SpudFiles

You build a steel pipe cannon and pressurize it to 1500 psi.

You mount a copper cap/burst disk in a position that blows away from you if it bursts.

IOW A copper circuit breaker for air pressure.

I imagine that splitting copper is a lot better than shattering steel.

Has anyone photos or videos of bursting steel and/or copper?

1500 psi??? :O your scary (im afraid of 120psi already )

This is an interesting idea, however i think that the copper bursting could send hazardous shrapnel out if it bursts. I know that C02 tanks use a burst disc to prevent overpressurization, but I don't know what material they use. Is there not a commercially available pressure relief valve that will work in your operating range?

What is 1200psi for?
I know that brass is a very common material for burst disks - I think thats what is used with the little CO2 cartridges.
Pressure release valve is probably the safest option but I imagine them to be an expensive part if bought commercially because they are uncommon.

I believe the burst discs on "paintball" type tanks are copper.

You can get a relief valve (poppet style) for 1200psi...I've one in front of me set at 1500psi. (needed model #)

http://www.swagelok.com/search/product_ ... S-4R3A5-BU

Not cheap though...I think when I last priced one out it was ~$150cdn buying it through the business.

A phone call would be in order.

Gippeto wrote:I believe the burst discs on "paintball" type tanks are copper.

You can get a relief valve (poppet style) for 1200psi...I've one in front of me set at 1500psi. (needed model #)

http://www.swagelok.com/search/product_ ... S-4R3A5-BU

Not cheap though...I think when I last priced one out it was ~$150cdn buying it through the business.

A phone call would be in order.

My thinking is to make everything homemade if possible.

If a copper cap fitted to a short length of copper tubing would burst before the steel cannon to which it is attached, wouldn't that be sufficient?


BTW What do you use to pump high pressures?

Most peple use a shock pump or comressor from a refigerator for high pressure. I personally feel that your idea of a piece of copper pipe with a cap is far too dangerous to serve as a safety device.

metalmeltr wrote:Most peple use a shock pump or comressor from a refigerator for high pressure. I personally feel that your idea of a piece of copper pipe with a cap is far too dangerous to serve as a safety device.

????

"I believe the burst discs on "paintball" type tanks are copper. "

What is the difference?

Maybe I am misunderstanding how the copper would behave when it bursts, but i see shrapnel everywhere.

Stu, you can buy a burst disc at Walmart for a couple bucks. The difference is the thickness and diameter of the copper disc....and the fact that they are a KNOWN quantity.

To use them, you would need to drill and tap appropriately, as they do not use a tapered pipe thread, but seal on the lower edge....metal to metal.

If you decided to make one, the best idea I can suggest at the moment, is a pipe union (1/8"npt) fitted with foil discs. You'll need to experiment with it to determine how many disks you'll need, and I would suggest placing a pipe plug in the downstream end of the union to protect the disks from accidental damage.

Hydrostatic testing is to be preferred.

You will of course have to drill a small (1/8") hole through the pipe plug to allow any gas to vent.

Be very careful (should go without saying...but others read these posts too ) with the direction of venting as well.

http://paintballgateway.com/burstdiscs.html
they should be 1/8 npt. the fill nipple and gauges are 1/8 npt. i dont see how they seal any other way besides Teflon tape because the paintball regs are rounded

paintball burst disk for a 3000hpa tank or 4500 usally burst at 5000psi
they are made from brass and believe me u dont want to be near a 4500psi carbon fiber tank when it burst or when it explodes because some dumbass puts triflow in the fill nipple