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Burst pressure is the maximum pressure a system can withstand before breaking. Factors include material quality, maintenance, and environmental conditions. A burst pressure test can determine if a component is appropriate for its intended use. Failure can be dangerous, causing injury or unexpected releases of pressurized materials.
Burst pressure is sometimes defined as the point at which something like a valve or pipe will fail under pressure, and it can also be defined as the point just before failure occurs. Either way, this pressure could be considered an expression of the maximum pressure something can withstand before breaking. It is important to consider burst pressure when designing any type of system used with pressurized materials such as water, gases, and various fluids, whether that system is a car radiator or a municipal water system.
A number of factors can influence this pressure. Knowing the parameters, an engineer can calculate the burst pressure and work backwards to determine what types of components could be used. Obviously, an important factor is the material used to make a valve, pipe or containment chamber. The quality of the material and its thickness can determine how much pressure it will withstand. Another factor is maintenance; a brand new valve is less likely to fail than an old valve, and a well-maintained valve is less likely to break than one that has been neglected.
Environmental factors may also be involved. High heat can lower the burst pressure weakening the material, and the composition of the materials being carried in a pipe can also matter. A garden hose, for example, may be more likely to burst if the water is mildly corrosive, because it can corrode the hose. Likewise, pipes subjected to the sun, abrasive winds, and the elements will break down more quickly than securely sealed pipes. Conditions such as extreme cold can also be a factor in burst pressure.
A burst pressure test can be conducted as part of material testing to see what kind of conditions a component can withstand. During this type of test, the pressure is gradually increased to see when the component will burst. With this in mind, product developers can determine whether or not the device is appropriate for its intended use. It is important to ensure that the components exceed the potential pressure of the system so that, in the event of pressure peaks, the components will hold.
Having components like pipes and valves fail can be very dangerous. A high-pressure burst can create tiny projectiles that could injure people who get in the way. Unexpected releases of pressurized materials can also pose a safety threat.
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