Repair of Composite-Overwrapped Pressure Vessels

Pressure vessels overwrapped with graphite-fiber-based composite materials that become damaged would be salvaged by a proposed repair technique. The need for the technique arises as follows: High-performance graphite-fiber-based composites are very susceptible to damage from impact or cutting. Heretofore, when a composite-overwrapped vessel has been damaged, it has been necessary to replace the vessel in its entirety. However, some vessels of this type are so large and expensive that it is uneconomical to discard them in the event of damage.