Polyamide Resin Composition for High-Pressure Hydrogen Tanks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional polyamide resin compositions for hydrogen tanks suffer from hydrogen permeation, absorption, and poor weld properties when exposed to repeated charging and discharging of high-pressure hydrogen, leading to potential failure points and reduced mechanical integrity.

Innovation Solution

A polyamide resin composition comprising polyamide 6 resin combined with a specific polyamide resin having a melting point not higher than polyamide 6 resin + 20°C and a cooling crystallization temperature higher than polyamide 6 resin, along with an impact modifier, to enhance crystallization rate and weld properties, thereby reducing hydrogen permeation and absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional polyamide resin compositions are used for hydrogen tanks, then the tanks can be manufactured with basic structural integrity, but the resin undergoes deformation or breakage with repeated charging and discharging of high-pressure hydrogen due to hydrogen permeation and absorption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to failure pointsVSAvoidhydrogen permeation and absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the polyamide resin by controlling the molecular weight distribution (specifically the weight average molecular weight and its standard deviation) and the ratio of different polyamide components. This optimization reduces hydrogen permeation and absorption while maintaining structural integrity under repeated high-pressure cycling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite resin system by combining multiple polyamide resins with different molecular weight characteristics and compositions. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of each component to achieve both low hydrogen permeation and high resistance to deformation under pressure cycling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If multipoint gate systems or metallic insert systems are used for injection molding, then production efficiency is improved, but fragile portions called welds are formed at portions where molten resin flows meet, resulting in poor appearances and reduced strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection molding efficiencyVSAvoidweld strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the molecular weight distribution parameters of the polyamide resin to control the flow and fusion characteristics of molten resin during injection molding. This enables the formation of strong welds even when using multipoint gate systems, eliminating the trade-off between productivity and weld strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition achieves improved weld properties and resistance to failure points, ensuring the molded article's integrity under repeated high-pressure hydrogen exposure, with enhanced crystallization rate and heat cycle resistance.

Implementation Method 1

a polyamide resin (B) having a melting point, as determined by DSC, that is not higher than a melting point of the polyamide 6 resin (A) + 20°C and a cooling crystallization temperature, as determined by DSC, that is higher than a cooling crystallization temperature of the polyamide 6 resin (A)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 2

hydrogen, for its small molecular size, readily permeates through the resins as compared, for example, to natural gas, which has a relatively large molecular size, and high-pressure hydrogen, as compared to hydrogen at atmospheric pressure, may be accumulated in the resins in larger amounts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP3112421B1Polyamide resin composition for molded article to be in contact with high-pressure hydrogen, and molded article obtained therefrom
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 TORAY INDUSTRIES INC
  • EP3112421B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)

AI summary

A polyamide resin composition for a molded article exposed to high-pressure hydrogen contains a polyamide 6 resin (A) and a polyamide resin (B) having a melting point, as determined by DSC, that is not higher than a melting point of the polyamide 6 resin (A) + 20°C and a cooling crystallization temperature, as determined by DSC, that is higher than a cooling crystallization temperature of the polyamide 6 resin (A), the polyamide resin (B) being in an amount of 0.01 to 5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the polyamide 6 resin (A). Provided is a polyamide resin composition that can provide a molded article having excellent weld properties and less likely to suffer failure points despite repeated charging and discharging of high-pressure hydrogen.