[geeks] Geek-gun?

[James Lockwood]

On Tue, 18 Jun 2002, Fogg, James wrote:

> ~ 6. Black iron pipe fixes both of the previous problems.
>
> This too makes deadly shrapnell (pipe bomb experiments). It just takes great
> instant pressure to rupture. I'm sure somebody somewhere will figure out how
> to exceed its capacity with a tatergun.

Black iron pipe has a resistance welded seam running along the side.
Unlike most commercial steel pipes it deforms before rupturing, and when
rupturing tends to split rather than fragment.  Still, it is dangerous.

Oxy-acet mix has a typical vdet of around 1900m/s, but has a very low
density at STP so brisance is low.  Most failures I've had with PVC seem
to be due to stress fracturing over time.  I suspect that it is impossible
to fracture a 4"'ish diameter steel pipe with atmospheric pressure
oxy-acetylene, though I would trust empirical data over calculations here.
:)

BP/nitrocellulose is a different story, it is much more brisant (though
not as much as HE blasting agents such as ANFO despite relatively low
vdet).

-James