Will an Aluminum Scuba tank explode when shot?

[H2Andy]

NO THEY DO NOT EXPLODE!

THEY DONT!!!!!!

EXPLODE!!!!!

oh i feel so much bettter

 

[DiveBandit]

No, the tank will not "explode".
What will happen is that the penetrating projectile will allow the metal immediately around the puncture to separate, based upon its mollecular structure, to an orifice that will allow the internal pressurized gasses to escape. Those pressurized gasses will act very much like a jet engine and cause the containing vessel to move in an opposite direction (remember Sir Issac Newton?{for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction})

In other words, if you take the stupid tank, fill it with air, shoot it with your .308, it won't "BLOW UP", but push out a big hole and go scooting around like a tom cat with his you-know-whats caught in a rat trap.

May this question rest in peace !!!!
the Kraken

Years ago we would take small, full oxygen cylinders, the portable kind you find on an ambulance, and we would nail them with a 30-06 at 100 yards. KAPOW They would certainly explode, and egnite anything within a few feet of where they were sitting. We actually found a way to partially bury them so when you nailed them they would go flying, sometimes 50 to 100 yards. Yes, I was young single and did not have kids back then.

 

[DiveBandit]

PS, I could post a video if you want proof

 

[H2Andy]

small, full oxygen cylinders

no doubt...

we're talking about tanks full of air

eyebrow

PS, I could post a video if you want proof

let's see... do we want to see videos of exploding tanks????

you bet!

 

[SKBRDVR1]

Narcosis...you're talking 100% oxygen...everybody else is talking compressed breathing air. Your tanks would explode!

 

[rockjock3]

I do know this. I was a firefighter for years. We use SCBA's. There was a report of an scba in Chicago that was run over by an engine. It was not reported, It did not explode, however when they went to fill it again (SCBA's are usually only filled to 2000psi), it still did not explode. Later that night, and explosion was heared in the bay were the engine was parked, after running down to see what happend, the firefighters came across half of an engine. The pressurized SCBA bottle exploded and completely detroyed the engine. I might take that kind of advice into consideration.

On another note, the show myth busters on TV tried this, and no, they could not get one to Explode.

First, an SCBA doesn't have near the energy to destroy half a fire engine. I've seen them go before. Secondly, the reason an SCBA does explode is the makeup of the material. Most of them are much thinner material and many of them (at least ours) are primarily carbon fiber. This material, though very strong, has a tendency to disentegrate once the initial structure is compromised. All SCBAs I have worked with go for lightweight. They may have metal in them but usually just a thin shell reinforced with carbon fiber. Unlike our SCUBA tanks in which the metal is the sole retainer of the contents.

That is why our SCUBA tanks don't explode, because the integrity of the aluminum and steel around the entry hole doesn't weaken due to the break. All that remaining steel was strong enough to hold back that 3000 or greater PSI of air before and it still is so it just rushes out the hole at high-speed.