WireTough Cylinders

WireTough Cylinders, LLC operates as a technology company specializing in the design and manufacturing of high-pressure cylinders for the storage of compressed natural gas (CNG) and hydrogen. Founded in 2010, the company is an outgrowth of Polywire Tough Composites, Ltd., which was established in 2003 by a team of four engineers. The company’s foundation is built upon the collaborative expertise of a former Goodyear inventor of the year, a former Goodyear manufacturing manager, a former chief scientist from NASA, and a researcher in metal fatigue and fracture mechanics.

The company's core technology involves wrapping a lightweight steel liner with multiple layers of high-strength steel wire, a process inspired by concepts used in wire-reinforced radial tires. This proprietary method produces Type II-S cylinders that are lighter than traditional solid steel Type I tanks and more durable and cost-effective than carbon fiber composite Type III and IV tanks. One key manufacturing step, autofrettage, enhances the tanks' resistance to hydrogen embrittlement and cracking, contributing to their long cycle lives. The business model appears to be centered on both direct sales of its cylinder products and licensing its technology, as it seeks partnerships with large manufacturers to bring its technology to a wider market.

WireTough serves clients in the alternative energy and transportation sectors, providing storage solutions for vehicles and ground storage applications. Its product lines include vehicle tanks for CNG and renewable natural gas (RNG), as well as ASME-approved ground storage for various non-corrosive gases and hydrogen at pressures ranging from 500 to 875 bar. The company has received significant support, including grants from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Commonwealth of Virginia, to advance its hydrogen storage solutions. A notable milestone was achieved in March 2016 with ASME certification for its technology and plant, and more recently, it obtained ASME certification for a Type II-S cylinder designed for bulk hydrogen storage.

Keywords: high-pressure cylinders, compressed natural gas storage, hydrogen storage solutions, Type II-S cylinders, wire-wrapped technology, steel liner, energy storage, alternative fuels, CNG vehicle tanks, hydrogen ground storage, ASME certified, gas storage, pressure vessel manufacturing, hydrogen embrittlement resistance, autofrettage, lightweight tanks, long cycle life, energy technology, fuel storage, transportation manufacturing