplastic welding and cryogenic material testing.
Read MoreKnowledge Centers
The composites industry is increasingly recognizing the imperative of sustainability in its operations. As demand for lightweight and durable materials rises across various sectors, such as automotive, aerospace, and construction, there is a growing awareness of the environmental impact associated with traditional composite manufacturing processes.
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CompositesWorld’s CW Tech Days: Infrastructure event offers a series of expert presentations on composite materials, processes and applications that should and will be considered for use in the infrastructure and construction markets.
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Latest Pressure Vessels News And Updates
Market report: Composites and carbon fiber in hydrogen storage
This first-of-its-kind technical report from CompositesWorld breaks down the key economic and engineering variables influencing carbon fiber composite tanks for hydrogen-powered mobility.
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MaruHachi Corp. to develop CFRTP cryogenic rocket fuel tank
MaruHachi is selected by the Japanese government’s Space Strategic Fund, commencing joint development with University of Tokyo and Kanazawa Institute of Technology/ICC.
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Kaneka Belgium reduces Type 4 tank carbon fiber needs through CSR toughening
The company’s Kane Ace MX liquid core-shell rubber toughener has been found to increase burst strength and mechanical performance while cutting material for H2 pressure vessel production.
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Hexcel, HyPerComp debut Type 4 COPV for aerospace, space
The vessel, far along the path toward certification, demonstrates optimal fiber strength and burst pressure performance, designed to meet demanding environment needs.
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Hexagon Digital Wave provides requalification services for oilfield service company’s gas transportation fleet
Noninvasive modal acoustic emission (MAE) technology will support composite cylinder inspection for the U.S. company’s virtual pipeline trailers through 2027.
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AMSL Aero secures $3 million to progress Australian LH2 aviation
Project goals include designing LH2 refueling systems, validating power distribution and fuel measurement in flight, and gathering evidence to support future national regulatory frameworks.
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Featured Posts
Using multidisciplinary simulation, real-time process monitoring to improve composite pressure vessels
Multi-pronged approach closes the loop between design and production of Type 3, 4 and 5 pressure vessels, enabling simulation of as-built composite tanks to improve performance and storage capacity while reducing weight and cost.
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Thermoplastic composite pipes provide 59% reduction in H2 distribution CO2 emissions
Hive Composites’ multilayer thermoplastic composite pipe (TPC) design meets hydrogen permeation requirements while ensuring substantial CO2 reductions compared to conventional steel pipe systems.
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Plant tour: Hexagon Purus, Kassel, Germany
Fully automated, Industry 4.0 line for hydrogen pressure vessels advances efficiency and versatility in small footprint for next-gen, sustainable composites production.
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Composites end markets: New space (2025)
Composite materials — with their unmatched strength-to-weight ratio, durability in extreme environments and design versatility — are at the heart of innovations in satellites, propulsion systems and lunar exploration vehicles, propelling the space economy toward a $1.8 trillion future.
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Composite bipolar plates provide 81% improvement to hydrogen fuel cell power density
Ultra-thin CFRTP plates developed by Hycco achieve a 7.5 kilowatt/kilogram power density, high durability for fuel cells in long-flight drone and heavy-mobility applications.
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Development of a composite liquid hydrogen tank for commercial aircraft
Netherlands consortium advances cryogenic composites testing, tank designs and manufacturing including AFP, hybrid winding, welding of tank components and integrated SHM and H2 sensors for demonstrators in 2025.
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FAQ: Pressure Vessels
What are the types of pressure vessels?
You may see pressure vessels or storage tanks listed as one of various numbered “Types.”
Pressure vessels are organized into five types:
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- Type I: All-metal construction, generally steel.
- Type II: Mostly metal with some fiber overwrap in the hoop direction, mostly steel or aluminum with a glass fiber composite; the metal vessel and composite materials share about equal structural loading.
- Type III: Metal liner with full composite overwrap, generally aluminum, with a carbon fiber composite; the composite materials carry the structural loads.
- Type IV: An all-composite construction, polymer — typically polyamide (PA) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) liner with carbon fiber or hybrid carbon/glass fiber composite; the composite materials carry all the structural loads.
- Type V: Linerless, all-composite construction.
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Do composites have a role in the hydrogen economy?
For years, composites have offered lightweight storage of compressed hydrogen (H2) gas for zero-emission, fuel cell-powered vehicles via Type IV tanks comprising plastic liners wrapped with carbon fiber and epoxy resin. Though H2 has long promised a sustainable source of clean energy, until recently, progress was slow.
As the market continues to grow, demand for Type IV tanks continues to increase, with new technologies in development.
Follow CompositesWorld’s continuing hydrogen market coverage for the latest.
Source: The potential for hydrogen to fuel composites growth