Quantification of leakage damage in high-pressure fibre-reinforced polymer composite tubular vessels

Pressure-retaining structures made from fibre-reinforced polymer composites (FRPC) are increasingly being used in industrial applications. Composite pipes and vessels offer advantageous properties compared to conventional metallic components, including higher strength-to-weight ratio and superior corrosion resistance. Structures may sustain high pressurization and external loadings. Methods for analysing fibre-dominated damage modes in composites are relatively well established, which allows for the reasonable prediction of associated structural failures (e.g. burst). However, composite pipes and vessels may also be subject to so-called 'weepage' failures caused by micro-damage within the polymer matrix phase. In this contribution, findings from an experimental study on the leakage behaviour of glass fibre reinforced epoxy tubular vessels are presented. Specimens were tested by applying a range of pressure loading rates, and different methodologies were used to quantify leakage damage. This study demonstrates the need for advanced methodologies to suitably describe leakage damage in pressurized composite structures.