Fatigue crack growth of aluminum alloy A6061-T6 in high pressure hydrogen gas and failure analysis on 35 MPa compressed hydrogen tanks VH3 for fuel cell vehicles

Abstract

In order to ensure the safety of carbon fiber reinforced tanks for 35 and 70 MPa fuel cell vehicles, it is necessary to clarify the fatigue crack growth behavior of A6061-T6 aluminum alloy for the tank liner. In this study, the fatigue crack growth tests were carried out under the conditions of test frequencies f = 0.001-10 Hz in 90 MPa (≒70 MPa×125 %) hydrogen gas, 90 MPa nitrogen gas, air and deionized water at room temperature. The fatigue crack growth rates in hydrogen and nitrogen gas at f = 1-10 Hz were lower than those in air and deionized water. However, the fatigue crack growth rates in hydrogen and nitrogen gas at f = 0.001-0.1 Hz were nearly the same as those in air and deionized water. It was found from those results that the fatigue crack growth rate was not accelerated in 90 MPa hydrogen gas. The results of fatigue crack growth tests in this study were applied to the failure analysis of 35 MPa hydrogen tanks. In JARI (Japan Automotive Research Institute), using 35 MPa hydrogen tanks, the pressure cycling tests were conducted at -40, 25 and 85°C by water or PEPF (Perfluoroalkylpolyether) under 125 % filling pressure. The tanks fractured by LBB (Leak Before Break). Increasing in the test temperature increased in the number of cycles to LBB failure. Such a behavior was predicted by the fatigue crack growth properties of A6061-T6 obtained in this study.