View Full Version : cylinder explosion and injury
just been posted on a local site over here.
I seem to remember reading about older Aluminum cylinders but cant remember where.
http://www.macleayargus.com.au/news/loc ... 02449.aspx (http://www.macleayargus.com.au/news/local/news/general/familys-agony-after-gas-blast/1602449.aspx)
http://www.macleayargus.com.au/news/loc ... 98708.aspx (http://www.macleayargus.com.au/news/local/news/general/man-loses-hand-in-scuba-tank-explosion/1598708.aspx)
I seem to remember reading about older Aluminum cylinders but cant remember where.
There are certain alloys that don't age well, cracks can form which are not picked up by either visuals or hydros and then just go boom without warning. They need eddy testing in addition to the normal test regime, about a tenner to get done or about fifty quid from dive shops who send them out to get done for a tenner.
The alloys are listed on the HSE website. UK Luxfers made after a cut-off date won't be made from either of the alloys. Can't recall the date off the top of my head but it's a while ago, early 90's IIRC.
Might just be an Australian thing
All clubs and divers have been requested to ensure that these cylinders are removed from service. Luxfer scuba cylinders were manufactured from 6351 aluminium alloy overseas from 1972 to 1988 and in Australia from 1975 to 1990. Luxfer acquired CIG Gas Cylinders in 1997 and some of the 6351 tanks are stamped with "CIG/Luxfer".
Tanks made by Luxfer after 1990 no longer used Aluminium Alloy AL6531 and are safe. The new allow is AL6061. The AL6531 aluminium tanks can suffer from fatigue (SLC or Sustained Load Cracking). One example exploded at approximately 1500-2000 psi.
Details are as follows: -
Identification: CIG/Luxfer cylinders marked AS1777 manufactured between 1975 and 1990 where the serial number does NOT start with an 'S'.
Luxfer cylinders marked DOT3AL or DOTE6498 manufactured between 1972 and 1988.
There should also be an identifying stamp with the numbers 6531.
The markings don't apply in the UK. DOT are imported US spec cylinders and AS are Australian. In the UK they will be the old HOAL marked cylinders or BS...whatever it was, 5-something from memory.
They turn up a lot in club kit rooms where they get used as pool cylinders as they are useless for much else.