Hydrogen-powered propulsion is a critical technology for achieving aviation’s decarbonization goals, such as those outlined in the European Union's Flightpath 2050 initiative. However, ensuring the safe and efficient storage of hydrogen in high-pressure tanks presents significant challenges, particularly due to hydrogen's high diffusivity through common storage materials. This study focuses on characterizing the permeation properties of epoxy resin and fiber-reinforced composites, which are key to improving the performance of hydrogen storage systems in aerospace applications.

Using Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), composite specimens were manufactured with precise control of fiber configurations, including carbon and glass fibers. A hydrogen permeation test bench was developed, employing the leakage rate method to quantify permeation through the material and the time lag method to determine diffusion coefficients. This setup, incorporating a quadrupole mass spectrometer, allows for controlled testing under various pressure and temperature conditions, with samples subjected to a range of curing cycles and thermal environments.

The results demonstrate that carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) exhibit lower hydrogen permeation rates compared to glass fiber-reinforced polymers (GFRP), with other fiber orientations further minimizing diffusion pathways. The analysis also highlights the influence of material thickness and fiber configuration on the permeation behavior, providing insights into optimizing the design of lightweight, hydrogen-resistant storage systems. This work contributes to the development of next-generation hydrogen tanks with enhanced safety, efficiency, and durability, vital for long-term hydrogen storage solutions in aviation.