Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Re: At what PSI does a plastic soda bottle explode? (home CO2 carbonation)

1,311 views
Skip to first unread message
Message has been deleted
Message has been deleted
Message has been deleted
Message has been deleted

Don Klipstein

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 9:11:17 PM4/6/10
to
In <a540e075-eff2-4c22...@x12g2000yqx.googlegroups.com>,
DerbyDad03 wrote:

<SNIP previously quoted material>

>Stolen without permission from http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/11/
>episode_42_steel_toe_amputatio.html
>
>Bottle Rocket Blast Off
>Myth: You can launch someone 30-40ft with a bottle-rocket-powered
>backpack.
>
>"At 60 psi they would need 28 bottles, which is more than the 15 used
>in the game show clip, so they decided to see how much more pressure
>they could put into the bottles. Using a bike pump they were able to
>get a the soda bottles up to 95 psi before their arms gave out.

<SNIP from here>

There are many bike tires rated to take 105, even 110 PSI.

A decent floor pump can achieve 110-120 PSI in the hands of most
serious cyclists and bike mechanics.

Frame-fit pumps for "road bikes" in my experience can achieve 130-150
PSI. Back when I worked a messenger job, I often pumped my rear tire to
130-140 PSI so that I could carry heavier loads (80-150 pounds) on a rear
rack that I built for the purpose. I made more money that way, and the
motor vehicle messengers in my company were happier to get less business
in the areas where parking was more impossible.

Experience taught me which tires were able to take such abuse, and which
ones were not. (And an extra-loud *KABOOM* would sometimes occur at a
very inconvenient time, such as halfway through a 2 mile delivery run, or
while my bike was parked in my home at 5 AM. Some messengers keep their
bikes in their bedrooms, although I did not combine that with a tire
rated 110-115 PSI and inflated to 130-140 PSI.)

- Don Klipstein (d...@misty.com)

Don Klipstein

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 9:24:37 PM4/6/10
to
In <a72f9fcabd14af1a...@tioat.net>, J. Zappacosta said in part:

>How to make a soda bottle explode (slow motion):
>http://www.metacafe.com/watch/991622/soda_bottle_explosion_steps_on_how_to/

Why is it so popularly mentioned on the web how to blow up soda bottles
with caustic chemicals? (This is far from the first time I have heard on
the web and in Usenet how to do that with caustic chemicals of one sort or
another.)

If someone has to make a big bang and maybe attract attention of the
police, would it not be more wise to use something not so caustic, such as
vinegar and chalk, or better still water and a bunch of Alka-Seltzer
tablets, or a long hose and an air compressor or a long hose and a bicycle
pump made to achieve higher pressures used in road bikes and track bikes?
Get someone good and strong to operate the bike pump if much more than 150
PSI is needed to get the cars coming in with red and blue flashing lights?

- Don Klipstein (d...@misty.com)

Robert Green

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 10:35:12 PM4/6/10
to
"Don Klipstein" <d...@manx.misty.com> wrote in message

<stuff snipped>

> I would be leery about the ability to withstand 150 or 120 PSI being
> valid at the highest temperature that can be encountered in this
> application. I have had experience with boiling water causing PET soda
> bottles to soften and go out of shape without any significant pressure at
> all.

Strongly agree!

My dad was a safety engineer and often testified at trials as an expert
witness. Soda bottles have a rich history of litigation. If they are
dropped just right in a store, for example, the cap can blow off with enough
force to put out an eye, and it's happened many times, it's not just a freak
one-off occurrence. Injuries have lessened with plastic v. glass bottles,
but they have not vanished entirely.

Much engineering has gone into designing safer bottles (the odd star-shape
of the bottom is designed to "pop" visibly when dropped and provide some
visual warning that the bottle is overpressured. The screw threads on the
cap are interrupted for the same reason). Still, there are soda bottle
accidents every year in the US. Many are caused by shelf stockers insisting
on filling high shelves beyond capacity, making a floor drop from
considerable height all but certain.

Overpressurizing them for fun with kids around seems to be a pretty silly
idea. But they do make passable silencers for pistols if attached
correctly.

Search for "soda bottle eye injury" on Google to find many tales like this:

"We have come across six patients of ocular injuries due to CBB explosions
during a period of nearly two years. All the cases had unila­teral
involvement, right eye in four cases and left eye in two cases. All of these
patients had severe visual loss. Initial visual acuity, after the injury
ranged from loss of perception of light to finger counting at two meters
distance. In one case the eye was badly mutilated and had to be enucleated.
In five cases, the injury was caused by glass splinters, while in one case
it was due to the cap of the bottle. The injury due to the bottle cap was
interesting in that it left a clear impression of its crenated edge on the
skin of the lids and the cornea which gives some indication of the force of
the impact. In four cases the CBB exploded without provocation."

Source:
http://www.ijo.in/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=1982;volume=30;issue=1;spage=47;epage=50;aulast=Gupta

--
Bobby G.


LM

unread,
Apr 7, 2010, 1:45:18 AM4/7/10
to
On Wed, 7 Apr 2010 00:52:17 +0000 (UTC), Don Klipstein wrote:

> Also, most car and SUV tires are not inflated past 36 PSI.
> 50 liters at 36 PSI, if compressed to 150 PSI, takes up 12 liters.

Then all we need are 6 two liter Coca Cola soda bottles!
We could just as easily fill them up with compressed air as with C02.
Sounds interesting.
I'm waiting for the you-tube video of the manifold!

Elmo

unread,
Apr 7, 2010, 1:51:07 AM4/7/10
to
On Tue, 6 Apr 2010 22:35:12 -0400, Robert Green wrote:

> the odd star-shape of the bottom is designed to "pop" visibly when
> dropped and provide some visual warning that the bottle is overpressured.

> The screw threads on the cap are interrupted for the same reason.

> In four cases the CBB exploded without provocation."

All very interesting especially the interrupted screw threads!

Never even noticed that until I just now took a look.

I suspect it makes the (over)pressurized air blow by the gaps, right?

LdB

unread,
Apr 7, 2010, 12:58:18 PM4/7/10
to
On 4/6/2010 3:34 PM, Elmo wrote:
> Anyone know at what PSI a typical plastic soda bottle explodes?
>
> I've built a home carbonation system. The gauges say I've put in 150PSI of
> C02 into the Trader Joe's (admittedly thick) carbonated water bottles.
>
> Nothing happened (with respect to explosions).
>
> Yet, as I dig on the web, I find that plastic soda bottles are supposed to
> explode at 120 to 150psi.
> http://community.nbtsc.org/wiki/HomeMadeSoda
>
> Obviously I need more data.
>
> Do you have data points showing when soda bottles explode?
>
> PS: If there's a soda or carbon dioxide related newsgroup for home
> carbonation, please let me know.

They do blow up and with considerable force. My neighbor's friend
works in the bottled gas business. His company makes dry ice. He gets
it for nothing and uses it for keeping his beer cold when he comes out
here for the weekend. He likes to make loud noises by dropping dry ice
into plastic pop bottles then sealing them up.

Better than the big firecrackers we called blockbusters when I was a kid.

You wouldn't want one of those bottles next to your crotch if it
decided to go boom.

SM, don't try to impress the kids at church. Someone will get hurt.

LdB

Bob F

unread,
Apr 7, 2010, 1:01:40 PM4/7/10
to
Elmo wrote:
> Anyone know at what PSI a typical plastic soda bottle explodes?
>
> I've built a home carbonation system. The gauges say I've put in
> 150PSI of C02 into the Trader Joe's (admittedly thick) carbonated
> water bottles.
>
> Nothing happened (with respect to explosions).
>
> Yet, as I dig on the web, I find that plastic soda bottles are
> supposed to explode at 120 to 150psi.
> http://community.nbtsc.org/wiki/HomeMadeSoda
>
> Obviously I need more data.
>
> Do you have data points showing when soda bottles explode?
>
> PS: If there's a soda or carbon dioxide related newsgroup for home
> carbonation, please let me know.

Lots of experience at rec.crafts.brewing.

If you are just carbonating drinks, there is no reason to go over 50 psi unless
you are in an extreme hurry. Why bother?

harry

unread,
Apr 7, 2010, 3:25:50 PM4/7/10
to
On Apr 6, 9:34�pm, Elmo <dcdraftwo...@Use-Author-Supplied-

Address.invalid> wrote:
> Anyone know at what PSI a typical plastic soda bottle explodes?
>
> I've built a home carbonation system. The gauges say I've put in 150PSI of
> C02 into the Trader Joe's (admittedly thick) carbonated water bottles.
>
> Nothing happened (with respect to explosions).
>
> Yet, as I dig on the web, I find that plastic soda bottles are supposed to
> explode at 120 to 150psi.http://community.nbtsc.org/wiki/HomeMadeSoda

>
> Obviously I need more data.
>
> Do you have data points showing when soda bottles explode?
>
> PS: If there's a soda or carbon dioxide related newsgroup for home
> carbonation, please let me know.

If you are pressure testing bottles, on NO account use air or gas, the
bottle will explode violently at some point.
Use water, and wrap the bottle in a cloth. The bottle will just crack
when it fails, much safer.

Mysterious Traveler

unread,
Apr 7, 2010, 4:54:20 PM4/7/10
to
mike wrote:
> On Apr 6, 1:34 pm, Elmo <dcdraftwo...@Use-Author-Supplied-

> Address.invalid> wrote:
>> Anyone know at what PSI a typical plastic soda bottle explodes?
>>
>> I've built a home carbonation system. The gauges say I've put in 150PSI of
>> C02 into the Trader Joe's (admittedly thick) carbonated water bottles.
>>
>> Nothing happened (with respect to explosions).
>>
>> Yet, as I dig on the web, I find that plastic soda bottles are supposed to
>> explode at 120 to 150psi.http://community.nbtsc.org/wiki/HomeMadeSoda
>>
>> Obviously I need more data.
>>
>> Do you have data points showing when soda bottles explode?
>>
>> PS: If there's a soda or carbon dioxide related newsgroup for home
>> carbonation, please let me know.
>
> If you don't believe your own gauges, why would you believe anonymous
> blather posted on the net? If you think your gauges are messed up,
> try different gauges and see.
As long as you are only trying to carbonate something and not
force an explosion, wouldn't only a few PSI be adequate?

Mysterious Traveler


Don Klipstein

unread,
Apr 7, 2010, 6:48:15 PM4/7/10
to

Maybe I was a bit premature - other links in the article that I
responded to did show soda bottles being blown up by an air compressor
and apparently also by a bike pump.

- Don Klipstein (d...@misty.com)

Elmo

unread,
Apr 8, 2010, 1:52:25 AM4/8/10
to
On Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:54:20 -0500, Mysterious Traveler wrote:

> As long as you are only trying to carbonate something and not
> force an explosion, wouldn't only a few PSI be adequate?

Yes. My regulator is faulty. I thought it was the gauges but when I put a
second set of gauges on, I realized the regulator isn't working. It's
always at something over 150 psi.

It's not a big deal, as Coke confirmed by phone all their plastic 20oz to 2
liter PETE bottles are safety tested at the "industry standard" 150 psi and
some are even tested to 250 psi.

I've successfully carbonated, so far, water, grape juice, pinot noir wine,
lemonade, and orange juice. The attempt at carbonated milk and carbonated
yogurt weren't the most stellar of achievements though; neither was the
ice-cream carbonation nor the strawberry fruit carbonation.

But, I keep learning, e.g., here they actually test the burst pressure of a
2l coke bottle (and show a slo-mo video with the pressure counter in the
corner):
http://home.people.net.au/~aircommand/procedures.htm
- Maximum Operating Pressure is called MOP (which is what you do when you
reach it)
- Test 1: 2 liter coke bottle burst at 190 psi (the bottle actually
stretches lengthwise in the slow motion video)
- Test 2: 1.25 liter coke bottle burst at 185 psi (in slow motion you see
the cones on the bottom stretch out to almost cylindrical before bursting)
- Test 3: 1.5 liter coke bottle burst at 175 psi (always the bottom or
sides give out before the cap does)
- Test 4: 1.25 liter coke bottle with duct tape burst at 195 psi (for the
first time, the cap sprunk a leak but the failure mode was the package)

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/what-is-the-psi-rateing-for-a-coke-bottle-62325.html
- A soda can is able to withstand over 100 PSI
- A 6.5-ounce glass soda bottle can withstand 225 PSI
- A 16-ounce glass soda bottle can withstand 175 PSI
- A PET soda bottle can withstand 150 PSI--the industry standard

Elmo

unread,
Apr 8, 2010, 2:12:08 AM4/8/10
to
On Wed, 7 Apr 2010 22:48:15 +0000 (UTC), Don Klipstein wrote:

> show soda bottles being blown up by an air compressor
> and apparently also by a bike pump.

Interestingly, the only time the cap failed was when they heat treated the
coke bottle beforehand, as shown in in these tests:
http://home.people.net.au/~aircommand/procedures.htm

Interestingly, in general, the larger the bottle, the lower the burst
pressure.

For example, while the standard 2 liter coke bottle with label burst at 168
psi, the standard 1.25 liter coke bottle burst at 185 psi.

Also interesting was the more gas (less liquid), the higher the burst
pressure; for example, that same 1.25 liter coke bottle burst at 190 psi
when it contained significant air.

In their last reported test, a 2 liter PET bottle failed at a lower psi
than you'd expect (150 psi) after simulated use (held at 130 psi for 3
minutes). This test might indicate plastique fatigue occurs with repeated
high pressurization.

So, I'd say Coke's report that all their bottles can handle 150 psi seems
reasonable as the MOP (maximum operating pressure) for PETE bottles.

BTW, those numbers are all way higher than the "guesstimates" made here:
http://www.instructables.com/answers/how_much_psi_does_a_coke_bottle2l_hold/

Elmo

unread,
Apr 8, 2010, 3:06:54 AM4/8/10
to
On Thu, 8 Apr 2010 06:12:08 +0000 (UTC), Elmo wrote:

> So, I'd say Coke's report that all their bottles can handle 150 psi seems
> reasonable as the MOP (maximum operating pressure) for PETE bottles.

Despite both Coke's statements and independent tests showing coke bottles
exploding well almost at 200 psi, the mythbusters seem to intimate they
explode at the much lower 150 psi pressure.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MythBusters_%282005_season%29

So, I'm confused.

Elmo

unread,
Apr 8, 2010, 3:53:55 AM4/8/10
to
On Wed, 7 Apr 2010 12:25:50 -0700 (PDT), harry wrote:

> If you are pressure testing bottles, on NO account use air or gas, the
> bottle will explode violently at some point.

This reference backs up the observation that the smaller bottles rupture at
higher pressures ...
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070609125950AAdiFbU

5 atmospheres is about 73.5 psi. I know that 16 ounce plastic coke bottles
are rated up to 175psi(11.9 atm). 2L bottles hold somewhat less. A coke can
holds about 100 psi(6.8atm). I don't know the rating of champagne bottles
but that the thick glass can withstand a marginally greater pressure than
the thin plastic. However the plastic will begin to stretch (audiblly) as
it nears failure and the glass will just shatter and send shards
scattering. I prefer the plastic.
Source(s):
The Coca Cola people told me... and I've also test popped a few first hand
as a demonstration as to ability of expanding gas to do work using liquid
nitrogen source in the capped bottles.

The coca cola contact is :
Gina M. L'Heureux
The Coca-Cola Company
Industry and Consumer Affairs

This answer, way too conservative, at least shows a mathematical process:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061204051635AAoQDT9

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
You would have to do a bit of research: You need to know the dimensions of
the bottle: Diameter and wall thickness.

You need to know the plastic it is made from and the corresponding tensile
strength (yield) of the material. Then you can update these calculations:

Assuming that the diameter of the bottle D=5 inches, wall thickness t =
0.025 inches, and the plastic has a yield strength of 5000 psi:

The hoop stress in the wall of the bottle = PD/2t
The longitudinal stress in the wall = PD/4t

For this pressure vessel situation, those 2 stresses are orthogonal and and
the principal stresses s1 and s2, the von mises failure theory suggests
that the stress levels are acceptable if: sqrt(s1^2 - s1*s2 +s2^2) < yield,
so:

sqrt((PD/4t)^2 - (PD/4t)*(PD/2t) + (PD/2t)^2) < 5000

expanding and collecting the LHS =>

0.433 P D / t < 5000

Filling in the example numbers, P < 57.7 psi

And ofcourse with anything safety related, a safety factor should be
applied in proportion to the risk severity. In this case an exploding
bottle probably would not cause death, but could cause serious injury - A
safety factor of 5 is likely appropriate... thus, assuming the example
numbers are about right, you should not pressurize to more than 57.7/5 =
11.5 psi (this is delta compared to 1 ATM)

But, of course, these guys are the most reliable I can find:
http://home.people.net.au/~aircommand/procedures.htm

Message has been deleted

Ecnerwal

unread,
Apr 8, 2010, 8:47:41 AM4/8/10
to
When the kiddies were into bottle rockets (water and air type, not the
pyrotechnic type) they were running 2 liters up to 160 psi regularly.
After a few trips it made a Very Loud Noise. But until then it held, and
the landings probably didn't aid structural integrity any (dents,
creases, scratches.) Then again, it may have been simple fatigue.

Your home carbonation system can benefit from the science that aids the
engineering of commercial carbonation systems - chill the liquid - it
dissolves gas better at lower pressures. Since you can keep the
pressures lower, so you are not stressing things as much. Wasting
product on the floor is messy and irritating, not to mention loud and
attractive to ants, etc.

--
Cats, coffee, chocolate...vices to live by

Tegger

unread,
Apr 9, 2010, 8:10:31 AM4/9/10
to
Elmo <dcdraf...@Use-Author-Supplied-Address.invalid> wrote in
news:hpjvad$35o$1...@tioat.net:

Explosion occurs at 150psi.

I think your confusion comes from some poor wording at that Wiki site.

This quote:
"The Build Team also found that water cooler jugs, while able to launch
higher at the standard air/water ratio for water bottle rockets, were
weaker than standard soda bottles (which are designed to hold carbonated
liquids), failing at around 60 psi (413 kPa) less than the soda bottles
(90psi (600kPa) as opposed to 150psi (1000kPa))."

might read more clearly as:
"The Build Team also found that water cooler jugs were able to launch
higher at the standard air/water ratio for water bottle rockets. However,
the jugs were weaker than standard soda bottles, failing at around 90 psi
(600 kPa), much less than the soda bottles, which fail at 150psi
(1000kPa)."

The intermixing of English and Metric also adds to the confusion of the
Wiki page's wording.


--
Tegger

dgk

unread,
Apr 9, 2010, 8:45:32 AM4/9/10
to
On Tue, 6 Apr 2010 20:34:49 +0000 (UTC), Elmo
<dcdraf...@Use-Author-Supplied-Address.invalid> wrote:

>Anyone know at what PSI a typical plastic soda bottle explodes?
>
>I've built a home carbonation system. The gauges say I've put in 150PSI of
>C02 into the Trader Joe's (admittedly thick) carbonated water bottles.
>
>Nothing happened (with respect to explosions).
>
>Yet, as I dig on the web, I find that plastic soda bottles are supposed to
>explode at 120 to 150psi.
>http://community.nbtsc.org/wiki/HomeMadeSoda
>
>Obviously I need more data.
>
>Do you have data points showing when soda bottles explode?
>
>PS: If there's a soda or carbon dioxide related newsgroup for home
>carbonation, please let me know.


Particularly on topic for me because I have an Air Horn on my bicycle:

http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Airzound-Bike-Horn/dp/B000ACAMJC

It uses what appears to be a slightly thicker version of a soda
bottle. It is a very effective horn, in fact, a bit too loud. It
sounds like a Hemi on helium but does get through those jogger's
headphones.

Anyway, the bottle is usually fastened right below the crossbar, which
is right below my, well, nuts. We're told to fill it to 100 psi. If
there is one thing I don't want, it's that bottle exploding down
there.

Note the cost of this item. The price "reduction" drops it below the
free shipping ($25) level so it ends up costing more. Excuse me but
I'll just pay full price and get it shipped for free.

Message has been deleted

terry

unread,
Apr 9, 2010, 9:01:10 AM4/9/10
to
> I'll just pay full price and get it shipped for free.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Considering all the above .................. were these tests
conducted on brand new (previously unusd) or 'used' ad emptied
bottles?

Used bottles having been previously stressed by the 'normal' pressure
of soft drinks.

LM

unread,
Apr 9, 2010, 11:34:56 AM4/9/10
to
On Wed, 7 Apr 2010 00:52:17 +0000 (UTC), Don Klipstein wrote:

> That does sound to me large for a tire, maybe about right for a tire for
> a large SUV. Also, most car and SUV tires are not inflated past 36 PSI.


> 50 liters at 36 PSI, if compressed to 150 PSI, takes up 12 liters.

What volume of gas is contained in an automotive tire:
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2001-08/998945256.Ch.r.html

Those guys came up with 10 liters at 30psi, given:
* Inside diameter of rubber tire 15" = ~40 cm = 4 dm
* Outside diameter of rubber tire 21" = ~50 cm = 5 dm
* Width of steel wheel 6" = ~15 cm = 1.5 dm
* Pressure inside the rubber tire 30 psi
* Temperature 25° C

The volume inside the tire is the volume difference between two cylinders,
one representing the entire wheel/tire assembly and the other representing
just the wheel.

The volume of a cylinder is V = p × diameter × height where diameter is
twice the radius.

Note: For your particular tire and wheel assembly, you can use the Tire
Diameter and Circumference Calculator at:
http://www.csgnetwork.com/tiresizescalc.html

They used the numbers below:

For just the steel wheel, the volume p × (4 dm ¸ 2)2 × 1.5 dm = 19 cubic
decimeters (i.e., 19 liters).

For just the rubber tire assembly, the total volume p × (5 dm ¸ 2)2 × 1.5
dm = 29 cubic decimeters (i.e., 29 liters).

The volume difference is just 10 liters (which means that the air in the
tire will mass about 26 grams).

Another volume calculation is here:
http://www.irday.com/html/Automotive%20tire%20wheel%20engineering/20080413/9827.html
Those guys came up with 30 liters for an average truck tire.

This volume calculation puts a car tire at 1 to 2 cubic feet of air:
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/tools/ar104.htm

BTW, what happens to the mass if we use a different gas than air, like
carbon dioxide?

Kat Rabun

unread,
Apr 9, 2010, 11:36:49 AM4/9/10
to
On Fri, 9 Apr 2010 08:34:56 -0700, LM wrote:

> Note: For your particular tire and wheel assembly, you can use the Tire
> Diameter and Circumference Calculator at:
> http://www.csgnetwork.com/tiresizescalc.html

This tire volume calculator works better:
http://www.club80-90syncro.co.uk/Syncro_website/TechnicalPages/TRC%20calculator.htm

Brent

unread,
Apr 9, 2010, 1:03:12 PM4/9/10
to
On Fri, 9 Apr 2010 15:36:49 +0000 (UTC), Kat Rabun wrote:

My P225/55R16 Traction=A, Temperature=A, Treadwear=480 car tires calculate
to 14.76 liters each (60 liters for four tires).

So a four-foot manifold with eight 2L Coke bottles hanging down would
completely fill one tire.

Elmo

unread,
Apr 9, 2010, 8:24:11 PM4/9/10
to
On Tue, 6 Apr 2010 20:34:49 +0000 (UTC), Elmo wrote:

From: Coca-Cola Support <coca-col...@na.ko.com

Thank you for contacting The Coca-Cola Company. We appreciate your interest
in our Company and our brands.

As you know, the amount of PSIs (pounds of pressure per square inch) that a
package is able to withstand depends on the volume of carbonation and is
based on the product as much as the package. At lower temperatures, the
pressure is lower, and at higher temperatures, the pressure is higher.

Carbonation is measured in "volumes." One volume of CO2 is equal to one
liter of carbon dioxide dissolved in one liter of liquid at standard
temperature and pressure. Two volumes are equal to two liters of gas in
one liter of liquid, etc. The amount of CO2 absorbed by the liquid is a
function of temperature and pressure. The colder the liquid and the higher
the pressure, the more CO2 it absorbs. One volume is equal to 14.7 lbs.
per square inch (psi) pressure at sea level and at 60º F.

All PET packages can withstand 150 PSIs - the industry standard. However,
some of our PET packaging can withstand 250 PSIs. Unfortunately, we will
not be able to provide a list of which ones can withstand 250 PSIs.

We certainly appreciate your interest in our production processes for our
brands. However, in order for us to remain competitive in our industry,
some information is considered proprietary, and we are unable to share it
with the public.

We hope this information is helpful. Please feel free to contact us again
should you have any other questions or comments.

Sincerely,

Johnetta
Industry & Consumer Affairs
The Coca-Cola Company

dgk

unread,
Apr 12, 2010, 9:17:36 AM4/12/10
to
On Fri, 09 Apr 2010 08:58:02 -0400, sa...@dog.com wrote:

>On Fri, 09 Apr 2010 08:45:32 -0400, dgk <d...@somewhere.com> wrote:
>
>>On Tue, 6 Apr 2010 20:34:49 +0000 (UTC), Elmo
>><dcdraf...@Use-Author-Supplied-Address.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>>Anyone know at what PSI a typical plastic soda bottle explodes?
>>>
>>>I've built a home carbonation system. The gauges say I've put in 150PSI of
>>>C02 into the Trader Joe's (admittedly thick) carbonated water bottles.
>>>
>>>Nothing happened (with respect to explosions).
>>>
>>>Yet, as I dig on the web, I find that plastic soda bottles are supposed to
>>>explode at 120 to 150psi.
>>>http://community.nbtsc.org/wiki/HomeMadeSoda
>>>
>>>Obviously I need more data.
>>>
>>>Do you have data points showing when soda bottles explode?
>>>
>>>PS: If there's a soda or carbon dioxide related newsgroup for home
>>>carbonation, please let me know.
>>
>>
>>Particularly on topic for me because I have an Air Horn on my bicycle:
>>
>>http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Airzound-Bike-Horn/dp/B000ACAMJC
>>
>>It uses what appears to be a slightly thicker version of a soda
>>bottle. It is a very effective horn, in fact, a bit too loud.
>

>RTFM - it has a volume control.

That's no volume control - it's an on/off switch. They can say
whatever they want but I own one. Any touch strong enough to release
the air causes enough noise to make someone jump.

Message has been deleted

dgk

unread,
Apr 13, 2010, 8:37:16 AM4/13/10
to
On Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:27:26 -0400, sa...@dog.com wrote:

>I own 2 on bicycles and one hand held I use as a backup on my boat.
>There is a VOLUME CONTROL on the side. It is a little knob connected
>to a cam that squeezes the air tube to reduce volume.
>
>Once again...
>
>RTFM

I'll take a look - that would be a good thing. I don't recall that I
ever saw a manual.

Message has been deleted

dgk

unread,
Apr 15, 2010, 1:57:03 PM4/15/10
to
On Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:40:09 -0400, sa...@dog.com wrote:

>It's one of the bright red or orange bits on the side. Just a little
>lever attached to a cam that constricts the hose as you rotate it.
>
>

You are correct and you have made my life a little bit better. That
horn was really too loud and now I can attenuate it so the target
doesn't die of a heart attack. It gets so messy when that happens.

I have to attach it to my new bike. I don't bother using it during the
winter because there aren't that many joggers clogging the bike lanes.
Now they're out in full force.

Message has been deleted

zxcvbob

unread,
Apr 15, 2010, 3:50:22 PM4/15/10
to
I hydrostatically tested one at 150 psi (a cheap thin one) and it was
just fine. HTH :-)

Bob

dgk

unread,
Apr 16, 2010, 8:36:56 AM4/16/10
to
On Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:10:19 -0400, sa...@dog.com wrote:

>On Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:57:03 -0400, dgk <d...@somewhere.com> wrote:
>

>>>>I'll take a look - that would be a good thing. I don't recall that I
>>>>ever saw a manual.
>>>
>>>It's one of the bright red or orange bits on the side. Just a little
>>>lever attached to a cam that constricts the hose as you rotate it.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>You are correct and you have made my life a little bit better. That
>>horn was really too loud and now I can attenuate it so the target
>>doesn't die of a heart attack. It gets so messy when that happens.
>>
>>I have to attach it to my new bike. I don't bother using it during the
>>winter because there aren't that many joggers clogging the bike lanes.
>>Now they're out in full force.
>

>For pedestrians and joggers, I find that clicking my brake levers is
>usually sufficient to alert them. It doesn't hurt to call out "On your
>left" as you approach, so they hopefully don't move the wrong way to
>evade you.
>
>I use the horn (at full volume) for cars that do anything threatening,
>like pulling out of a driveway yakking on their cell phone.
>
>It's very effective at getting their attention.

Clicking the brake lever? For folks blasting music into their ears? I
have an actual bell on the bike and they don't hear that.

Message has been deleted

MikeSpike

unread,
May 16, 2010, 11:48:55 AM5/16/10
to
>Elmo wrote:
>> Anyone know at what PSI a typical plastic soda bottle explodes?
<big snip>

Yes. Burst design value is 200PSI. Burst testing regularly done a most PET
bottle blowmold mfg plants. It's part of quality control.

Can they blow a lower pressures? Certainly. Nothing's perfect. Sometimes
they pop at higher pressures. Bottles go through SIGNIFICANT deformation
before popping. Will they pop at normal usage pressures? Not likely. Coca
Cola & Pepsi have billions at stake to lose in lawsuits from angry
consumers and hungry lawyers. They R not fools. Their PET bottle do not
often pop at 55PSI common working pressure. One out of a trillion?
quintillion? billion? I have no clue. But not often enough for them to lose
money. Otherwise they'd make their bottles thicker and stronger.

Interesting graphic documentary...
http://www.fizzgiz.com/PepsiBottlePopper00.htm

Interesting videos...
Popping one with co2 powered keyboard dust blower...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnB6l6-TUkw
Air compressor co2 blowups... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_QvUC3EqxA


_________________________
Message sent through http://www.BetterHomePortal.com

MikeSpike

unread,
May 16, 2010, 11:51:50 AM5/16/10
to
>On Apr 6, 9:34=EF=BF=BDpm, Elmo <dcdraftwo...@Use-Author-Supplied-

>Address.invalid> wrote:
>> Anyone know at what PSI a typical plastic soda bottle explodes?
>>
>> I've built a home carbonation system. The gauges say I've put in 150PSI
o=

>f
>> C02 into the Trader Joe's (admittedly thick) carbonated water bottles.
>>
>> Nothing happened (with respect to explosions).
>>
>> Yet, as I dig on the web, I find that plastic soda bottles are supposed
t=
>o
>> explode at 120 to 150psi.http://community.nbtsc.org/wiki/HomeMadeSoda

>>
>> Obviously I need more data.
>>
>> Do you have data points showing when soda bottles explode?
>>
>> PS: If there's a soda or carbon dioxide related newsgroup for home
>> carbonation, please let me know.
>
>If you are pressure testing bottles, on NO account use air or gas, the
>bottle will explode violently at some point.
>Use water, and wrap the bottle in a cloth. The bottle will just crack
>when it fails, much safer.
>
Yes. Good suggestion. Please suggest a way for average ordinary everyday
people to get water under sufficient pressure into the bottle. 90PSI static
street pressure is about as high as most city water systems will ever
provide. That won't pop a pet bottle.

MikeSpike

unread,
May 16, 2010, 12:13:18 PM5/16/10
to
>On Tue, 6 Apr 2010 20:34:49 +0000 (UTC), Elmo wrote:
>
>From: Coca-Cola Support <coca-col...@na.ko.com
>
>Thank you for contacting The Coca-Cola Company. We appreciate your
interest
>in our Company and our brands.
>
<big snip>

>
>We hope this information is helpful. Please feel free to contact us again
>should you have any other questions or comments.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Johnetta
>Industry & Consumer Affairs
>The Coca-Cola Company
>
It's amazing you got a letter from them telling you anything at all. If you
wanna blow $100, you can buy the voluntary spec's publication from the
beverage producers association. That document is supposed to cover in
detail all aspects of PET bottle design voluntary standards.

tmov...@gmail.com

unread,
May 2, 2015, 10:05:42 PM5/2/15
to
Many people are using nitrogen in their tires now and paying a premium for it. The benefits are not so from the physical qualities of the gas, but the fact that the gas contains absolutely no water. So the tire pressure changes less due to temperature changes.

tmov...@gmail.com

unread,
May 2, 2015, 10:11:28 PM5/2/15
to
On Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 3:34:49 PM UTC-5, Elmo wrote:
> Anyone know at what PSI a typical plastic soda bottle explodes?
>
> I've built a home carbonation system. The gauges say I've put in 150PSI of
> C02 into the Trader Joe's (admittedly thick) carbonated water bottles.
>
> Nothing happened (with respect to explosions).
>
> Yet, as I dig on the web, I find that plastic soda bottles are supposed to
> explode at 120 to 150psi.
> http://community.nbtsc.org/wiki/HomeMadeSoda
>
> Obviously I need more data.
>
> Do you have data points showing when soda bottles explode?
>
> PS: If there's a soda or carbon dioxide related newsgroup for home
> carbonation, please let me know.

Be careful you know they don't check them all, only a significantly large statistically relevant sample. A bad batch of plastic and not all the defectives may be removed be fore shipping.

Ashton Crusher

unread,
May 2, 2015, 10:43:33 PM5/2/15
to
Some of the benefits most certainly are from the physical properties
of the gas. Aside from the benefits due simply to lack of water
vapor, the hydrogen migrates less thru the tire structure and that
makes the tire pressure stay up longer then when you use plain old
air. In addition, the nitrogen does not oxidize the tire materials
the way the oxygen in plain old air does and that also is beneficial
to tire life. All that said, for most people the benefits of nitrogen
are relatively small and if you pay much for it you may not recover
that extra cost. For truckers the benefits are much
greater,particularly the benefits of the tire components not being
oxidized since they will retread a truck tire many times over it's
carcass life. And with nitrogen the carcass will last longer.

Elmo

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 4:34:49 PM4/6/10
to

LM

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 4:43:42 PM4/6/10
to
On Tue, 6 Apr 2010 20:34:49 +0000 (UTC), Elmo wrote:
> Nothing happened (with respect to explosions).
> Do you have data points showing when soda bottles explode?

They do explode.
http://www.stevespangler.com/teaching-moments/soda-bottle-explodes-like-a-bomb/

The question is the pressure at which they explode.

Glass bottles explode from 70 to 100psi.
Soda bottles can go way over 200 psi.

Call Coca Cola's information line 800-438-2653, 800-638-3286, or
800-888-6488 and let us know what they tell you.

mike

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 4:47:03 PM4/6/10
to
On Apr 6, 1:34 pm, Elmo <dcdraftwo...@Use-Author-Supplied-

Address.invalid> wrote:
> Anyone know at what PSI a typical plastic soda bottle explodes?
>
> I've built a home carbonation system. The gauges say I've put in 150PSI of
> C02 into the Trader Joe's (admittedly thick) carbonated water bottles.
>
> Nothing happened (with respect to explosions).
>
> Yet, as I dig on the web, I find that plastic soda bottles are supposed to
> explode at 120 to 150psi.http://community.nbtsc.org/wiki/HomeMadeSoda

>
> Obviously I need more data.
>
> Do you have data points showing when soda bottles explode?
>
> PS: If there's a soda or carbon dioxide related newsgroup for home
> carbonation, please let me know.

If you don't believe your own gauges, why would you believe anonymous
blather posted on the net? If you think your gauges are messed up,
try different gauges and see.

Elmo

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 4:55:25 PM4/6/10
to
On Tue, 6 Apr 2010 13:43:42 -0700, LM wrote:

> Glass bottles explode from 70 to 100psi.
> Soda bottles can go way over 200 psi.
> Call Coca Cola's information line 800-438-2653

I'm on the line with them right now! They are very helpful!

They do the research for you, while you wait. So far, the woman says the
maximum psi the package can withstand is based on the volume of carbonation
and type of fluid it contains.

Digging more, she says every one of their carbonated PET containers from 20
ounces to 2 liters can withstand the industry standard 150 psi. In
addition, some Coke products have PET packaging that can withstand up to
250 psi (it all depends on the type of product in the package).

They're gonna send me via email WHICH bottles can withstand 250 psi as the
lady said she had to sent that over to the Research Department.

Of course, I'm using Trader Joe's (very thick) plastic bottles so I'm not
sure how much of this applies; but, maybe that explains why I had no
explosions at 150psi yesterday.

It's great to learn from everyone here. If you have any information about
when a soda bottle explodes, please post the reference here!

Stormin Mormon

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 5:00:00 PM4/6/10
to
At 150 PSI, they would be useful as expansion tanks for air
compressors. Now, someone to make a manifold so we can
string together a bunch of two or three liter bottles.
Watch. Harbor Freight will have them next week.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.


"Elmo" <dcdraf...@Use-Author-Supplied-Address.invalid>

wrote in message news:hpg73t$392$1...@tioat.net...

Elmo

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 5:01:33 PM4/6/10
to
On Tue, 6 Apr 2010 13:47:03 -0700 (PDT), mike wrote:

> If you don't believe your own gauges, why would you believe anonymous
> blather posted on the net? If you think your gauges are messed up,
> try different gauges and see.

My gauges are old. I don't want blather. I want facts. And references.

I always search first, so, I already did my search and posted the results.
But maybe someone else out there is a better searcher than I am and can
provide a reference. Surely I'm not the best there is.

I did follow up on the suggestion to call Coke (even though I'm using
Trader Joe's bottles).

The Coke plastic PETE bottles (from 20 oz to 2 liters) are either tested to
150 psi or to 250 psi (I'm waiting for them to confirm by mail which ones).

It would be nice to have more references though as I can't be the best
Internest searchist out there....

DerbyDad03

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 5:05:36 PM4/6/10
to
On Apr 6, 4:34 pm, Elmo <dcdraftwo...@Use-Author-Supplied-

Address.invalid> wrote:
> Anyone know at what PSI a typical plastic soda bottle explodes?
>
> I've built a home carbonation system. The gauges say I've put in 150PSI of
> C02 into the Trader Joe's (admittedly thick) carbonated water bottles.
>
> Nothing happened (with respect to explosions).
>
> Yet, as I dig on the web, I find that plastic soda bottles are supposed to
> explode at 120 to 150psi.http://community.nbtsc.org/wiki/HomeMadeSoda

>
> Obviously I need more data.
>
> Do you have data points showing when soda bottles explode?
>
> PS: If there's a soda or carbon dioxide related newsgroup for home
> carbonation, please let me know.

Stolen without permission from http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/11/episode_42_steel_toe_amputatio.html

Bottle Rocket Blast Off
Myth: You can launch someone 30-40ft with a bottle-rocket-powered
backpack.

"At 60 psi they would need 28 bottles, which is more than the 15 used
in the game show clip, so they decided to see how much more pressure
they could put into the bottles. Using a bike pump they were able to
get a the soda bottles up to 95 psi before their arms gave out. In
order to find the failure point of the bottles they hooked up the
pneumatic pump from Grant's "Deadblow" battle robot. The soda bottles
exploded at 150 psi and the water cooler bottles exploded at 95 psi,
so they decided that using soda bottles was better for the test even
though they got much more lift out of the water cooler bottle."

LM

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 5:08:07 PM4/6/10
to
On Tue, 6 Apr 2010 17:00:00 -0400, Stormin Mormon wrote:

> At 150 PSI, they would be useful as expansion tanks for air
> compressors.

Interesting idea!

1. Buy copper pipe
2. Drill ten holes 2 inches apart in the steel pipe for the threaded bolts
3. Tap the ten holes in the galvanized steel pipe for the threaded bolts
3. Drill an axial hole through the center of ten threaded bolts
4. Drill a hole through the center of ten soda caps for the threaded bolts
5. Screw the ten threaded bolts into the caps and then into the steel pipe
6. Cap one end of the steel pipe & place a chuck on the other end
7. Chuck the other end of the steel pipe onto your CO2 regulator hose
6. Screw ten 2 liter soda bottles onto the ten caps bolted to the pipe
7. Turn on the C02 gas and pressurize the twenty liters to 150psi
8. Remove the chuck
9. You now have 20 liters of 150psi portable C02!

QUESTION:
How many liters of gas does a typical automotive car tire take anyway?

Elmo

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 5:12:07 PM4/6/10
to
On Tue, 6 Apr 2010 14:05:36 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03 wrote:

> http://community.nbtsc.org/wiki/HomeMadeSoda
> http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/11/episode_4=2_steel_toe_amputatio.html


> soda bottles exploded at 150 psi

> water cooler bottles exploded at 95 psi,

That's interesing. Thanks for the reference!

I wonder why Coke said ALL their PET bottles (from 20 oz to 2 liters) ar

How can we find the "industry standard" for soda bottles?

JIMMIE

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 5:16:36 PM4/6/10
to
On Apr 6, 5:01 pm, Elmo <dcdraftwo...@Use-Author-Supplied-

Coke bottles used for water heater expansion tank

Jimmie

hal...@aol.com

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 6:00:34 PM4/6/10
to
> Jimmie- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I can assure you having seen a sprite truck lose 100 or so cases out
the back of a tractor trailer, its roll up door must not of been
secured and his inventory fell out the back some bottles expoloded and
many leaked at the caps.

explosion appeared to depend on agitating bottles.

the police got upset when I called 911 I asked for the reps ID number
and pointed out the truck left, not knowing of the mess it was leaving
behind it, and all this debris were going to cause a accident.......

telpehone cop said he woud send a car.

wish I had a camera it would of been nice for americas funniest hme
videos or u tube.......

Stormin Mormon

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 6:02:26 PM4/6/10
to
I'd have to tape measure one, and calculate it out. I'd
figure a passenger car tire at maybe 3 to 5 liters of air
space, at 35 PSI. Starting at 150, you'd get some where.

When we used to be able to get freon tank conversions. I
found that a 30 pound tank starting at 150 PSI would fill
one car tire from zero to about 28 PSI.

Easier to make a sort of manifold by drilling through the
cap, and then fasten the cap to the maifold. Use close
nipple, and a fitting in and out of the soda pop cap. Then,
screw the bottle on. Eventually, you'd need a new cap or a
new bottle. But they are cheap enough.

Soda bottle as water pipe expansion tank sounds good. At
least you can see if it's water logged.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.


"LM" <xxxvte.lisa...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:hpg7rt$hoo$1...@speranza.aioe.org...

Roger Shoaf

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 6:12:56 PM4/6/10
to

"Elmo" <dcdraf...@Use-Author-Supplied-Address.invalid> wrote in message
news:hpg5t9$2ve$1...@tioat.net...

Not a news group but you may find the answers you seek here:
http://www.truetex.com/carbonation.htm


Existential Angst

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 6:55:23 PM4/6/10
to
<sa...@dog.com> wrote in message
news:mrdnr592aec5fhghs...@4ax.com...

> On Tue, 6 Apr 2010 20:34:49 +0000 (UTC), Elmo
> I have a compressed air horn on my bicycle that uses a soda bottle as
> the presssure tank. It has warnings all over it not to exceed 70 PSI,
> and that is for a soda bottle that has had an additional safety sleeve
> on it to prevent flying shards.

The horn proly doesn't need more than 20-30 psi -- I'da thought a hose
straight to your ass would produce that easily, on command.
I thought you were a Greenie, anyway....
--
EA


>
> The plastic gets brittle when cold, so that would be an additional
> factor to consider.
>
>
>
> I cannot imagine why you would want anywhere near 150 PSI for soda.
>


Elmo

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 7:12:16 PM4/6/10
to
On Tue, 06 Apr 2010 19:00:00 -0400, sa...@dog.com wrote:

> The horn needs 70 PSI. When it gets down to 20, it's not very loud.

How do you pressurize it?

Do you use an air pump or C02 tank?

Judy Zappacosta

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 7:45:30 PM4/6/10
to
On Tue, 6 Apr 2010 20:34:49 +0000 (UTC), Elmo wrote:

> Anyone know at what PSI a typical plastic soda bottle explodes?

Thank God for young boys. Empirical data is only a video away!

"A typical two-liter soda bottle can generally reach the pressure of 100
psi (690 kPa) safely"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_rocket

How to make a soda bottle explode (slow motion):
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/991622/soda_bottle_explosion_steps_on_how_to/

Blowing up 2 liter soda bottle (skip to 5:00 min for the explosion):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuXhze-xyiw

Coke Bottle PSI Bombs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5rugiELG5Q

Soda bottle bomb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyGsO5S_DhU

Launching Pressurized Bottle Rockets @100 psi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUadbuuFktM

Exploding bottles with Dry Ice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlqZUyXjKZo

How to Make a LOUD Water Bottle Bomb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3j9EFhKvAw

Twayne

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 7:59:42 PM4/6/10
to
In news:hpg5t9$2ve$1...@tioat.net,
Elmo <dcdraf...@Use-Author-Supplied-Address.invalid> typed:

Good grief: If a bottle broke open it because it froze, that
had to do with the expansion of the contents, not the
carbonation. You can do the same thing with plain water for
pete's sake.

Many people hoodwinked here - it had nothing to do with the
carbonation and knowing the exploding point of the bottles
isn't much use when it's pressure from freezing and expanding
contents inside the plastic, and even less to do with home
carbonation. When liquid cools, it expands - which can burst
bottles, metal pipes, whatever.

Don Klipstein

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 8:27:53 PM4/6/10
to

I would advise to have your pressurized bottle located in a location
where an explosion is tolerable. I would not bet my life or the house on
the pressure to be used to not exceed what it should not exceed, or the
bottle to not have a flaw or damage (possibly incurred after its
manufacture) that causes it to fail to withstand what it's supposed to
withstand.

- Don Klipstein (d...@misty.com)

Don Klipstein

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 8:52:17 PM4/6/10
to

Eyeball-estimate - roughly a torus that on largish side has a
tubular cross section whose diameter is 20 cm, and with a 50 cm diameter
of the tube's "centerline". Volume of such a "largish tire" would in
cubic centimeters be 20 squared times pi/4 tomes 50 times pi, or 49,348
cubic centimeters. Divide by 1,000 to get liters - about 49.

That does sound to me large for a tire, maybe about right for a tire for
a large SUV. Also, most car and SUV tires are not inflated past 36 PSI.
50 liters at 36 PSI, if compressed to 150 PSI, takes up 12 liters.

One more thing - CO2 has slightly different dynamics in compressibility
than air does, due to its lower specific heat ratio. CO2 at 32 PSI in a
14 PSI atmosphere has the same "stiffness" as air would have at about 28.5
PSI. The vehicle's ride and "road feel" and how much the tires get mashed
by bumps and potholes would be as if the tires were underinflated about
11%. The specific heat ratio of a gas alters its compressibility when it
is compressed or expanded quickly enough to have its temperature respond
to the change in pressure rather than being held by heat conduction to the
ambient temperature.

However, the wear rate and wear pattern would be determined more by the
pressure alone. Compensating with a higher pressure would concentrate the
wear towards the "centerline" of the tread.

Also, pressure alone contributes to much of the stress that parts of the
tire must face and the shape of the tire and its contact patch when it is
supporting a load. This affects its traction on wet roadways at
higher speeds. These factors can severely limit use of higher pressure
just because the gas is more compressible in a "dynamic sense".

- Don Klipstein (d...@misty.com)

Don Klipstein

unread,
Apr 6, 2010, 8:57:33 PM4/6/10
to
In <ea0d922b-34a1-47e8...@5g2000yqj.googlegroups.com>,
JIMMIE wrote:

I would be leary about the ability to withstand 150 or 120 PSI being
valid at the highest temperature that can be encountered in this
application. I have had experience with boiling water causing PET soda
bottles to soften and go out of shape without any significant pressure at
all.

- Don Klipstein (d...@misty.com)

bigeth...@gmail.com

unread,
Mar 16, 2016, 11:51:22 PM3/16/16
to
I've heard that you can use metal lamp connector rods that are threaded on both ends. Apparently someone did that with water bottle rockets. http://h2orocket.com/water-rockets/lamp-rod-rockets/

Tom Lifeson

unread,
Jun 13, 2018, 9:44:06 AM6/13/18
to
replying to tmovoice, Tom Lifeson wrote:
When I was stationed in California, back in the 80's, I used to belong to the
"Soda Butler" service. Monthly they'd bring a new CO2 cylinder, the soda
syrups of your desire, and new 2 liter bottles, if need be. The regulator was
set to 5psi. You'd add syrup to a line, fill with filtered water, unless you
liked chlorine tainted soda, place the special cap on the bottle, (which had a
heavy duty schrader valve) connect the hose to the bottle cap valve, and
shake, shake, shake. I found that the longer you shaked the more CO2 would
"scrub" into the liquid, so I could control the amount of fizz. It was a great
system as I never had any flat soda, no matter how long it was left in the
fridge, just scrub (shake) more CO2 into the liquid and like magic, fresh
fizzy soda. Shaking was mandatory to scrub CO2 into the liquid at 5 psi! Hope
this helps!

--
for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/at-what-psi-does-a-plastic-soda-bottle-explode-home-co2-ca-434649-.htm


Nobudyin Particular

unread,
Apr 21, 2020, 9:14:06 AM4/21/20
to
replying to Elmo, Nobudyin Particular wrote:
> Anyone know at what PSI a typical plastic soda bottle explodes?
After reading the entire 1st page, except for Elmo who actually called COKE,
all I see is flapping of lips to mask feeblemindness of self-importance.

Lenp

unread,
Dec 13, 2020, 12:31:26 PM12/13/20
to
> At 150 PSI, they would be useful as expansion tanks for air compressors. Now, someone to make a manifold so we can string together a bunch of two or three liter bottles. Watch. Harbor Freight will have them next week.
==============================
Careful!
If the plastic bottles are right off the compressor the air will be hot and that's a game changer for the plastic bottle specifications. It may work if the bottle storage was well down stream, and away from the heated air, maybe at the point of use. While It may be tempting
to reuse bottle caps for a DIY manifold, I wonder if the cap 'seals' are for tamper proofing or do they aid in securing the cap with higher pressures? I don't know but it could be exciting to find out! I think metal, or solid plastic caps are available online that would be more suitable. I use 2L bottles, pressurized to about 50 PSI to dispense lubricant to a CNC router cutter when machining aluminum. So far there's been no problem at that pressure and I reused a cap. The lube is water based and there's been no plastic reactions either.
Might be a worthwhile idea idea to put the 'air bottle' in a PVC tube just in case there is a problem. I have my 'dispenser' bottle in a PVC pipe with a glued bottom cap and a slip fit top cap to allow pressure release and changing, yet still provide fluid containment which should help any embarrassing Uh Oh's ! Good luck, and post your success. Remember that there are 'no failures'. They are just a long list of things that don't work!

--
For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/at-what-psi-does-a-plastic-soda-bottle-explode-home-co2-ca-434649-.htm

Nobudyin Particular

unread,
Dec 14, 2020, 11:31:17 AM12/14/20
to
Elmo,To say at what P.S.I a plastic soda bottle will rupture is not possible due to the numerous manufactures that produce soda bottles at a non-standard thickness or grade of material. WHOLY SH^T Elmo! 150 PSI??!! DUDE BE CAREFUL! you can loose a finger with that much PSI. Check out this expierment. m
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N0_R27hYSI
I hope you see the danger your playing with.

"\"Re...@home.com

unread,
Dec 14, 2020, 11:37:42 AM12/14/20
to
On 12/14/20 11:31 AM, Nobudyin Particular wrote:
> Elmo,To say at what P.S.I a plastic soda bottle will rupture is not
> possible due to the numerous manufactures that produce soda bottles at a
> non-standard thickness or grade of material.  WHOLY SH^T Elmo! 150
> PSI??!! DUDE BE CAREFUL! you can loose a finger with that much PSI.
> Check out this expierment. m https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N0_R27hYSI
> I hope you see the danger your playing with.
>

At a MS science competition last year involving launching plastic
bottles as rockets, the pressure was limited to 65 PSI. How this number
was decided on IDK.

Bob F

unread,
Dec 15, 2020, 12:47:24 AM12/15/20
to
On 12/14/2020 8:31 AM, Nobudyin Particular wrote:
> Elmo,To say at what P.S.I a plastic soda bottle will rupture is not
> possible due to the numerous manufactures that produce soda bottles at a
> non-standard thickness or grade of material.  WHOLY SH^T Elmo! 150
> PSI??!! DUDE BE CAREFUL! you can loose a finger with that much PSI.
> Check out this expierment. m https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N0_R27hYSI
> I hope you see the danger your playing with.
>

That looked like a lousy bottle, and the bottle never broke. It was the
cap that did, every time. Drilling holes in the cap does not help it's
strength.

I've had bottles of cider that naturally fermented that were rock hard.
It took me days of frequent slow bleeding by loosening the cap a tiny
bit to get them down to where I could open them to drink. I have never
had one break. 2L bottles.
0 new messages