Assessment of test methods for a cryogenic liquid containment system

摘要

This paper presents a study demonstrating the selection and use of adhesive joint test methods for the design and validation of an adhesively bonded, foam-composite membrane, cryogenic insulation system for the marine transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The study considered the performance of epoxy and polyurethane adhesives under ambient and sub-zero operating temperatures. Double-lap, sandwich panel and double cantilever beam (DCB) joint tests, essential in "calibrating" the interpretation of finite element analysis (FEA), were performed along with FEA in order to assess the stress states (in plane, peel and shear stress) in the adhesive layer that, under defined loads and extensions, are comparable with the stress levels in the LNG container under service conditions.