ISO 11119-2:2020

Overview - ISO 11119-2:2020 (Fully wrapped composite gas cylinders)

ISO 11119-2:2020 specifies minimum requirements for the design, construction and testing of refillable, fully wrapped fibre‑reinforced composite gas cylinders and tubes (Type 3) with load‑sharing metal liners, for water capacities up to 450 L. The standard covers composite reinforcement using carbon fibre, aramid fibre or glass fibre (or mixtures) within a matrix, and requires a minimum design life of 15 years. It excludes cylinders with welded liners and does not address removable protective sleeves.

Keywords: ISO 11119-2:2020, composite gas cylinders, fully wrapped, load‑sharing metal liners, carbon fibre, aramid, glass fibre, refillable cylinders, up to 450 L

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard provides detailed technical requirements and test procedures, including:

• Materials: requirements for metal liners and composite overwrap materials (carbon, aramid, glass fibre).
• Design and manufacture: design submission, minimum fibre stress ratios, manufacturing controls and workmanship.
• Type approval and prototype testing: procedures for type approval, new designs and design variants.
• Type approval tests (examples included in the standard):
  • Proof pressure and hydraulic volumetric expansion tests
  • Liner burst and cylinder burst tests
  • Ambient and environmental cycle tests
  • Flaw detection tests, drop/impact and high‑velocity (gunfire) tests
  • Fire resistance, salt‑water immersion and torque tests
  • Environmentally assisted stress rupture, resin shear strength and glass transition temperature checks
• Batch inspection and testing: liner, overwrap and finished cylinder batch checks and failure handling.
• Marking and documentation: mandatory markings and type approval records.

The document is written to support international acceptance and to be compatible with the UN Model Regulations for transport of dangerous goods.

Practical applications and who uses this standard

ISO 11119-2 is used by:

• Manufacturers and designers of composite pressure vessels to meet international safety and quality benchmarks.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies performing type approval and batch testing.
• Regulatory authorities and inspection agencies responsible for transport and storage safety of compressed or liquefied gases.
• OEMs and end users specifying durable, lightweight gas storage for industrial, medical, diving, and specialty gas applications.
• Supply chain partners selecting materials (carbon/aramid/glass) and validating design lifetimes (minimum 15 years).

Benefits include consistent safety criteria, harmonized test methods, and clearer acceptance for cross‑border transport and use.

Related standards

• ISO 11119 series (other parts for composite cylinders)
• ISO 11439 (cylinders for natural gas vehicles)
• ISO 11623 (periodic inspection and re‑testing of composite cylinders)
• ISO 10286 (terminology) and other referenced material/test standards listed in ISO 11119-2:2020

For manufacturers and engineers specifying composite gas cylinders, ISO 11119-2:2020 is a primary reference for design, testing and certification of fully wrapped, load‑sharing liner cylinders up to 450 L.