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Explosive decompression (ED) is a sudden drop in pressure that occurs in 0.1 seconds or less. For example, rubber gaskets used to seal pressurised vessels and pipelines tend to become saturated with high-pressure gases. If the pressure inside the vessel is released too rapidly, the gases within the rubber gasket expand violently, causing blistering or explosion of the material. For this reason, it is common for military and industrial equipment to be subjected to an explosive decompression test before it is certified as safe for use.
In extreme cases, explosive decompression may also occur when an aircraft or spacecraft cabin is suddenly ruptured. However, the pressure drop in this situation often takes longer than 0.1 second, and is then more accurately described as rapid decompression.
National and international standards for explosive decompression testing include:
- MIL-STD-810, 202
- RTCA/D0-160
- NORSOK M710
- API 17K and 17J
- NACE TM0192 and TM0297
- TOTALELFFINA SP TCS 142 Appendix H
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