Explosion-proof inserts for fuel tanks (and tankers?)
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by Paul Brockington FIRING incendiary bullets from a high-velocity gun at close range into drums partly filled with petrol or acetone was a highlight of a demonstration on Tuesday. Petrol leaking from two drums having inserts of a new aluminium cellular material called Explosafe burned slowly and the drums did not explode, but the two untreated drums were blown to pieces by explosions. The melting point of the material, which occupies 0.5 per cent of the container volume, is 650°C.
Explosafe is produced in this country by Expamet In dustrial Products Ltd, a subsidiary of Expanded Metal Co Ltd, in association with Explosafe International NV, 16 Caxton Street, London SW1H ORA. The demonstration was held in association with the Ministry of Defence in Fleet, Hampshire. As shown by a number of demonstrations Explosafe would undoubtedly prevent explosions •caused by an intense fire surrounding the tank. Although the cost of the material is 30-50p per gallon of fuel in the container, it could well be acceptable for safeguarding tankers carrying fuels, solvents or other inflammable liquids.