Vol. 16 #2, Dec. 1989 - Rupture disks
There is a real danger that excessive pressures can develop in the extruder during heating/start up and also during operation. The extruder barrel in general has a safety rating for pressures up to 10,000 psi, but there is a concern that a die or some other part of the extruder may let go and injure the operator with escaping melt, decomposition products, hot gases, metal, and other chemicals, as well as noise.
Rupture disks can be installed into a melt port located in the barrel or die which is used for measurements of melt temperature or pressure. The disks have the standard 1/2 inch 20NF thread and can be ordered with a preset fail pressure. The disks can be returned to the factory for repair once they have been ruptured. Further information can be obtained from:
Fike Metal Products
Dept. TR
704 S. Main Street
Blue Springs, MO 64015
See also
Pressure blips
Pressure transducers
Pressure transducers 2