Polymer Alloy Structure for High-Pressure Hydrogen Gas Hoses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-pressure gas hoses and storage containers face issues with resistance to high-pressure hydrogen gas, as materials like polyamide and EVOH can suffer from swelling, cracking, and reduced gas barrier properties when exposed to high pressures, particularly with hydrogen gas due to its small molecular size and high solubility in resin materials.
Innovation Solution
A polymer alloy is developed, comprising a fluorinated copolymer with a carbonyl group-containing group and a thermoplastic polymer like polyamide or EVOH, which is melt-kneaded with a specific particle size distribution and composition to enhance strain hardening, gas barrier properties, and resistance to high-pressure hydrogen gas, incorporating a fiber-reinforced resin layer for added durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polyamide or EVOH is used as gas barrier layer, then gas barrier property is improved, but resistance to high-pressure hydrogen gas deteriorates due to swelling and cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite material structure consisting of a fluorinated copolymer layer and a thermoplastic polymer layer (polyamide or EVOH). The fluorinated copolymer layer provides resistance to high-pressure hydrogen gas, while the thermoplastic polymer layer provides gas barrier properties. This composite structure allows both functions to coexist without mutual interference, resolving the contradiction between gas barrier property and high-pressure resistance.
2Reliability
If multi-layered hose structure with reinforcing layer is used, then durability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the gas barrier function and the high-pressure resistance function into a single integrated polymer alloy material, rather than using separate multi-layered structures with reinforcing layers. This merging approach maintains durability while reducing structural complexity and the number of components required.
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 polymer alloy exhibits improved resistance to high-pressure hydrogen gas, maintaining gas barrier and mechanical properties over time, even under repeated pressure cycles, with reduced moisture absorption and enhanced flexibility, making it suitable for high-pressure gas hoses and storage containers.
Implementation Method 1
a fluorinated copolymer having a carbonyl group-containing group, having a melting point of 250° C. or lower, and at least one thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyamide and an ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer, immiscible with the fluorinated copolymer and having a melting point of 250° C. or lower, melt-kneaded
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a polymer alloy excellent in resistance to a high-pressure gas.A polymer alloy, having a fluorinated copolymer having a carbonyl group-containing group, having a melting point of 250° C. or lower, and at least one thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyamide and an ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer, immiscible with the fluorinated copolymer and having a melting point of 250° C. or lower, melt-kneaded,wherein the proportion of the fluorinated copolymer to the total mass of the polymer alloy is from 10 to 40 mass %, andparticles of the fluorinated copolymer are dispersed in the thermoplastic polymer, and the average particle size of the fluorinated copolymer particles in the polymer alloy is from 0.001 to 10 μm.