Commercially available plastic film materials that remain flexible at cryogenic temperatures and resist failures caused by folds and wrinkles created during expulsion were investigated for use in expulsion bladders for liquefied gases. Compatible adhesive systems, fabrication techniques, and results of impact and dynamic loading tests are summarized

Hoggatt, J. T.

Lark, R. F.

Shdo, J. G.

Wiedekamp, K. E.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

1972	 B72-10038 
•	 NASA TECH BRIEF 
Lewis Research Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Use of Thin Plastic Films at Cryogenic Temperatures 
Investigations have been conducted into the use of 
plastic materials, particularly thin polymeric films, for 
the construction of reliable, lightweight, expulsion blad-
ders for liquefied gases. The studies included the selection 
of polymeric films for use with specific cryogenic liquids, 
the selection of compatible adhesive systems for expul-
sion bladder construction, and the evaluation and testing 
of such bladders. 
Criteria for the investigations included minimal blad-
der weight, low gas porosity values for the expulsion 
membrane, and practical, economical fabrication tech- 
• niques for the entire assembly. Impact tests were used 
for the compatibility studies, and dynamic loading tests 
were used to study the structural capability of the blad-
ders. Also, adhesive systems which could bond the plastic 
sheets and were compatible with cryogenic liquids were 
selected and evaluated. 
Data presented in the reports detailing the results of 
the investigations include a selection. of commercially 
available plastic film materials that remain flexible at 
cryogenic temperatures and resist failures caused by 
folds and wrinkles created during the expulsion cycle. 
The reports also include a variety of fabrication tech-
niques, as well as data summarizing the potential capa-
bilities of thin-film plastic materials. 
Notes: 
1. The following documentation may be obtained from 
National Technical Information Service 
Springfield, Virginia 22151 
Single document price $3.00 
(or microfiche $0.95) 
References: NASA CR-54433 (N65-35071), 
Development of Improved Polymeric Materials 
for Cryogenic Propellant Tank Liners and 
Positive Expulsion Bladders
NASA TM-S-1555 (N68-20329), Cryogenic 
Positive Expulsion Bladders 
NASA CR-72 134 (N67-28755), Compatibility 
of Polymeric Films with Liquid Oxygen 
NASA CR-721 15 (N68-21916), Development 
of Cryogenic Positive Expulsion Bladders 
NASA CR-72432 (N69-10712), Liquid Hydro-
gen Positive Expulsion Bladders 
NASA CR-72418 (N68-33321), Polymeric 
Positive Expulsion Bladders for Liquid Oxygen 
Systems 
NASA CR -72502 (N69-22785), Development 
of Liquid Oxygen Compatible-Adhesive System 
2. Technical questions may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Lewis Research Center 
21000 Brookpark Road 
Cleveland, Ohio 44135 
Reference: B72-10038 
Patent Status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA 
Source: R. F. Lark
Lewis Research Center, and
J. T. Hoggatt, and K. E. Wiedekamp, and
J.G.Shdoof
The Boeing Co.
under contract to
Lewis Research Center
(LEW-1 1047) 
•
Category 04 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National
	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United Slates 	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19720000038 2020-03-17T03:23:44+00:00Z


Use of thin plastic films at cryogenic temperatures

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