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ALL ABOUT CARBON FIBER TANKS

Overview
Why buy a carbon fiber tanks? What are its advantages?
Information on service life, how to fill a carbon fiber tank and more
What our customers have said about their carbon fiber tanks

Overview

Carbon fiber tanks are relatively new to the sport of pneumatic air gunning. However, they have long been used in the paintball, fire fighting and medical fields. The tanks are made out of composite materials developed by NASA for use in space exploration. This "space age" technology makes the tanks lightweight, strong and capable of accepting charging pressures of 4500 psi. As a result, they are just the thing for the avid pneumatic air gunner.

Why buy a Carbon Fiber Tank? What are its Advantages?

Carbon fiber cylinders enjoy several advantages over the more commonly used scuba tanks.
  1. Carbon fiber tanks can be filled to 4500 psi while most scuba tanks are only rated to 3000 psi. This higher pressure capability not only allows the carbon fiber tank to hold more useable air, but it also enables it to supply more fully-rated fills versus a regular scuba tank.
    • We compared an 88 cu. ft. carbon fiber tank to a regular scuba tank and found it supplied nine times the full fills of a scuba tank. (See Airgun Illustrated's May 2003 issue to read about our test.)

  2. Carbon fiber tanks are available in several different sizes. The large 88 cu. ft. tank is 21 & 1/2" tall with an outer diameter of 6.9" in diameter. The medium is 19 & 1/4" tall and has a diameter of 5.4" while the small 17 cu. ft. tank is only 15.2" high and 3.8" in diameter.

  3. Carbon fiber tanks weigh about one-third as much as a corresponding steel scuba tank. An empty 88 cu. ft. CF tank weighs about 12 & 1/2 pounds. An empty medium CF tank weighs about 7 pounds and the small bottle weighs about 6 pounds. That is quite a weight reduction when compared to a 35-40 pound scuba tank.

  4. Carbon fiber tanks are easier to transport. Given their compact size and their lower weight, handling a carbon fiber tank is considerably easier.

  5. Carbon fiber tanks come essentially ready to use. Our carbon fiber tanks sets come complete with valve, bleed, gauge, burst disk and micro-bore hose. The only items lacking are probes for your specific air gun.

Other Information

  1. Service Life: Carbon fiber tanks have a service life of 15 years and must be hydro-tested every five years. The tanks' hydro requirement was recently extended by the US. Department of Transportation from three to five years due to the tanks' good track record.


  2. Where and how do I fill a carbon fiber tank? Paintball shops can usually fill a carbon fiber tank since paintball itself uses 4500-psi tanks. In most cases, scuba shops can fill the tanks to 3500-3800 psi - only about 10% of them are able to fill the tanks up to 4500 psi. Even if you are only able to fill your tank to 3500 psi, you will still gain a considerable number of fills versus using a scuba tank.

    Many fire stations also have 4500-psi filling stations, although some stations are hesitant to supply air to the general public. If you're lucky and have access to a cooperative fire station, be sure to make a "donation" to their coffee/donut fund. They will be more likely to welcome you back next time.

    Carbon fiber tanks should be filled slowly to avoid heating the seals in the system. If your tank's temperature increases significantly during the filling process, slow the filling rate down. As a general rule, do not fill from a compressor at a rate that results in the cylinder heating to over 140°F (too hot to hold in a bare hand).

    Also, do not exceed the tank's rated service pressure. If you are concerned about overfilling, use an adjustable regulator that can be set at any pressure. If you do accidentally overfill you air gun, remove all ammunition and dry fire until you have reduced pressure to the point where the gun can be shot normally. Overfilling normally will not damage a gun.

    As with any other cylinder filling process, tanks should be inspected prior to filling to insure there is no visible damage to the fiber overwrap or metal neck. If damage is detected, do not fill the cylinder. Take it to a DOT or TC authorized hydrostatic retester for inspection and testing. For more information on inspecting your cylinders, see http://www.carltech.com/new-composite/damage.pdf.

  3. How safe are carbon fiber tanks? If used correctly, carbon fiber tanks are actually safer than scuba tanks. Our tank suppliers conduct burst, cycle, drop, leak and environmental testing on all their tanks. Their burst tests (where tanks are tested to destruction) indicate that carbon fiber tanks are about 50% stronger than scuba tanks.

    Our suppliers' products and manufacturing processes are also thoroughly documented and under tight configuration control. They have been awarded ISO 9001 certification and have successfully qualified their high-pressure tanks to a variety of standards, including U.S. DOT-FRP-1 and CFFC, MIL-STD-1552A, EWR 127-1, and MIL-C-24604. (Note: All tanks approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation will carry a DOT certification label.)

    Just remember, like any high-pressure item, misuse or abuse can end in failure and possible personal injury. Follow normal safety procedures.


What our customers have said about their carbon fiber tanks

"...I think the tank is the handiest thing since a pocket was put on a shirt. It's light, easy to handle, has 3 times the air, easy to carry if you go on hunting trips....I give Airhog tanks my highest rating...."
"...I love the new (large) tank... With the handle, it is just as convenient as the little bitty tank..."
"...I'm still filling my gun to 3400 PSI from (its) original fill... I'm surprised that it's lasting this long. It's very convenient; for sure..."

 
     
         
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