Samui Easytek Cylinder Hydrostatic Test Rig & Visual Inspection Area
World wide, several scuba tanks made from a faulty 6351 Aluminium alloy have
exploded, killing a number of divers and tank fillers. The explosions were
caused by microscopic SLC cracks growing in the neck area of the scuba cylinder,
that escaped the critical eyes of even experienced cylinder inspectors during
the cylinders mandatory periodic inspections.
To prevent the same problem happening, scuba cylinder manufacturers and some
governments now call for a mandatory magnetic eddy current NDT test of the
effected area. This technique has been used successfully in the aircraft
industry for many years to prevent dangerous cracks in critical components
causing the premature failure of the airframe in flight.
Scuba cylinder hydrostatic test facility
A typical scuba cylinder Hydrostatic Test rig carries out calibrated expansion tests on high
pressure cylinders in the pressure range 0-10,000psi. Scuba Tanks are subject to
a hydrostatic test typically every 5 years where they are subject to an
expansion test at approximately 5/3 there normal working pressure.
Paradoxically, it is rare for a scuba tank to fail this high pressure test, the
majority being 'condemned and removed from service after noticing a critical
fault during visual inspection.
In recent years, some older aluminium scuba tanks made from a
particular alloy prior to 1988 have exhibited progressive cracking in the neck
area leading to a number of tanks exploding killing the tank filler or
compressor operator located nearby. These Static Load Cracks or SLC cracks are
often difficult or impossible to locate by visual means.
Samui Easytek Co Ltd is
the only facility in Thailand to use the latest NDT (Non Destructive Testing) Eddy
Current techniques and approved by the major cylinder manufacturers to evaluate cracks in the neck area of scuba tanks.
Key Benefits
- Hydrostatic testing 0-10,000psi
- Full Visual testing to American (DOT), European and British Standards
- NDT Eddy Current testing for SLC cracks in the neck area
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