Non-dimensional assessments to estimate decompression failure in polymers for hydrogen systems

Abstract

Polymer materials subjected to gases at high-pressure can have issues during decompression. For instance, a sudden decompression can promote the formation of cavities inside the material. This phenomenon is known as cavitation or eXposive Decompression Failure (XDF). There is a body of scientific articles discussing different aspects of cavitation phenomenon, which indicate that the degree of damage is proportional to saturation pressure, depressurisation rate, and material thickness, among other parameters. In this article we propose a general approach by non-dimensional parameters to estimate the risk of cavitation. Numerical results were validated with bibliographic evidence of cavitation in polymers, for both thermoplastics and elastomers. Present results can be used as guidelines for design of systems involving polymers under high pressure, such as o-rings or liners in type IV hydrogen containers.