3.10.Production examination and test requirementsProduction examination and tests shall be carried out on all containers during manufacture and after completion, as follows:
Verification that the principal dimensions and mass of the finished container and of any liner and over-wrap are within design tolerances;Verification of compliance with principal manufacturing parameters, referred to in the appendix to the information document as set out in Part 1 to Annex II, including examination of any specified surface finish with special attention to deep drawn surfaces and folds or laps in the neck or shoulder of forged or spun end enclosures or openings;For metallic containers and liners, NDE in accordance with Annex B of ISO 9809 or Annex C of EN 1964-3 or Annex B of EN 13322-2 as appropriate, or a demonstrated equivalent method capable of detecting the maximum defect size allowed, to verify that the maximum defect size does not exceed the size specified in the design as determined below.
In addition welded stainless steel liners shall also be examined in accordance with section 6.8.2. of EN 13322-2, and welded aluminium alloy liners shall be examined in accordance with sections 6.2.1. (second section), and 6.2.3. of EN 12862.
The design of type 1, 2 and 3 containers shall identify the maximum allowable defect size at any location in the metal container or liner that will not grow to a critical size within either the specified retest period or service life if no retest is specified. The critical defect size is defined as the limiting through-wall (container or liner) thickness defect that would allow stored gas to be discharged without rupturing the container. Defect sizes for the rejection criteria for ultrasonic scanning or equivalent, shall be smaller than the maximum allowable defect sizes. For type 2 and 3 containers, it shall be assumed that there is no damage to non-metallic materials due to any time-dependent mechanisms. The allowable defect size for NDE shall be determined by an appropriate method.
Containers shall meet the following requirements:
Hardness test for metallic containers and liners in accordance with section 4.1.8.;Hydraulic test, in accordance with section 4.2.15.;Leak test for type 4 containers and type 3 with welded metal liners, in accordance with section 4.2.11.;Verification of markings, in accordance with section 3.8.
A summary of the required production examination and tests for each container is provided in Table IV.3.10.
Table IV.3.10.Production examination and testsExplanatory notes:Test on metallic liner.A leak test shall be carried out on all welded metal liners.Production examination and tests and referenceApplicable to container type1234Principal design dimensionsAppendix to the information document as set out in Part 1 to Annex IIPrincipal manufacturing parametersNDE4.1.8.Hardness test4.2.11.Leak test4.2.15.Hydraulic test3.8.Markings
3.11.ModificationsModifications may be approved in accordance with the reduced test programme specified in Table IV.3.11. Any major changes that are not covered by Table IV.3.11. shall be subjected to full approval testing.
Table IV.3.11.Approval testing of modificationsOnly when thickness change is proportional to diameter or pressure change.A hydrogen cycle test is not required if the stresses in the neck are equal to the original or reduced by the design change (e.g. Reducing the diameter of internal threads, or changing the boss length), the liner to boss interface is not affected, and the original materials are used for boss, liner, and seals.Any deviation from the parameters in the appendix to the information document as set out in Part 1 to Annex II is considered to be a change in manufacturing process.Explanatory notes: for example: ‘2, 3’ indicates that a test is required for type 2 and 3 containers only.Type of testMaterials sections 4.1.1.-4.1.8., as applicableHydrogen compatibility section 4.1.7.Burst section 4.2.1.Ambient temp. pressure cycling section 4.2.2.Lbb Performance section 4.2.3.Bonfire section 4.2.4.Penetration section 4.2.5.Chemical exposure section 4.2.6.Composite flaw tolerance section 4.2.7.Acc. Stress rupture – section 4.2.8.Impact damage test section 4.2.10.Permeation (section 4.2.12.) Boss torque (section 4.2.13.) Hydrogen cycling (section 4.2.14.)Fibre manufacturer2, 3, 42, 3, 42, 3, 42, 3, 43, 4Metallic container or liner material1, 2, 31, 2, 31, 2, 31, 2, 31, 21, 2, 31, 2, 31, 2, 32, 32, 33Plastic liner material4444Fibre material2, 3, 42, 3, 42, 3, 42, 3, 42, 3, 42, 3, 42, 3, 42, 3, 42, 3, 43, 4Resin material2, 3, 42, 3, 42, 3, 42, 3, 43, 4Diameter change ≤ 20 %1, 2, 3, 41, 2, 3, 4Diameter change >20 %1, 2, 3, 41, 2, 3, 41, 2, 3, 41, 2, 3, 42, 3, 43, 4Length change ≤ 50 %1, 2, 3, 4—Length change > 50 %1, 2, 3, 41, 2, 3, 41, 2, 3, 43, 4Nominal working pressure change ≤ 20 %
1, 2, 3, 41, 2, 3, 4Nominal working pressure change > 20 %
1, 2, 3, 41, 2, 3, 41, 2, 3, 41, 2, 3, 41, 2, 3, 4Dome shape1, 2, 3, 41, 2, 3, 44Opening size1, 2, 3, 41, 2, 3, 4Coating change2, 3, 42, 3, 4End boss design4
Change in manufacturing process
1, 2, 3, 41, 2, 3, 4Fire protection system1, 2, 3, 4