What makes a scuba tank explode

Your steel scuba tank should be rigorously cleaned between dives to make sure saltwater does not rest on the surface. If you are a person who frequently dives, you may have to replace your scuba tank often, as rust may become an issue. Cons: Aluminum is not as tough as steel, so an aluminum alloy tank may be at greater risk to physical damage or increases in pressure than its steel counterpart.

Moreover, as aluminum is much softer than steel, more walls must be added to the tank, making it the heavier option. In this controlled test, a scuba tank was overfilled on purpose till burst point. Scuba tanks are generally filled to 3, psi for use. Scuba tanks are pressurized to release air to divers as they explore the depths of the sea. Most tanks are calibrated to be able to hold pressurized air of 3, psi pound-force per square inch. To put that in perspective, an inflated football holds about 13 psi of air, and a car tire holds about 32 psi of air, so scuba tanks can hold some serious pressure.

If you try to overfill your scuba tank, you could run the risk of making it explode. However, this is extremely unlikely, as scuba tanks come equipped with a burst disc , which detects abnormally high pressure in the tank and ruptures before the tank itself does and, in doing so, prevents the introduction of more pressure to the tank.

Nonetheless, if, for some reason, the burst disc were faulty and someone tried to fill their scuba tank up to a crazy psi very quickly, it could theoretically explode. Although excessive air pressure is unlikely to cause either steel or aluminum alloy tanks to explode, the threat would be greater for aluminum alloy tanks, as they are not as durable as steel tanks.

One final note on this topic: some divers are concerned that leaving their tanks exposed to high temperatures could create an increase in air pressure that would cause the tank to explode. While high temperatures do increase air pressure, there is no way you could get your tank hot enough in a normal situation to make this type of explosion even a remote possibility. Other risks include exposure to heat, valve failure, and puncture.

Every scuba tank has a pressure rating and are tested up to 1. For example, a bar tank will be tested to bar. Scuba tanks are regularly subjected to a hydrostatic test which over pressures the tank within these parameters. Failure can be for any number of reasons but observable integrity loss, dents, pitting, corrosion, bulges, and thread damage all qualify in rejection of a tank on safety grounds.

Realistically speaking and freak metal stress notwithstanding, there are only a few causes of loss of integrity to a scuba tank. Steel is highly durable and tough as well as ductile. Many scuba tanks are made of steel. However, steel is not corrosive resistant so remains susceptible to neglect. Another key point is that compressed air is exactly that, air. The tank does not contain combustible gases, so is not the danger that a hydrogen tank would be for example.

Any form of puncture will cause loss of integrity in the steel or aluminium. A deformation will also cause a similar loss. Puncturing the steel container causes a rapid lowering of pressure.

This pressure loss essentially causes an explosion. The puncture hole cannot cope with the speed of the pressure loss and the gas pressure builds around the area of the puncture potentially causing fly shards of steel or aluminium.

Puncturing can be caused by external causes, like bullets, but potentially by dropping on sharp edges. Scuba tanks should be handled carefully at all times, and well strapped down on a boat. As every scuba tank is basically a container for pressurized air, by definition there comes a point where you can force enough air into the tank that the internal pressure cannot be contained by the tank. They have the safety equipment. While heat is great in terms of holiday destinations, localized heat produces an interesting effect.

Please register or login Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Benefits of registering include Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions. A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world. You can make this box go away Joining is quick and easy. PSFlyer Registered. Just wondering if scuba tank explosion due to tank overheating is a reality. I had students ask that question as it relates to transporting tanks in a car.

For years I've given them a standard answer that was given to me years ago by my instructor: "well, yeah, it could happen, so shield the tanks from the sun in the back of your SUV, etc.

Through my research I found out that the highest temperature ever recorded inside a vehicle sitting in the sun was F. According to my son's High School physics book, gas laws would dictate that for every 1F temp rise inside a closed container filled with air, you can expect a 5PSI pressure increase. Assuming the tank is put into the vehicle at room temp 70F, and the temp rises to F, the temp rise is equal to F.

This causes the pressure to rise by PSI. That leads me to a conclusion that even a burst disc blow is a very unlikely event at PSI F not to mention the actual tank exploding. Am I wrong here. What am I missing? Can you guys and ladies shed some light on this. I searched the SB but could not find any info on this topic. VooDooGasMan Contributor. Messages 2, Reaction score Location possesion point. Well you can seach tank suppliers, and psi testers.

One thing for sure is the higher and hotter, and possible movement in trunk could explode or kill if in accident, there shoud be a plumbed ac unit in divers trunk. Happy Diving. Saudi-Diver Contributor. I have seen burst discs go. Tanks left in the shade in the open air, temps around 45 C F. It was really noisy and drilled a nice deep hole in the sand! Suspect the Burst Discs may have been fatigued due to expansion and contraction from heating, cooling, filling and emptying.

Ghanguss Contributor. Messages Reaction score 10 Location Australia of dives - Tank exploding should only occur if the tank is rusted or cracked. Otherwise the burst disk will go. I keep my tanks on the floor behind the front seats of my car. The lower they are, the cooler. The trunk gets hotter than the floor Ive found especially if you have the windows down half an inch. I also lay something over the tank if its likely to be in direct sunlight.