Date for the paper (Experimental and numerical study of collapse of composite egg-shaped pressure housings)

The current paper investigated the collapse performance of composite egg-shaped pressure housings. The examined housings comprised carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) layers and a nylon liner, which were fabricated through filament winding and 3D printing, respectively. Two groups of egg-shaped pressure housings—nylon housings and composite housings—were designed, fabricated, tested, and analyzed. Linear eigenvalue analysis and nonlinear Riks analysis were conducted to assess their collapse performance. The experimental results were in agreement with the numerical findings. The average ultimate strength of the composite egg-shaped pressure housings was 5.98 MPa, which was 6.10 times that of the nylon egg-shaped pressure housings. Matrix compression damage occurred in the CFRP layer of the composite egg-shaped pressure housings before the housings’ ultimate strength was reached. The initial matrix compression damage appeared first in the innermost CFRP layer. As the pressure was increased, the region of matrix compression damage also expanded gradually. The CFRP layer of the composite egg-shaped pressure housings cracked when matrix compression damage occurred, leading to eventual collapse of the housings. The composite egg-shaped pressure housings had an outstanding performance ratio: 1.95 times that of nylon housings, 2.75 times that of resin housings, 1.31 times that of Q235 mild steel housings, and 1.17 times that of 304 stainless steel housings. The CFRP layer was discovered to be the primary load-bearing component within the composite egg-shaped pressure housings.