from.... www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/3325540/R...l
How high is the pressure inside an aerosol can?
Bill Lawrence, Nottingham
* According to the British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association, aerosol cans are pressurised to between two and eight atmospheres, which is equivalent to around 30lb to 120lb per square inch. If punctured or heated they can explode with potentially lethal violence. For that reason,the cans are only part-filled with fluid, and are designed to withstand some expansion through their concave base and tops.
Aerosol cans are also individually tested before leaving the factory, being passed through a hot water bath to raise the pressure in the can and test its strength and integrity. They also carry warnings about the need to avoid use near sources of heat.
Sadly, these are not always followed, and the effects can be pretty devastating. In February 2000, an elderly woman in Maryland allowed some aerosol cans in her mobile home to come into contact with the pilot light of her gas stove, and they exploded like grenades, blowing out the windows and making the walls buckle.
It's worth bearing in mind that it is not just a naked flame that can cause an aerosol can to detonate: last summer there were reports of aerosol cans exploding simply after being left on the seats of cars parked in the sun.
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"It's worth bearing in mind that it is not just a naked flame that can cause an aerosol can to detonate: last summer there were reports of aerosol cans exploding simply after being left on the seats of cars parked in the sun."
Where was that then???? ;-)))
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Aberdabi (say it quick)
Edited by Pugugly on 13/12/2008 at 22:51
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Well I think you should just throw them in the bin and forget about them but here is a little story for you
Some years back when we were bored at work we took a standard size aerosol can that was full or almost full and trapped it in the vice of the big pillar drill that we had. Now this pillar drill once set would operate itself and would continously albeit very slowly work its way down and drill a whole through whatever was clamped below it. You can probably guess what is coming but yes we put a smallish drill bit in it, set it going and retreated outside of the workshop.
We expected a huge bang and the can maybe to go flying off but it didn't, there was nothing apart from the faintest pfffft noise as the can lost its pressure as it was pierced. In fact it was a real anti-climax. I don't think that piercing an aerosol can is actually anywhere near as dangerous as they make out.
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Ah well you pays your money and takes your chance - let us know how you get on ! *
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This advice means that if you need any work on your boat race at a later date - don't try to sue HJ or his Mods - it is a silly thing to do to save a few pennies. Go to Tesco by a gallon of the stuff for a couple of quid - recycle the aerosol
Edited by Pugugly on 13/12/2008 at 22:56
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In more ways than one - a nickname remembered form Hill Street Blues, Pizza Face, springs to my rather befuddled mind.
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Go careful out there.....
Edit - Pizza Man ....sure it was Pizza Man...
but we know what you mean
;-)
Edited by Humph Backbridge on 13/12/2008 at 23:00
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"why I shouldn't make a couple of holes in the rim and pour it into the screenwash bottle as antifreeze?"
Well the undiluted screen wash is... screenwash and not de-icer. Neither is anti-freeze.
For the same of a few pounds then bin them - there is no point taking any risk for a few pennies.
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having an aerosol removed from the place where your nose used to be will certainly give the staff at the A&E something to tell their grand kids about
and dont forget the countdown..............its an important part of any rocket launch!!!!
Edited by welshlad on 14/12/2008 at 03:23
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