Rupture Discs Are Designed to Fail. That's Their Job.

Rupture disc and holder
(courtesy of Continental Disc)

A rupture disc (pressure safety disc, burst disc, bursting disc) is a “one and done” pressure relief device most often used to protect a vessel, pipe, or container from over pressurization. As opposed to pressure relief valves, rupture discs are designed to function only one time by providing an instantaneous response to an over-pressure condition.

These sacrificial parts are designed to burst when pressure within production equipment exceeds a certain threshold by breaking down, stopping the process to prevent or mitigate hazardous events. Rupture discs are critical instruments utilized so that companies can ensure process safety as set forth by the International Safety Standards (IEC 61508/61511).

Rupture discs prove most effective when they fail according to pre-established specifications. Inferior rupture discs often cause unnecessary and expensive production shutdowns due to the lack of quality testing and expertise in manufacturing.

Rupture discs are commonly used in chemical, petrochemical, nuclear, aerospace, medical, railroad, pharmaceutical, food processing and gas & oil applications. They provide primary or backup protection. Very often rupture discs are used in tandem with safety relief valves, protecting them from the process media and extending the life of the relief valve.

For more on rupture disc's call Swanson Flo at 800-288-7926 or visit http://www.swansonflo.com.

Continental Disc HPX Rupture Disc Family from Swanson Flo