Making a pressure vessel out of an oil barrel

AI Thread Summary
Building a pressure vessel from an oil barrel for casting polyurethane is highly unsafe and not recommended. Oil barrels are not designed to withstand significant internal pressure, such as 60 PSI, and can easily rupture, posing lethal risks. The stored energy in compressed air at this pressure can lead to catastrophic failures. Historical incidents highlight the dangers of using inappropriate containers for pressure applications, emphasizing the need for a properly rated autoclave instead. It is crucial to prioritize safety and avoid using oil barrels for this purpose.
lemming73
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Hi,
I want to build a pressure vessel for casting Polyurethane under pressure.

Does anyone know if it is safe to put an oil barrel under a pressure of 60 PSI ?

(It has to be a barrel that can be opened and closed with a lid, other wise I can't put the mold in. :smile: )
 
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Please do not even consider this approach. These barrels are not designed for any significant internal pressure, and could easily rupture, possibly killing anyone nearby. 60psi does not seem like a very high pressure, but this amount of compressed air, in a large volume, carries a significant amount of stored energy. You basically need some sort of autoclave vessel that is rated for the required pressures.
 
RocketSci5KN said:
Please do not even consider this approach. These barrels are not designed for any significant internal pressure, , possibly killing anyone nearby. 60psi does not seem like a very high pressure, in a large volume, carries a significant amount of stored energy. =required pressures.
I just registered on this site because I must warn you that tin oil barrel may Kill you . My racing buddy Rick Alexander is dead because the head of an oil drum struck his chest and face. They are just crimped on. Do not apply pressure to them.!
 
Thanks for the advice, ofcourse I would rather have heard the opposite, but
I am not goiing to try this.
 
lemming73 said:
Thanks for the advice, ofcourse I would rather have heard the opposite, but
I am not goiing to try this.

Good choice. And, Flathead, my condolences on the loss of your friend.
 
lemming73 said:
Thanks for the advice, ofcourse I would rather have heard the opposite, but
I am not goiing to try this.
Thank you for heeding the advice you got here. Many, many people have been killed by truck tires on segmented wheels that failed, and they are designed for the pressure they operate at. Oil drums are certainly not. I have seen oil drums with badly bulging heads because they were left "empty" out in the sun with the bung stoppers threaded too tightly to allow the volatile contents to vent.
 
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